A patient has a leaking colostomy; after attempts to help, how should the nurse proceed?

• A. Contact the company and consult a nurse specialized in this product
• B. Replace the device and hope
• C. Ignore leak and monitor
• D. Refer to physician only

Answer: (A)

When a colostomy is leaking, the focus is on ensuring a secure, skin-safe fit for the appliance and addressing the cause of the leak with expert guidance. If initial attempts to fix the leak don’t work, the best next step is to involve the device manufacturer’s clinical support and a nurse who specializes in ostomy care. The manufacturer’s team can provide device-specific troubleshooting, such as adjustments to flange size, barrier type, paste or sealant, and whether a different system might be more suitable for the patient’s stoma and output. An ostomy-specialized nurse brings clinical assessment of the stoma and surrounding skin, checks the fit and technique, and coordinates with the manufacturer to implement the right solution. This approach aims to stop the leak, protect the skin from irritation, and prevent further complications.

Replacing the device and hoping, ignoring the leak, or referring to a physician alone do not offer the targeted, product-specific guidance or the hands-on assessment needed to resolve fittings and skin issues that commonly cause leaks.