Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing(WOCN) Ostomy Certification Practice Exam

A stoma not producing stool for several hours can indeed indicate an obstruction. In a healthy functioning stoma, stool should be produced consistently, and any significant delay, especially if it extends beyond a standard range, can suggest that materials are not passing through the intestinal tract properly. This could be due to various reasons, including a physical blockage or narrowing of the bowel, which prevents fecal matter from reaching the stoma.

The other options describe conditions that are not typically associated with obstruction. A stoma color changing to bright red is often a sign of good blood flow and is generally considered normal. Output of fluid consistently may indicate that the stoma is functioning well, especially in cases of ileostomies where more liquid output is expected. The presence of gas in the appliance is also normal and might indicate that digestive processes are occurring as expected, rather than signaling an obstruction. Thus, the absence of stool production over several hours serves as a more direct indicator of a potential obstructed stoma.