Question

A 36-year-old client was admitted with gastroenteritis. She has been vomiting and having severe diarrhea for 2 days. She is very weak. The current laboratory results are Na+ 128 mEq/L, K+ 3.0 mEq/L, Cl− 90 mEq/L. The physician orders IV of 0.9% normal saline solution at 100 mL/hr, NPO, and I & O.

1. Are the lab results normal or abnormal? If so, which ones?
2. What treatment and/or medication(s), if any, would be ordered?
3. What complication(s) if any is likely to develop if the symptoms persist? (Discuss one)
4. What education would you provide to the client to prevent this issue in the future?

Answer 1

1. The lab results of sodium ,potassium and chlorides are found to be abnormal .The normal sodium ranges from 135 -145 mol/L, potassium ranges from 3.5 -5 mol/L and chloride ranges from 95 -105 mol/L .In the given case sodium is 128 mEq/L which is below normal ,potassium is 3.0 mEq/L and chloride is 90 mEq/L which shows all the lab values are below normal which clearly indicates the presence of Severe Gastroenteritis .
2. The treatments that are available are Fluid replacement therapy ,Oral rehydration therapy and IV fluids administration .Antibiotics can be administered such as Ampicillin ,trimethoprim - sulfamethoxazole .In the given case physician has advised to administer IV of 0.9 % NS at 100ml/hr .Penicillin is a good drug of choice which is effective in treating this gastroenteritis .
3. The complications of Gastroenteritis are Malabsorption ,Dehydration,Lactulose intolerance ,Chronic diarrhoea ,sepsis and systemic infection such as meningitis ,Arthritis ,Pneumonia .Dehydration is the major cause of the gastroenteritis in which body loses fluids and electrolytes which are not replaced effectively .It can lead to several problems like Heat injury which results in Stroke ,Urinary tract issues such as UTI’s,Seizures and hypovolemic shock .
4. The main education is the Health teaching for the client to prevent this type of problems

• Advice the patients to drink adequate quantity of water
• Eat bland diet
• Rest as much as possible .
• To prevent the further infection ,teach the patient about proper hand washing techniques and regular use of soap
• Wear clean laundry clothes
• Cook safe food and prepare hygienically ,wash raw vegetables and meat to be cooked properly