Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

An ostomy may be performed because of:

1. Cancer

2. Blockage

3. Trauma

4. All are reasons an ostomy may be performed

The correct answer is: All are reasons an ostomy may be performed

An ostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening from an area inside the body to the outside. This is commonly done for a variety of medical reasons, all of which are represented in the options provided. Cancer is one of the primary reasons for performing an ostomy, particularly when tumors are located in parts of the digestive or urinary systems, necessitating the removal of the affected portion and the creation of an ostomy to allow for excretion from the body. Blockage, or obstruction, can occur due to various conditions, including strictures, adhesions, or tumor growths. When a blockage is severe enough that it cannot be corrected by other means, an ostomy may need to be created to bypass the area of blockage and maintain bodily functions. Trauma is another reason for an ostomy, as serious injuries to the abdomen or pelvic area can damage internal organs or disrupt normal bodily functions, leading to the necessity of rerouting waste through an ostomy. Given that all these conditions—cancer, blockage, and trauma—can independently necessitate an ostomy procedure, this comprehensive understanding justifies the answer that all these factors are valid reasons for performing an ostomy.