How will stool consistency be affected after a colectomy with placement of an ileostomy?
What information should be included in teaching about stool consistency after a colectomy with an ileostomy?
What is the primary texture of stool after a colectomy with an ileostomy?
1) The stool will have a pasty texture
2) The stool will have a high volume of liquid
3) The stool will be solid and well-formed
4) The stool will appear bloody with clots
Answer:
After a colectomy with an ileostomy, the stool will primarily have a high volume of liquid due to reduced water absorption, as the chyme bypasses the large intestine where solidifying normally occurs. The nurse should teach the client to expect this liquid consistency in the stool collected in the ileostomy bag.
When a client undergoes a colectomy with placement of an ileostomy, it is crucial to understand how stool consistency will be affected. The colon, which is responsible for water absorption and solidifying stool, is bypassed in this surgery, leading to changes in stool consistency.
Normally, stool passes through the large intestine allowing for water reabsorption, resulting in a solid and well-formed stool. However, after a colectomy with an ileostomy, the chyme does not have the time to be in the colon for water reabsorption to occur. As a result, the stool collected in the ileostomy bag will primarily be in a liquid form.
It is essential for the nurse to educate the client about this change in stool consistency to prepare them for what to expect post-surgery. While some clients may notice occasional thickening of output to a pasty texture, the high liquid content is more typical.
Thus, the information to include in teaching about stool consistency after a colectomy with an ileostomy is that the stool will have a high volume of liquid. This difference in stool consistency is a direct result of the surgery and the alteration in the digestive process.