This nursing cheatsheet will help you learn about colostomy care. Colostomy care involves assessing the stoma for perfusion, skin integrity around the stoma, and the function and output of the stoma. Stoma barrier wafers and bags should be changed every 3-5 days or if there is leakage. Essential supplies include barrier cream/paste, new barrier/wafer and stoma bag, small scissors, skin prep, washcloth, warm soapy water, and towels or an incontinence padââ.
Key steps include explaining the procedure to the patient, inspecting the stoma output for color and consistency, cleaning the stoma and surrounding area without scrubbing, and ensuring the stoma is dark pink and moist. The stoma should be measured for the correct size of the pouching system, with the wafer hole cut slightly larger than the stoma. After applying skin prep, the wafer is placed, followed by the bag, ensuring it's closed and clamped appropriatelyââ. Additionally, patients should be educated on how to self-care for their stoma, even in the hospital settingââ.
