Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

For a patient with an ileostomy, which food should they avoid to reduce the risk of obstruction?

1. Cheese

2. Asparagus

3. Onions

4. Raisins

The correct answer is: Raisins

For a patient with an ileostomy, avoiding certain foods is crucial to minimize the risk of obstruction due to the unique changes in digestion and elimination that occur after the creation of an ileostomy. In this context, raisins should be avoided because they are small, dried fruits that can clump together and form a mass, potentially leading to an obstruction in the small intestine or stoma, where the ileostomy is located. Foods that are dried or have skins, such as raisins, can be challenging for the digestive system to process and may not break down properly, creating a risk for blockage as they move through the shorter intestinal path following an ileostomy. While the other food options have their own considerations, they are less likely to cause obstruction compared to small, sticky, or hard items like raisins. For example, cheese may be high in fat and can cause constipation if consumed in excess, while asparagus and onions could lead to gas or digestive discomfort but do not pose the same immediate obstruction risk as raisins do.