Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

What type of stool is expected from a colostomy located in the ileum?

1. Formed

2. Pasty

3. Liquid

4. Soft

The correct answer is: Liquid

The type of stool expected from a colostomy located in the ileum is a critical topic in understanding how different parts of the gastrointestinal tract contribute to stool consistency. The ileum is the last part of the small intestine, primarily responsible for nutrient absorption and fluid regulation before waste passes into the colon. When a colostomy is performed at this location, the stool tends to be more liquid in consistency. This is due to the fact that the ileum still has some fluid absorption capabilities, but since it's a segment of the small intestine, the stool has not been subjected to the primary water absorption processes that occur in the colon. Therefore, the output from an ileostomy can be quite watery and often described as liquid, reflecting the incomplete absorption of water and bile salts. In contrast, other locations within the digestive system would yield different stool consistencies due to varying degrees of water reabsorption. A colostomy in the descending or sigmoid colon, for instance, would typically produce more formed or pasty stools because these areas are responsible for much of the final water absorption before waste is expelled from the body. This distinction highlights why a colostomy in the ileum specifically results in liquid stool.