Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

Which type of fistula is associated with the bowel in general or small bowel in particular?

1. Colo fistula

2. Entro fistula

3. Vaginal fistula

4. Recto fistula

The correct answer is: Entro fistula

An enteric fistula, often referred to as an enterostomy or entero fistula, is directly associated with the small bowel or the bowel in general. This type of fistula forms an abnormal connection that can occur during various conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, surgical complications, or infections, leading to the passage of intestinal contents through the fistula. The reason this answer is correct lies in the specific terminology used in medical practice. "Entero" specifically refers to the intestine, with a strong emphasis on the small intestine, which differentiates it from other types of fistulas that may involve areas like the colon or the rectum. In contrast, a colo fistula would relate to the colon, a vaginal fistula pertains to an abnormal connection between the vagina and another organ, and a recto fistula would be associated with the rectum. Each of these terms denotes distinct anatomical regions, highlighting the specificity of the enteric fistula when referencing the small bowel.