CARING FOR THE OSTOMY PATIENT

Course overview

Ostomies are created to treat various conditions including ulcerative colitis, cancer, and bowel obstruction. Nurses have tremendous impact on how a patient adapts to a new ostomy. This course increases knowledge regarding basic ostomy management, common surgical procedures, and assessment of the stoma. Diet and nutrition issues and psychological factors are also discussed. Selecting the right appliance and managing it correctly is crucial to successful ostomy care and patient focus. Course objectives include: * Name the reasons for needing an ostomy. * Identify the most common ostomy problems and their solutions. * Name the psychological problems that an ostomy patient may experience.