Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Acute
Gastroenteritis
Kamar H. Callanga // Jashmir joyce
F. Banua
DEFINITION:
Gastroenteritis is a catchall term for
infection or irritation of the digestive
tract, particularly the stomach and
intestine.
ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY:
PATHOPHYSILOGY:
Viral spread from person to person occurs by fecaloral transmission of contaminated food and water.
Some viruses, like noroviruses, may be transmitted
by an airborne route. Clinical manifestations are
related to intestinal infection, but the exact
mechanism of the induction of diarrhea is not clear
ETIOLOGY :
Acute gastroenteritis is a common cause of
morbidity and mortality worldwide. Conservative
estimates put diarrhea in the top 5 causes of
deaths worldwide, with most occurring in young
children in nonindustrialized countries.
Etiologies include bacteria, viruses, parasites,
toxins, and drugs. Viruses are responsible for a
significant percentage of cases affecting patients of
all ages. Viral gastroenteritis ranges from a selflimited watery diarrheal illness
RISK FACTORS:
Young children
Older adults
Schoolchildren, churchgoers or
dormitory residents.
Anyone with a weakened immune
system.
TEST:
The symptoms of gastroenteritis are
usually enough to identify the illness.
Workup in pediatric gastroenteritis can
include the following:
Baseline electrolytes
Fecal leukocytes and stool culture
Stool analysis for C difficile toxins
Stool analysis for ova and parasites
Complete blood count (CBC) and
blood cultures
NSG. MANAGEMENT:
Wash hand thoroughly after giving care to
avoid spreading of infection, and use
standard precaution whenever handling
vomitus or stools.
Monitor the patients fluids status carefully.
Assess vital signs at least every 4 hours,
weigh him daily, and record intake and
output.
Teach the patient about gastroenteritis,
describing its symptoms and varied causes.
Teach the patient the proper preventive
MEDICATION:
Probiotics
Zinc
Metronidazole
Tetracycline and doxycycline
Vaccine
NURSING DIAGNOSIS:
Diarrhea related to infectious
process
Fluid Volume Deficit related to
active fluid volume loss
Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity
related to altered fluid status
UPDATES:
CDC finds norovirus the chief
culprit in acute gastroenteritis in
young children
http://
emedicine.medscape.com/article/176515-overview#a5
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/801948-overview