prolapsed stoma?

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I had a pt with a colostomy this weekend and when I changed the bag on Saturday the stoma was pink and normal looking. Sunday at the end of my shift I checked her bag to see if it needed emptying before my shift ended, and there was about 5 in of intenstine in the bag! I was so surprised - had no idea what to do (have never seen a prolapsed stoma) so I didn't touch it (no stool in bag) and told the night nurse what I had seen. She wasn't concerned and said "it will probably go back in" (?!?!?)

so. . .if this happens to me again, what should I do? Her stoma was at least a month old. Does the MD need to be informed? What interventions should I do? Thank you.

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Specializes in Cardiac, PCU, Surg/Onc, LTC, Peds.

It happens occasionally, no interventions needed. I would leave an FYI for the doc if he doesn't already know. If the patient is being seen for a different issue than the doc may not look at the stoma so leave a note or message just in case.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

We see this a lot with our kids, as long as it looks pink and continues to work, they don't worry too much about it. Sometimes it does retract back up, but sometimes is stays like that until they do a revision. we always document it and then call the surgeons to give them a heads up to come and just take a look.

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