Immediately after urinary stoma creation, which statement is true?

• A. Urine output should begin immediately.
• B. Urine output should begin after several weeks.
• C. Urine output will be absent.
• D. Urine output is unpredictable.

Answer: (A)

Urine will drain through a newly created urinary stoma right away because the ureters are connected to a bowel segment that opens to the skin. The kidneys continue producing urine, and with the conduit in place there is a direct path for urine to reach the stoma immediately. In the very early post-operative period you may see small amounts or some mucus from the bowel, but drainage through the stoma should be present from the start. If urine isn’t coming out right away, evaluate for obstruction, a kink in the conduit, edema around the stoma, or appliance occlusion, which can temporarily block flow.