In the immediate postoperative period after a colostomy, which of the following is a common finding?

• A. Output is usually mucus-free and progresses quickly.
• B. Stool is produced immediately in large amounts.
• C. There may be no fecal output for several days.
• D. There is always visible mucus discharge.

Answer: (C)

After a colostomy, the bowel is temporarily not coordinated due to surgical manipulation, anesthesia, and postoperative ileus. This means the proximal limb may not start passing stool right away as the intestine regains motility. It’s common for there to be no fecal output for several days while the bowel recovers, even though mucus may be produced by the stoma glands. The other statements are less accurate for the immediate postoperative period: stool is not typically produced in large amounts right away, output isn’t guaranteed to be mucus discharge every time, and mucus discharge is not always visible.