Question

Leila was diagnosed with a bowel issue and now uses a colostomy bag, a plastic pouch connected directly to her intestines all day. Because she has little control over when the bag fills, she often has to run out of class on short notice to empty the bag and clean everything. However, she is embarrassed to tell her teachers about this; eventually her inability to manage things leads to an infection. What term best describes the issue Leila is facing?

A.
acupuncture
B.
stigma
C.
malnutrition
D.
cauterization

Answer 1

Leila is experiencing stigma, which describes the embarrassment and shame that prevents her from discussing her colostomy bag usage with her teachers, potentially leading to further complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

Leila, who was diagnosed with a bowel issue and uses a colostomy bag, is facing an issue best described as stigma. The term stigma refers to the shame or social disapproval attached to particular circumstances, appearances, or illnesses that can lead to people feeling embarrassed and unwilling to disclose their situation. This can prevent individuals like Leila from seeking help or accommodations, potentially leading to complications like infections from improperly managed medical devices.