Ostomy leakage

NCLEX-RN
NCLEX-PN
Basic Care and Comfort
Multiple choice
Difficulty 3 of 5

Question

A client’s ostomy wafer is leaking stool onto the surrounding skin. What should the nurse do?

Change the leaking wafer and establish a seal.✓ Correct

Leakage is a reason to change the wafer and restore the seal.
Leave the leaking wafer in place until its routine change.✗ Incorrect

Leakage calls for a change rather than waiting.
Remove the pouch and leave the barrier leaking.✗ Incorrect

The system needs a complete seal to protect the skin.
Ignore the leakage if the pouch still collects stool.✗ Incorrect

Leaking output can reach the surrounding skin.

Answer

A. Change the leaking wafer and establish a seal.

Rationale

Leakage means the barrier needs to be changed. A complete seal helps keep output away from the surrounding skin.

RememberChange a leaking ostomy wafer to protect surrounding skin.

Sources

Sources marked “Adapted from” are licensed under CC BY 4.0. We changed the material: its facts are rewritten into an original question, answer options and rationale. The original authors and publishers do not endorse SwipeExam.

Adapted from Open RN Nursing Skills, 2nd edition: Chapter 21 Facilitation of Elimination Open RN (Chippewa Valley Technical College) · License: CC BY 4.0 · Retrieved November 2, 2026 · MANAGING OSTOMIES · 2nd edition, 2023

Last verified: November 4, 2026 2 independent automated checks Question rn-bcc-00618, version 1

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