A nurse is reinforcing teaching with another nurse about how change an ostomy appliance for a client who has sigmoid colostomy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
Explanation & Rationale
A) Use a moisturizing soap to clean the skin around the client's stoma: Using a moisturizing soap is not recommended for cleaning the skin around the stoma. Moisturizing soaps can leave a residue that may interfere with the adhesion of the ostomy appliance. The skin around the stoma should be cleaned with warm water and mild soap that does not contain lotions, fragrances, or oils. This helps ensure the skin is clean and dry, promoting better adhesion of the skin barrier. B) Create an opening on the skin barrier that is 1.27 cm (0.5 in) larger than the client's stoma: The opening in the skin barrier should be about 1/8 inch (approximately 0.32 cm) larger than the stoma's diameter, not 1.27 cm (0.5 in) larger. A larger opening can cause the skin barrier to fit too loosely, leading to leakage and skin irritation. The skin barrier should fit snugly around the stoma to prevent any leakage and protect the surrounding skin. C) Empty the client's ostomy pouch before removing the skin barrier: It is essential to empty the ostomy pouch before removing the skin barrier to prevent fecal material from spilling or leaking during the appliance change. This helps maintain cleanliness, reduces the risk of skin irritation, and makes the procedure more comfortable for both the client and the nurse. D) Change the client's ostomy appliance 1 hour after breakfast: There is no specific time required after breakfast to change the ostomy appliance. The timing of appliance changes should be based on the client's individual needs and lifestyle, and it is more important to change the appliance when necessary (e.g., when the pouch is full or when the skin barrier is no longer intact) rather than adhering to a specific time after meals.