Which item should be included in an ostomy note?

• A. The color and moisture of stoma
• B. The patient’s height
• C. Time of last meal
• D. The date of the last imaging

Answer: (A)

Documenting the stoma’s appearance is essential in an ostomy note. The color of the stoma reflects blood flow and viability; a healthy stoma is pink to red and moist. If the color shifts to pale, dusky, purple, or black, it can indicate compromised perfusion or ischemia and requires prompt assessment. The moisture level is also important—stomas should be moist and shiny. Dryness, cracking, or excessive skin irritation around the stoma can signal dehydration, skin problems, or issues with the appliance, all of which affect function and skin health. Recording both color and moisture provides a quick, reliable snapshot of stoma status and helps detect early complications over time.

Other items like the patient’s height, the time of the last meal, or the date of the last imaging aren’t typically part of an ostomy note because they don’t directly inform stoma health, function, or skin integrity in the same immediate way.