Ostomy — assessment and teaching
A healthy stoma is pink to red, moist and slightly raised. Pale suggests anemia, dusky or black suggests ischemia and is an emergency, retracted or prolapsed needs assessment. Peristomal skin should look like the surrounding skin. Redness usually means the appliance opening is too large and effluent is touching skin. Ileostomy: liquid to pasty output, high volume, high risk of dehydration and electrolyte loss, skin very vulnerable. Colostomy: more formed output, less irritating. Empty the pouch when one third full, and change the appliance when the person is fasting.