A patient has a colostomy in the descending (sigmoid) colon and wants to control bowel evacuation and possibly stop wearing an ostomy pouch.To help achieve this goal,the nurse should teach the patient to:

A) Call the primary care provider if the stoma becomes pale, dusky, or black
B) Limit the intake of gas-forming foods such as cabbage, onions, and fish
C) Irrigate the stoma to produce a bowel movement on a schedule
D) Avoid returning to the use of an ostomy appliance if he becomes ill

Patients with an ostomy in the descending or sigmoid colon may use colostomy irrigation as a means to control and schedule bowel evacuation and possibly eliminate the need to wear an ostomy pouch.Limiting the intake of gas-forming foods is a good idea from a social perspective; however,it does not help achieve the goal of having regular bowel movements,thus eliminating the need to wear a pouch.When illness occurs,it may be difficult to control the output,so the patient can use an ostomy appliance.This will not make it more difficult to schedule the BMs after the illness passes.