Ileostomy ostomates have a higher risk of which condition?

• A. Proximal food blockage.
• B. B12 deficiencies.
• C. Dehydration.
• D. Kidney stones.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that an ileostomy causes ongoing, high-volume fluid and electrolyte losses because the colon, which normally reclaims most of the water from stool, is bypassed. The ileostomy output is typically liquid and continuous, so the body can become dehydrated if fluid intake doesn’t keep pace or if losses are especially large. This makes dehydration the most consistent and immediate risk for someone with an ileostomy, particularly in the early post-op period, during hot weather, or if there’s illness that increases losses.

B12 deficiency can occur if the terminal ileum is removed or bypassed, but that tends to develop over a longer period and isn’t as universally present as dehydration. Proximal food blockage is a possible issue in some cases but is not as common or directly tied to the overall risk profile as dehydration. Kidney stones aren’t a defining risk specific to having an ileostomy.