A nurse is teaching a client who is preoperative for a sigmoid colostomy. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

A. Secure new tracheostomy ties before removing old ones. Securing the new ties before removing the old ones prevents accidental decannulation of the tracheostomy tube.

B. Use aseptic technique. Aseptic technique should be used to reduce the risk of infection during tracheostomy care.

C. Apply suction when inserting the catheter. Suction should only be applied when withdrawing the catheter, not during insertion, to prevent trauma to the trachea and bronchial tissues.

D. Clean the inner cannula with mild soap and water. The inner cannula should be cleaned with sterile saline or a prescribed solution, not with soap, to avoid irritation and infection.

A. The skin around the stoma is red: Redness around the stoma may indicate skin irritation, which is common but typically managed with proper skin care and is not always an urgent concern. However, if the redness is severe or associated with other symptoms, it should be monitored. Reporting may be necessary if it worsens.

B. The ostomy is draining frequently: Frequent drainage may be expected depending on the location of the colostomy and the client’s diet. While it should be monitored, frequent drainage alone does not necessarily indicate a problem that needs to be reported.

C. The stool is yellow-green: The color of stool can vary depending on diet, the location of the colostomy, and bile presence. Yellow-green stool is often expected in higher colostomies and may not need to be reported unless it is a sudden change.

D. The stoma is pale in color: A pale or dusky stoma can indicate compromised blood flow, which is a serious concern and should be reported to the provider immediately. A healthy stoma should be pink or red.