What landmark helps locate the edge of the rectus muscle during site marking?

• A. Nipple line and down will lead you to the edge of the rectus muscle
• B. Belly button
• C. Hip bone
• D. Xiphoid process

Answer: (A)

The main concept is using a reliable abdominal landmark to locate where the rectus abdominis ends so you can mark a safe stoma site. The nipple line provides a vertical reference that helps you identify the edge of the rectus muscle as you trace downward. The rectus abdominis runs along the front of the abdomen, and its lateral edge becomes apparent when you move down from the nipple line, guiding you to place the stoma on a flat, muscular area with good support. The belly button sits along the midline and doesn’t indicate the rectus edge, the hip bone is more related to belt line and pelvis than the muscle boundary, and the xiphoid process is up near the sternum and not useful for locating the rectus edge.