A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a patient.
What actions should the nurse plan to take?

Choice A rationale:

The patient does not need to catheterize the stoma multiple times a day. An ileal conduit is a type of urostomy where a small piece of the intestine, called the ileum, is used to create a new passage for urine to leave the body. One end of the ileum is attached to the ureters, and the other end is attached to a small opening in the abdomen, known as a stoma. After the surgery, urine flows from the kidneys, through the ureters and ileal conduit, and out of the stoma. The patient will wear a urostomy pouching system over the stoma to catch and hold the urine. Therefore, the statement “I need to catheterize the stoma multiple times a day” suggests that further instruction is needed because it is not accurate.

Choice B rationale:

The statement “I will need to measure my stoma each week” does not necessarily suggest that further instruction is needed. It is important for patients with an ileal conduit to monitor their stoma regularly for any changes in size, shape, or color, which could indicate complications. However, the frequency of these checks can vary depending on the individual’s condition and the healthcare provider’s instructions.

Choice C rationale:

The statement “I will always have to wear a pouch” is accurate. After the surgery, the patient’s urine will flow from the kidneys, through the ureters and ileal conduit, and out of the stoma. The patient will need to wear a urostomy pouching system over the stoma to catch and hold the urine. Therefore, this statement does not suggest that further instruction is needed.

Choice D rationale:

The statement “I need to clean around the stoma with soap and water” is accurate. It is important for patients with an ileal conduit to keep the skin around the stoma clean to prevent infection and skin irritation. Therefore, this statement does not suggest that further instruction is needed.

Choice A rationale:

The stool guaiac test does not check for bacteria in the feces. This test is used to detect hidden (occult) blood in a stool sample. It is the most common type of fecal occult blood test (FOBT)1.

Choice B rationale:

The stool guaiac test does not check for fat in the feces. The presence of fat in the feces is usually checked by a different test called a fecal fat test. The stool guaiac test is specifically designed to detect the presence of hidden blood in the stool.

Choice C rationale:

The stool guaiac test does not check for parasites in the feces. Parasites are typically detected using a stool ova and parasites (O&P) test. The stool guaiac test is used to detect hidden blood in the stool, which could be an indication of various conditions, including colon cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum.

Choice D rationale:

The stool guaiac test checks for hidden blood in the feces. This is the correct answer. The test can find blood even if you cannot see it yourself. Occult blood in the stool may indicate colon cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum, though not all cancers or polyps bleed. If blood is detected through a fecal occult blood test, additional tests may be needed to determine the source of the bleeding. The stool guaiac test can only detect the presence or absence of blood — it can’t determine what’s causing the bleeding.