Enterostomal Therapy Nursing Course

Lesson 1 • Patient-Centered Care Philosophy

Introduces holistic, patient-centered approaches specific to ostomy, wound, and continence populations. Builds the relational foundation for all subsequent clinical chapters.

Lesson 2 • History and Evolution of ET Nursing

Traces ET nursing from its origins with Norma Gill to current specialty standards. Provides context for understanding how the role expanded beyond ostomy care.

Lesson 3 • Ethical and Legal Principles in ET Nursing

Applies bioethical principles—autonomy, beneficence, justice—to ET clinical decisions. Grounds practice in patient rights and regulatory compliance.

Lesson 1 • Gastrointestinal Tract Anatomy

Reviews GI tract structure from esophagus to rectum with emphasis on surgical relevance. Directly supports understanding of ostomy types and output characteristics.

Lesson 2 • Integumentary System and Wound Healing

Examines skin layers, appendages, and the phases of wound healing. Establishes the physiological basis for peristomal skin management and wound care interventions.

Lesson 3 • Pelvic Floor and Continence Anatomy

Describes pelvic floor musculature, sphincter mechanisms, and neural control of continence. Provides the anatomical basis for continence assessment and management strategies.

Lesson 1 • Pediatric and Neonatal Ostomies

Addresses congenital conditions requiring ostomy creation in neonates and children. Adapts assessment and pouching principles to pediatric anatomical and developmental needs.

Lesson 2 • Urostomy and Urinary Diversions

Describes ileal conduit, cutaneous ureterostomy, and continent urinary diversions. Connects diversion type to specific pouching and monitoring requirements.

Lesson 3 • Continent Diversions and Restorative Procedures

Reviews ileoanal pouch anastomosis (J-pouch) and other restorative surgeries. Distinguishes restorative procedures from permanent ostomies in care planning.

Lesson 4 • Colostomy: Types and Indications

Covers sigmoid, transverse, and descending colostomies, including loop and end configurations. Links surgical indication to expected stoma output and management approach.

Lesson 1 • Preoperative Patient Assessment

Guides systematic physical, psychosocial, and functional assessment before ostomy surgery. Identifies risk factors that influence stoma placement and postoperative management.

Lesson 2 • Stoma Siting in Special Populations

Adapts siting techniques for patients with obesity, physical disabilities, and altered body contours. Ensures individualized placement that supports self-care and device adherence.

Lesson 3 • Preoperative Patient Education

Delivers structured preoperative teaching on stoma function, pouching basics, and lifestyle impact. Reduces anxiety and sets realistic expectations for postoperative recovery.

Lesson 1 • Pouching System Selection

Compares one-piece and two-piece systems, drainable and closed pouches, and convex versus flat barriers. Matches system features to stoma type, output, and patient dexterity.

Lesson 2 • Postoperative Stoma Assessment

Establishes normal stoma appearance parameters and identifies early postoperative complications. Systematic assessment guides timely intervention and prevents stomal necrosis or retraction.

Lesson 3 • Immediate Postoperative Complications

Identifies and manages early complications including necrosis, retraction, mucocutaneous separation, and prolapse. Prompt recognition prevents irreversible stomal damage.

Lesson 4 • Accessory Products and Adjuncts

Introduces barrier rings, belts, convex inserts, and deodorants as adjuncts to pouching systems. Selects accessories based on stoma characteristics and patient lifestyle needs.

Lesson 1 • Pressure Injury Prevention and Staging

Applies the international pressure injury staging system to classify and manage pressure injuries. Integrates prevention strategies into routine ET nursing care plans.

Lesson 2 • Wound Bed Preparation Principles

Applies the TIME framework—tissue, infection, moisture, edge—to chronic wound management. Provides the conceptual structure for selecting wound care interventions.

Lesson 3 • Wound Dressing Selection and Application

Matches dressing categories—foams, hydrocolloids, alginates, antimicrobials—to wound characteristics. Correct dressing selection accelerates healing and reduces patient discomfort.

Lesson 4 • Common Peristomal Skin Complications

Covers irritant contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, pseudoverrucous lesions, and fungal infections. Links each complication to its cause and evidence-based treatment protocol.

Lesson 1 • Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel Management

Addresses bladder and bowel dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Develops safe, individualized neurogenic bowel and bladder programs.

Lesson 2 • Pharmacological and Device-Based Urinary Management

Reviews pharmacological agents and devices—catheters, pessaries, external collection systems—used in urinary management. Nurses coordinate with prescribers and select appropriate containment devices.

Lesson 3 • Urinary Incontinence Assessment

Classifies urinary incontinence types—stress, urge, mixed, overflow—using history, bladder diary, and physical exam. Accurate classification is prerequisite to targeted treatment selection.

Lesson 4 • Fecal Incontinence Assessment and Management

Assesses fecal incontinence severity using validated scales and implements bowel management programs. Addresses dietary, pharmacological, and device-based strategies for fecal containment.

Lesson 1 • Psychosocial Adaptation and Body Image

Addresses grief, body image disturbance, and identity adjustment following ostomy surgery. Therapeutic communication and referral strategies support psychological rehabilitation.

Lesson 2 • Structured Ostomy Education Programs

Builds phased education programs from immediate postoperative teaching through discharge and outpatient follow-up. Structured programs improve self-care competence and reduce readmission rates.

Lesson 3 • Community Resources and Support Networks

Connects patients to ostomy associations, peer visitor programs, and online support communities. Community integration sustains long-term adaptation and reduces social isolation.

Lesson 4 • Long-Term Stoma Complications Management

Identifies and manages late complications including hernia, prolapse, stenosis, and retraction. Long-term surveillance prevents complications from progressing to surgical emergencies.