Lesson 1Peristomal skin assessment: irritant vs allergic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, candidiasis, maceration, excoriationLooks at step-by-step checks of skin around the stoma, telling apart irritant and allergic dermatitis, spotting contact dermatitis, thrush, waterlogging, and raw skin, and connecting signs to causes, prevention, and treatment choices.
Baseline inspection and palpation of peristomal skinFeatures of irritant versus allergic dermatitisRecognizing contact dermatitis from adhesivesIdentifying candidiasis and moisture-associated damageAssessment of maceration, erosion, and excoriationLesson 2Managing high-output and semi-liquid effluent: pouch choice, anti-diarrheal strategies, fluid/electrolyte considerationsDeals with checking and handling high-output or runny stoma waste, covering pouch picks, add-ons, anti-loose stool plans, diet tips, and watching fluids and salts to avoid drying out and kidney trouble.
Defining and monitoring high-output stomasPouch and accessory choices for liquid effluentDietary and pharmacologic antidiarrheal measuresFluid, electrolyte, and renal status monitoringEscalation criteria and when to involve providersLesson 3Documentation and photographic monitoring: standardized descriptors and measurement techniquesFocuses on proper recording and photo tracking of stomas and surrounding skin, using standard terms, measuring ways, getting consent, keeping privacy, and comparing over time to follow healing or worsening.
Standardized terminology for stoma descriptionMeasuring stoma size, height, and locationPhotographic technique and patient consentSecure storage and privacy considerationsUsing serial photos to track progressionLesson 4Anatomy and physiology of stomas: types, location, and expected outputsGoes over stoma structure and function, covering gut and bladder types, usual spots, building methods, and normal waste features, linking to pouch choice and problem risks.
Intestinal segments used for stoma creationTypical locations for colostomy, ileostomy, urostomyStoma structure: lumen, mucosa, and spout heightExpected effluent volume and consistency by typePhysiologic changes after diversion surgeryLesson 5Infection prevention and safe technique during appliance changes: sterile vs clean technique, hand hygiene, waste disposalLooks into stopping infections during pouch swaps, comparing sterile and clean methods, stressing hand washing, safe waste handling, room controls, and ways to cut cross-infection in different care spots.
Indications for sterile versus clean techniqueHand hygiene and glove use for ostomy carePreparing a clean, low-contamination work areaSafe disposal of used pouches and suppliesReducing cross-contamination between body sitesLesson 6Postoperative stoma assessment: color, perfusion, prolapse, retraction, mucocutaneous separationCovers planned post-op stoma checks, including colour, blood flow, swelling, bleeding, bulging out, pulling in, and skin separation, with early spotting of poor blood supply and urgent referral rules.
Immediate postoperative stoma inspection stepsAssessing color, turgor, and perfusionRecognizing prolapse and retraction changesIdentifying mucocutaneous separationUrgent findings requiring rapid escalationLesson 7Accessories and skin protection: barriers, paste, rings, strips, skin protectant films and powders, adhesive removersDetails extras and skin guards like barriers, pastes, rings, strips, films, powders, and glue removers, with uses, how-to-apply, matching, and safety for various stoma kinds.
Choosing appropriate barrier products by skin statusUse of paste, rings, and strips to fill skin foldsSkin protectant films and powders: when and howSafe and gentle use of adhesive removersAvoiding product buildup and incompatibilitiesLesson 8Risk assessment tools relevant to ostomies: Braden Scale for skin risk, stoma complication checklists, nutritional screening tools (MUST/SGA) and glucose control considerationsChecks out risk tools for ostomy folks, like Braden for skin risk, stoma problem lists, nutrition screens such as MUST and SGA, and blood sugar control's effect on healing.
Using the Braden Scale in ostomy patientsStructured stoma complication checklistsApplying MUST and SGA for nutrition riskGlycemic control and wound healing outcomesIntegrating risk scores into care planningLesson 9Stoma measurement and appliance selection: convex vs flat flanges, one-piece vs two-piece systems, flange sizes and wafer shapeExplains right stoma measuring and pouch picking, comparing curved and flat bases, single and two-part systems, and selecting base size and shape for best fit, wear time, and skin safety.
Measuring stoma diameter and contour safelySelecting flat versus convex flange designsChoosing one-piece versus two-piece systemsDetermining flange size and wafer shapeTrialing and reassessing fit over time
