A patient with colon cancer has recently undergone surgery to remove a portion of the colon.The patient asks how often the colostomy pouching system should be changed.What is the best response by the nurse?

A) Every 3 to 7 days
B) Every 10 to 14 days
C) When the pouch is one third to one half full of stool
D) Not until the system starts to leak or smell bad

Colostomy Pouching System

A medical device used for collecting waste from the body through a surgically created opening in the abdomen.

Colon Cancer

A type of cancer that begins in the large intestine (colon), which is the final part of the digestive tract.

Colostomy

A surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) from the colon to the surface of the abdomen to eliminate waste.