Ostomy Care UPDATED Exam | Complete
Questions with Correct Answers and
Detailed Rationales - Latest Update 2026.
1. A patient who has had an abdominoperineal
resection would need teaching about the care of which
type of ostomy?
• A) Permanent ileostomy
• B) Temporary ileostomy
• C) Permanent colostomy
• D) Temporary colostomy
Answer: C) Permanent colostomy
Rationale: An abdominoperineal resection involves
removal of the rectum, anus, and sphincter
mechanism with formation of a permanent end
colostomy .
2. A patient with ulcerative colitis is scheduled for
surgery. Which surgical procedure is the preferred
treatment?
• A) Subtotal colectomy with permanent colostomy
, • B) Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal
anastomosis
• C) Low anterior resection with temporary ileostomy
• D) Total colectomy with ileoanal anastomosis
Answer: B) Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal
anastomosis
Rationale: This is the preferred treatment for
ulcerative colitis and allows the person to resume
life without a permanent ostomy .
3. A patient with muscle-invasive bladder cancer is
scheduled for surgery. Which procedure would you
expect?
• A) Simple cystectomy
• B) ACE procedure
• C) Ileal vesicostomy
• D) Radical cystectomy
Answer: D) Radical cystectomy
Rationale: Once bladder cancer invades the muscle,
a radical cystectomy is recommended for those
healthy enough to undergo major surgery .
4. A patient with an ileostomy has a denuded area of
skin below the stoma. The patient reports frequent
,leakage from the pouching system, usually from the
bottom edge. The most likely etiology of this skin
breakdown is:
• A) Suture granulomas
• B) Allergic dermatitis
• C) Peristomal candidiasis
• D) Irritant dermatitis
Answer: D) Irritant dermatitis
Rationale: Irritant dermatitis is caused by skin
contact with irritants such as fecal effluent. Since
there is a recent history of leakage from where the
skin is raw, this is the most likely cause .
5. Which statement about colostomy effluent is correct?
• A) Ileostomy effluent is less irritating to skin than
colostomy effluent
• B) Colostomy effluent is more irritating to skin than
ileostomy effluent
• C) Ileostomy effluent is more irritating to skin due to
digestive enzymes
• D) Both types of effluent are equally irritating to skin
Answer: C) Ileostomy effluent is more irritating to
, skin due to digestive enzymes
Rationale: Ileostomy effluent contains digestive
enzymes that are highly irritating to peristomal skin,
making leakage a significant concern .
6. A patient is scheduled for a double-barrel colostomy
in the sigmoid colon. Which instruction should the
nurse include in preoperative teaching?
• A) Irrigate both stomas periodically to promote
drainage
• B) Tape a dry gauze pad over the distal stoma to
collect drainage
• C) Change the proximal stoma's appliance every
other day
• D) Expect liquid to drain from both stomas
Answer: B) Tape a dry gauze pad over the distal
stoma to collect drainage
Rationale: The distal stoma (mucous fistula) secretes
mucus but not feces; a dry gauze pad is usually
sufficient. Ostomy appliances remain in place for up
to 7 days .
Questions with Correct Answers and
Detailed Rationales - Latest Update 2026.
1. A patient who has had an abdominoperineal
resection would need teaching about the care of which
type of ostomy?
• A) Permanent ileostomy
• B) Temporary ileostomy
• C) Permanent colostomy
• D) Temporary colostomy
Answer: C) Permanent colostomy
Rationale: An abdominoperineal resection involves
removal of the rectum, anus, and sphincter
mechanism with formation of a permanent end
colostomy .
2. A patient with ulcerative colitis is scheduled for
surgery. Which surgical procedure is the preferred
treatment?
• A) Subtotal colectomy with permanent colostomy
, • B) Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal
anastomosis
• C) Low anterior resection with temporary ileostomy
• D) Total colectomy with ileoanal anastomosis
Answer: B) Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal
anastomosis
Rationale: This is the preferred treatment for
ulcerative colitis and allows the person to resume
life without a permanent ostomy .
3. A patient with muscle-invasive bladder cancer is
scheduled for surgery. Which procedure would you
expect?
• A) Simple cystectomy
• B) ACE procedure
• C) Ileal vesicostomy
• D) Radical cystectomy
Answer: D) Radical cystectomy
Rationale: Once bladder cancer invades the muscle,
a radical cystectomy is recommended for those
healthy enough to undergo major surgery .
4. A patient with an ileostomy has a denuded area of
skin below the stoma. The patient reports frequent
,leakage from the pouching system, usually from the
bottom edge. The most likely etiology of this skin
breakdown is:
• A) Suture granulomas
• B) Allergic dermatitis
• C) Peristomal candidiasis
• D) Irritant dermatitis
Answer: D) Irritant dermatitis
Rationale: Irritant dermatitis is caused by skin
contact with irritants such as fecal effluent. Since
there is a recent history of leakage from where the
skin is raw, this is the most likely cause .
5. Which statement about colostomy effluent is correct?
• A) Ileostomy effluent is less irritating to skin than
colostomy effluent
• B) Colostomy effluent is more irritating to skin than
ileostomy effluent
• C) Ileostomy effluent is more irritating to skin due to
digestive enzymes
• D) Both types of effluent are equally irritating to skin
Answer: C) Ileostomy effluent is more irritating to
, skin due to digestive enzymes
Rationale: Ileostomy effluent contains digestive
enzymes that are highly irritating to peristomal skin,
making leakage a significant concern .
6. A patient is scheduled for a double-barrel colostomy
in the sigmoid colon. Which instruction should the
nurse include in preoperative teaching?
• A) Irrigate both stomas periodically to promote
drainage
• B) Tape a dry gauze pad over the distal stoma to
collect drainage
• C) Change the proximal stoma's appliance every
other day
• D) Expect liquid to drain from both stomas
Answer: B) Tape a dry gauze pad over the distal
stoma to collect drainage
Rationale: The distal stoma (mucous fistula) secretes
mucus but not feces; a dry gauze pad is usually
sufficient. Ostomy appliances remain in place for up
to 7 days .
