colostomy with rectal tube.

I had a pt. with left side colostomy and with a rectal tube and I could'nt figure out why there is still an output on the rectal tube. can anyone help me with this. I appreciate the comments.
All I can say is wow!!!

It is not always unusual to have a rectal discharge even with a colostomy, it happens sometimes.

Seems like overkill to me!

MBARN, 100% agree, my goodness, briefs, diapers, depends, pullups, or just a simple chucks. Anyway. Overkill.

The output is probably just mucus. Will it be reattached sometime soon?

What I am thinking is that the colostomy may be high in the colon and the physician is going to re-anastomos later and is letting the excrement be released and is relaxing the lower portion of the colon. Does this pt. have c-diff or colitis?

Quote from pawashrnWhat I am thinking is that the colostomy may be high in the colon and the physician is going to re-anastomos later and is letting the excrement be released and is relaxing the lower portion of the colon. Does this pt. have c-diff or colitis?

Quote from mamamerleeThe output is probably just mucus. Will it be reattached sometime soon?

did this pt have an emergency procedure?(hartmans??) if there was no bowel prep that may explain why there is PR loss but why the tube I can not understand.... the bowel doesn't need compressing sincer there is no communication with the rest of the intestine.A once off PR evac will clear whatever is left in the post resected area. 7 day old stool on a colostomy pt has a certain whiff rotten food and malena like odour mixed. Blurgh!

The rectal tube is probably in place to keep stool/mucous away from the decub and keep the pt as dry as possible.

Quote from optimusgtspt. has severe decubitus ulcer. with 40-50 ml of liquid stool in rectal tube. post-op day 3.

You have to check this with the physician.