Convex barriers are used to increase protrusion for flush or retracted stomas?

• A. Flush or retracted stomas
• B. Stomas with moisture skin
• C. Protruding stomas
• D. Irregular stomas

Answer: (A)

Convex barriers are chosen to improve seal when a stoma sits flat with the skin or is recessed. The curved, inward-pressing shape of a convex barrier pushes the skin around the stoma slightly, effectively increasing the stoma’s protrusion relative to the wafer. This helps the appliance make better contact and reduces leakage for flush or retracted stomas, where a flat barrier might not seal as well. For protruding stomas, there’s already sufficient outward protrusion, so a convex barrier is usually not needed and can even apply unnecessary pressure. Therefore, convex barriers are used to increase protrusion for flush or retracted stomas.