What should be done to the stoma during ostomy care?

During ostomy care, it's essential to inspect the stoma for moisture and color. This is because the stoma's appearance can provide valuable information about the patient's health status. A healthy stoma should be red or pink, moist, and free from any signs of irritation or necrosis. Changes in the color or moisture level, such as pallor or excessive dryness, may indicate potential complications that require further assessment and intervention.

Monitoring these characteristics helps in assessing the stoma's viability and ensuring proper functioning, which is vital for the patient's overall well-being. Regular inspection also allows for early detection of issues, facilitating timely modifications in care or consultation with healthcare professionals if any abnormalities arise. This proactive approach contributes to effective and compassionate ostomy management.

Other options like measuring the stoma opening size or applying topical antibiotics are generally not necessary for routine care and may not effectively support the healing and monitoring process that regular inspection does. Covering the stoma with a bandage would interfere with the function of the ostomy and could lead to complications, further emphasizing the importance of inspection over these other actions.