A nurse is preparing to instill 840 mL of enteral nutrition via a patient’s gastrostomy tube over 24 hours using an infusion pump.

How many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump to deliver?

Choice A rationale

Purulent drainage is thick and opaque. It can have a yellow, tan, green, or brown color and is a sign of infection.

Choice B rationale

Sanguineous drainage is bright red and indicates active bleeding3.

Choice C rationale

Serosanguineous drainage is typically pink-red and thin. It is made up of blood and serous fluid and is typically seen in a normal, non-infected wound3.

Choice D rationale

Serous drainage is clear and thin, like the fluid from a blister3.

Choice A rationale

An ileostomy involves creating a stoma, or opening, in the abdominal wall. The location of the stoma is typically in the right lower abdomen.

Choice B rationale

The end of the stoma should not be painful after the procedure. If the patient experiences pain, it could indicate a complication and should be reported to the healthcare provider.

Choice C rationale

The patient should not expect the stoma to be a purple color. A healthy stoma should be red or pink. A purple stoma could indicate a lack of blood flow, which is a serious issue that needs immediate medical attention.

Choice D rationale

After an ileostomy, the patient will have liquid or semi-liquid stool pass through the stoma. This is because the large intestine, which normally absorbs water and forms solid stool, is bypassed or removed in the procedure.