Lesson 1Pain, mobility and functional assessment tools relevant to wound and stoma careThis section reviews proven tools for evaluating pain, mobility, and functional status in patients with wounds and ostomies, noting how symptom load, walking, transfers, and self-care ability shape care plans, device choices, and rehab targets.
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 clarifies pressure injury evaluation via NPUAP/EPUAP staging, precise wound size measurement, exudate and odour assessment, and thorough peri-wound skin check to inform prevention, support choices, and treatment.
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 tackles psychosocial evaluation, covering body image issues, anxiety, depression, coping, caregiver preparedness, and health literacy, explaining their impact on compliance, self-management, and need for custom education.
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 assesses nutritional status, blood sugar control, and infection risks, focusing on screening tools, vital lab indicators, medication checks, and how shortages in these areas hinder wound healing and ostomy handling.
Screening for malnutrition and weight lossEvaluating protein and micronutrient intakeReviewing glycemic 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 outlines step-by-step stoma evaluation, including checks for size, shape, colour, and swelling, review of the mucocutaneous junction, and spotting issues like prolapse, retraction, bleeding, and poor blood supply.
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 handles systematic review of surgical abdominal wounds, including wound bed tissue types, depth, tunnels, drainage, odour, staples or sutures, and initial signs of splitting, infection, and fistula in 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 review, covering consistency, volume, frequency, gas, and odour, interpreting results for hydration, electrolyte balance, bowel activity, drug effects, and dietary or fluid needs.
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 review, focusing on spotting redness, erosion, dermatitis, and fungal issues, plus standard measurement, recording, and tools to direct specific interventions.
Classifying erythema, erosion, and ulcerationIdentifying irritant and allergic dermatitisRecognising candidiasis and other infectionsUsing measurement tools and photo documentationLinking findings to appliance fit problems
