What continues to be produced and expelled from remaining intestines and colon beyond a stoma even if closed or not connected after surgery?

• A. Blood
• B. Enzymes
• C. Mucous
• D. Pus

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that the intestinal lining keeps producing mucus regardless of a stoma. Goblet cells in the intestinal mucosa continuously secrete mucus to lubricate and protect the lining. When a stoma is present but not connected to the downstream bowel, the distal bowel (the part beyond the stoma) still functions and can expel mucus through the rectum or anus. This mucus discharge is a normal, ongoing secretion, not a sign of infection or active disease.

Blood, enzymes, and pus aren’t typically produced or expelled in this ongoing, normal way from the remaining bowel. Blood would suggest bleeding, pus suggests infection, and while digestive enzymes are secreted into the lumen, they aren’t the continual visible discharge from the distal bowel like mucus is.