In an ostomy note, which item identifies where the lumen is located?

• A. The color and moisture of stoma
• B. The location of lumen
• C. Effluent description
• D. Level of protrusion or retraction

Answer: (B)

The important idea here is that identifying where the lumen is located tells you which part of a loop ostomy is actively draining and how the stoma is oriented. In loop or double-lumen ostomies, there are two lumens visible at the skin: a proximal lumen that carries fecal contents and a distal lumen that may drain mucus or be functionally inactive. Documenting the exact location of the lumen helps you know which opening should be draining into the appliance, informs expected effluent type, and guides patient education and care planning (bag placement, skin care, and monitoring for issues).

Other aspects like color and moisture describe stoma viability, effluent description focuses on what comes out rather than where it comes from, and protrusion level notes the stoma’s height above the skin. These don’t tell you which lumen is where, so they don’t identify lumen location.