Rods and stents must be checked for which issue?

• A. Stoma color only.
• B. Output volume.
• C. Mucosa and skin for pressure injury.
• D. Depth of stoma.

Answer: (C)

Rods and stents are in direct contact with the stoma and surrounding skin, so the main issue to monitor is pressure injury to the mucosa and peristomal skin. If a rod or stent is too tight or poorly positioned, it can compress tissue and cut off blood flow, leading to tissue ischemia, ulcers, or skin breakdown around the stoma. Regular assessment should focus on signs of pressure-related damage where the device touches: redness, tenderness, blistering, skin breakdown, or mucosal irritation. If any changes are noticed, adjust or remove the device and check that the fit and placement are appropriate. While stoma color, output, and depth are important in other contexts, the specific risk with rods and stents is tissue injury from pressure.