Lesson 1Pain, mobility and functional assessment tools relevant to wound and stoma careThis section reviews validated tools for assessing pain, mobility, and functional status in patients with wounds and ostomies, highlighting how symptom burden, gait, transfers, and self-care capacity shape care planning, device selection, and rehabilitation goals.
Selecting appropriate pain rating scalesScreening for neuropathic and procedural painEvaluating gait, transfers, and enduranceAssessing self-care ability for stoma careIncorporating findings into care planningLesson 2Pressure injury assessment using NPUAP/EPUAP staging, measuring dimensions, exudate, and peri-wound skinThis section explains pressure injury assessment using NPUAP/EPUAP staging, precise measurement of wound dimensions, evaluation of exudate and odour, and thorough peri-wound skin inspection to inform prevention, support surface choices, and treatment strategies.
Applying NPUAP/EPUAP staging criteriaIdentifying deep tissue pressure injuryMeasuring length, width, and depthAssessing exudate type and volumeEvaluating peri-wound skin and underminingLesson 3Psychosocial assessment: body image, anxiety, caregiver readiness, and health literacyThis section covers psychosocial assessment, including body image disturbance, anxiety, depression, coping, caregiver readiness, and health literacy, explaining how these elements influence adherence, self-management, and the need for tailored education in diverse settings.
Screening for anxiety and depressive symptomsExploring body image and sexual concernsAssessing coping style and support systemsEvaluating caregiver readiness and burdenAssessing health literacy and learning needsLesson 4Nutrition, glycemic control, and infection-risk screening relevant to wound healing and ostomy managementThis section reviews assessment of nutritional status, glycaemic control, and infection risk, focusing on screening tools, key laboratory markers, medication review, and how deficits in these areas delay wound healing and complicate ostomy management.
Screening for malnutrition and weight lossEvaluating protein and micronutrient intakeReviewing glycaemic control and medicationsIdentifying systemic and local infection risksIntegrating findings into care plansLesson 5Systematic stoma assessment: size, shape, colour, oedema, mucocutaneous junction, prolapse, retraction, bleedingThis section details a step-by-step stoma assessment, including inspection of size, shape, colour, and oedema, evaluation of the mucocutaneous junction, and identification of complications such as prolapse, retraction, bleeding, and ischaemia.
Measuring stoma size and contour accuratelyAssessing stoma colour, moisture, and perfusionIdentifying oedema, prolapse, and retractionEvaluating mucocutaneous junction integrityRecognising bleeding, necrosis, and ischaemiaLesson 6Assessment of surgical abdominal wounds: wound bed characteristics, depth, drainage, staples/sutures, signs of dehiscence and infectionThis section addresses systematic assessment of surgical abdominal wounds, including wound bed tissue types, depth, tunnelling, drainage, odour, staples or sutures, and early signs of dehiscence, infection, and fistula formation pertinent to ostomy patients.
Describing wound bed tissue and viabilityMeasuring wound size, depth, and tunnellingCharacterising drainage amount and odourInspecting staples, sutures, and tensionDetecting dehiscence, infection, and fistulaLesson 7Colostomy output assessment: consistency, volume, frequency, odour, and implications for hydration and electrolytesThis section concentrates on colostomy output assessment, including consistency, volume, frequency, gas, and odour, interpreting findings for hydration, electrolyte balance, bowel function, medication effects, and requirements for dietary or fluid modifications.
Describing stool consistency and formTracking output volume and frequencyRecognising high-output and constipationAssessing odour, gas, and food influencesRelating findings to hydration and labsLesson 8Peristomal skin evaluation: erythema, excoriation, dermatitis, fungal infection, and measurement techniquesThis section emphasises structured peristomal skin evaluation, focusing on recognition of erythema, erosion, dermatitis, and fungal infection, alongside standardised measurement, documentation, and use of assessment tools to direct targeted interventions.
Classifying erythema, erosion, and ulcerationIdentifying irritant and allergic dermatitisRecognising candidiasis and other infectionsUsing measurement tools and photo documentationLinking findings to appliance fit problems
