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Multiple Choice

Which term describes the surgical opening of the ileum to the outside of the abdomen?

An ileostomy is the surgical opening of the ileum to the outside of the abdomen. The ileum, the last part of the small intestine, is diverted to a stoma on the abdominal wall so intestinal contents drain into an external pouch, bypassing the colon. This is done when the colon needs to be bypassed due to disease, injury, or other conditions, and it can be temporary or permanent. Output from an ileostomy is typically liquid and contains digestive enzymes, so hydration and electrolyte management are important considerations. The other terms don’t describe a surgical opening: chyme is the partly digested food inside the GI tract, a proctoscope is a device used to examine the rectum, and diverticulosis is a condition involving diverticula in the colon.

An ileostomy is the surgical opening of the ileum to the outside of the abdomen. The ileum, the last part of the small intestine, is diverted to a stoma on the abdominal wall so intestinal contents drain into an external pouch, bypassing the colon. This is done when the colon needs to be bypassed due to disease, injury, or other conditions, and it can be temporary or permanent. Output from an ileostomy is typically liquid and contains digestive enzymes, so hydration and electrolyte management are important considerations. The other terms don’t describe a surgical opening: chyme is the partly digested food inside the GI tract, a proctoscope is a device used to examine the rectum, and diverticulosis is a condition involving diverticula in the colon.