1
Postoperative Ostomy and Urinary Diversion Nursing
Care Comprehensive Final Exam with 200 Questions
and Detailed Rationales|| Latest Update 2026-2027
Section 1: Health History and Assessment (Questions 1-20)
1. A nurse is obtaining a health history from a patient scheduled for ostomy
surgery. Which information is most important to include?
A. Patient's favorite foods
B. Type of ostomy procedure, reason for surgery, past health history, acute
and chronic conditions, prescribed drugs, and allergies
C. Patient's occupation only
D. Patient's exercise routine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The health history should include the type of ostomy procedure,
reason for surgery, past health history, acute and chronic conditions,
prescribed drugs, and allergies. This comprehensive information helps the
nurse plan appropriate care and identify potential complications.
,2
2. A patient with a new ostomy reports nausea, vomiting, and abdominal
cramping. Which additional symptom should the nurse assess for?
A. Increased appetite
B. Weakness, thirst, and muscle cramps
C. Improved bowel sounds
D. Weight gain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Common symptoms to review in a patient with an ostomy include
pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, weakness, thirst, and
muscle cramps. These symptoms may indicate fluid and electrolyte
imbalances or obstruction.
3. During a physical examination of a patient with an ostomy, which
assessment is essential?
A. Only vital signs
B. General survey, skin condition, mouth moisture, respiratory effort,
abdominal distention, stoma condition, drainage characteristics, extremities
warmth, and neuromuscular status
C. Only stoma appearance
D. Only bowel sounds
,3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A comprehensive physical examination for a patient with an
ostomy includes general survey, skin condition, mouth moisture, respiratory
effort, abdominal distention, stoma condition, drainage characteristics,
extremities warmth, and neuromuscular status. This thorough assessment
helps identify potential complications.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient's stoma. Which finding indicates a healthy
stoma?
A. Pale and dry
B. Beefy red
C. Bluish and cold
D. Black and necrotic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A healthy stoma appears beefy red, indicating adequate blood
supply. Pale, bluish, or black coloration indicates inadequate tissue perfusion
and requires immediate intervention.
5. A patient with an ileostomy is at risk for fluid volume deficit. Which
assessment finding indicates this complication?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Tachycardia, hypotension, and decreased urine output
C. Weight gain
D. Increased appetite
, 4
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Signs of hypovolemia in ostomy patients include tachycardia,
hypotension, decreasing urine output, and dry mucous membranes. These
findings indicate fluid volume deficit and require immediate intervention.
6. A nurse is assessing the stoma of a patient who had ostomy surgery 24
hours ago. The stoma appears pale and bluish. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Document the finding and reassess in 4 hours
B. Inform the surgeon immediately
C. Apply a warm compress
D. Increase the patient's fluid intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A pale, bluish, or black stoma indicates inadequate tissue
perfusion. The nurse must inform the surgeon immediately because surgical
intervention may be needed to restore blood flow.
7. Which assessment finding indicates inadequate tissue perfusion of the
stoma?
A. Beefy red color
B. Pale, bluish, or black appearance
C. Moist surface
D. Slight bleeding when touched
Postoperative Ostomy and Urinary Diversion Nursing
Care Comprehensive Final Exam with 200 Questions
and Detailed Rationales|| Latest Update 2026-2027
Section 1: Health History and Assessment (Questions 1-20)
1. A nurse is obtaining a health history from a patient scheduled for ostomy
surgery. Which information is most important to include?
A. Patient's favorite foods
B. Type of ostomy procedure, reason for surgery, past health history, acute
and chronic conditions, prescribed drugs, and allergies
C. Patient's occupation only
D. Patient's exercise routine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The health history should include the type of ostomy procedure,
reason for surgery, past health history, acute and chronic conditions,
prescribed drugs, and allergies. This comprehensive information helps the
nurse plan appropriate care and identify potential complications.
,2
2. A patient with a new ostomy reports nausea, vomiting, and abdominal
cramping. Which additional symptom should the nurse assess for?
A. Increased appetite
B. Weakness, thirst, and muscle cramps
C. Improved bowel sounds
D. Weight gain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Common symptoms to review in a patient with an ostomy include
pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, weakness, thirst, and
muscle cramps. These symptoms may indicate fluid and electrolyte
imbalances or obstruction.
3. During a physical examination of a patient with an ostomy, which
assessment is essential?
A. Only vital signs
B. General survey, skin condition, mouth moisture, respiratory effort,
abdominal distention, stoma condition, drainage characteristics, extremities
warmth, and neuromuscular status
C. Only stoma appearance
D. Only bowel sounds
,3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A comprehensive physical examination for a patient with an
ostomy includes general survey, skin condition, mouth moisture, respiratory
effort, abdominal distention, stoma condition, drainage characteristics,
extremities warmth, and neuromuscular status. This thorough assessment
helps identify potential complications.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient's stoma. Which finding indicates a healthy
stoma?
A. Pale and dry
B. Beefy red
C. Bluish and cold
D. Black and necrotic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A healthy stoma appears beefy red, indicating adequate blood
supply. Pale, bluish, or black coloration indicates inadequate tissue perfusion
and requires immediate intervention.
5. A patient with an ileostomy is at risk for fluid volume deficit. Which
assessment finding indicates this complication?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Tachycardia, hypotension, and decreased urine output
C. Weight gain
D. Increased appetite
, 4
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Signs of hypovolemia in ostomy patients include tachycardia,
hypotension, decreasing urine output, and dry mucous membranes. These
findings indicate fluid volume deficit and require immediate intervention.
6. A nurse is assessing the stoma of a patient who had ostomy surgery 24
hours ago. The stoma appears pale and bluish. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Document the finding and reassess in 4 hours
B. Inform the surgeon immediately
C. Apply a warm compress
D. Increase the patient's fluid intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A pale, bluish, or black stoma indicates inadequate tissue
perfusion. The nurse must inform the surgeon immediately because surgical
intervention may be needed to restore blood flow.
7. Which assessment finding indicates inadequate tissue perfusion of the
stoma?
A. Beefy red color
B. Pale, bluish, or black appearance
C. Moist surface
D. Slight bleeding when touched
