Which statement correctly pairs outputs of loop stoma ends?

Which statement correctly pairs outputs of loop stoma ends?

• A. Proximal: Stool; Distal: Mucous
• B. Proximal: Mucous; Distal: Stool
• C. Proximal: Gas; Distal: Blood
• D. Proximal: Blood; Distal: Gas

Answer: (A)

In a loop stoma, the bowel is brought out as a single loop that acts as two lumens: the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end is the functional outlet and carries stool—the main fecal output. The distal end is a blind-ending segment that still secretes mucus from its mucosa, but it doesn’t evacuate stool, so its typical discharge is mucus rather than stool. This is why the correct pairing is proximal stool with distal mucus. If the distal end were to discharge blood or gas, that would suggest irritation, injury, or another complication rather than normal output.

In a loop stoma, the bowel is brought out as a single loop that acts as two lumens: the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end is the functional outlet and carries stool—the main fecal output. The distal end is a blind-ending segment that still secretes mucus from its mucosa, but it doesn’t evacuate stool, so its typical discharge is mucus rather than stool. This is why the correct pairing is proximal stool with distal mucus. If the distal end were to discharge blood or gas, that would suggest irritation, injury, or another complication rather than normal output.