A nurse is assessing a client's coping skills. Which of the following should the nurse identify as an internal stressor?

Choice A rationale:

Apply the skin sealant on damp skin. Rationale: Applying skin sealant on damp skin is not the recommended approach for securing an ostomy appliance. It's important to ensure that the skin is clean and dry before applying the sealant or the skin barrier. Moisture can compromise adhesion and lead to skin irritation or appliance detachment.

Choice B rationale:

Remove the appliance before emptying the pouch. Rationale: Removing the appliance before emptying the pouch is not a necessary step when changing an ostomy appliance. Typically, the pouch can be emptied without removing the entire appliance, which helps maintain the seal and reduces unnecessary skin exposure.

Choice C rationale:

Ensure that the skin is slightly damp for better adhesion of the pouch. Rationale: Ensuring that the skin is slightly damp is not advisable for better adhesion of the pouch. The skin should be completely dry before applying the pouch to ensure proper adhesion. Moisture on the skin can lead to leakage or detachment of the appliance.

Choice D rationale:

Trace the size of stoma onto the skin barrier. Rationale: This choice is the correct answer because tracing the size of the stoma onto the skin barrier ensures a precise fit, which is crucial for preventing leaks and maintaining the integrity of the ostomy. A proper fit also helps in preventing skin irritation and discomfort. Choosing the correct barrier size based on the stoma's dimensions is a key aspect of effective ostomy care.

Choice A rationale:

Dysrhythmia refers to irregular heart rhythms and is not associated with the carotid artery. It involves issues with the heart's electrical conduction system.

Choice B rationale:

A cardiac murmur is an abnormal sound heard during the heartbeat cycle, usually indicating turbulent blood flow across heart valves. It's not directly related to the carotid artery.

Choice C rationale:

Hypotension refers to low blood pressure, which might impact blood flow through the carotid artery but wouldn't directly cause the sound known as a bruit.

Choice D rationale:

A bruit heard while auscultating the carotid artery suggests a narrowed arterial lumen. A bruit is a whooshing or blowing sound caused by turbulent blood flow due to arterial narrowing or blockage.