Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 74%
Simulated
The nurse is demonstrating colostomy care to a client with a newly created colostomy. The nurse demonstrates the correct cutting of the appliance by making the circle how much larger than the client's stoma?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The size of the opening for the appliance is generally cut 1/8 inch larger than the size of the client's stoma. This minimizes the amount of exposed skin but does not put pressure on the stoma. The larger sizes leave too much skin area exposed for irritation by gastrointestinal contents.