Question

A patient care technician is caring for a patient who has a two-piece colostomy system in place. Which of the following actions should the

technician take when providing ostomy care?
Apply pressure for 30 seconds when applying the skin barrier wafer.
Cut the skin barrier wafer to be 0.64 cm (0.25 in) larger than the stoma.
Verify that the stoma is moist and reddish-pink in color.
Cleanse the skin around the stoma with hot, soapy water.

Answer 1

To provide ostomy care for a patient with a two-piece colostomy system, the technician should cut the skin barrier wafer to be 0.64 cm (0.25 in) larger than the stoma, verify the stoma's color and moisture, and cleanse the skin around the stoma with warm water and mild soap.

Step-by-step explanation:

When providing ostomy care for a patient with a two-piece colostomy system, the patient care technician should take the following actions:

1. Cut the skin barrier wafer to be 0.64 cm (0.25 in) larger than the stoma. This ensures proper fit and prevents leakage.
2. Verify that the stoma is moist and reddish-pink in color. This indicates healthy blood supply and tissue viability.
3. Cleanse the skin around the stoma with warm water and mild soap. Hot water may cause skin irritation.

Learn more about ostomy care