Flat barriers are needed when?

• A. When a more flexible barrier is needed for a harder abdomen
• B. When a rigid barrier is required
• C. When skin is dry
• D. When stoma is protruding

Answer: (A)

The key idea is choosing a barrier based on how the abdomen and stoma sit against the skin. Flat barriers are flexible and don’t have a curved edge, so they contour well to irregular or harder abdominal surfaces. When the abdomen is hard or thick, a more flexible barrier helps the wafer seal tightly around the peristomal area, reducing leaks. That’s why flat barriers are preferred in this situation.

Dry skin or needing a rigid, non-flexible barrier don’t drive the choice for a flat barrier. And while a protruding stoma can often seal with a flat barrier, the defining factor here is the need to accommodate a hard abdomen with a barrier that can flex and conform.