Diarrhea is the frequent passage of loose, watery, soft stools with or without abdominal bloating, pressure, and cramps commonly referred to as gas. Diarrhea can come on suddenly, run its course, and be helped with home care to prevent complications such as dehydration.
- Diarrhea is one of the most common illnesses in all age groups and is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost days of work or school.
- In the United States, each child will have experienced seven to 15 episodes of diarrhea by age 5.
- People of all ages can suffer from diarrhea, and the average adult has approximately four episodes of acute diarrhea per year.
- In the United States, each child will have experienced seven to 15 episodes of diarrhea by age 5.
- Diarrhea and related complications can cause severe illness. The most significant cause of severe illness is loss of water and electrolytes. In diarrhea, fluid passes out of the body before it can be absorbed by the intestines. When the ability to drink fluids fast enough to compensate for the water loss because of diarrhea is impaired, dehydration can result. Most deaths from diarrhea occur in the very young and the elderly whose health may be put at risk from a moderate amount of dehydration.
- Diarrhea can be further defined in the following ways:
- chronic diarrhea is the presence of loose or liquid stools for over two weeks;
- acute enteritis is inflammation of the intestine;
- gastroenteritis (stomach flu) is diarrhea associated with nausea and vomiting; or
- dysentery is diarrhea that contains blood, pus, or mucus.
- chronic diarrhea is the presence of loose or liquid stools for over two weeks;
Diarrhea Nursing Diagnosis
Diarrhoea related to inflammatory bacterial / malabsorption / infection process
Diarrhea NOC
- bowel elimination
- fluid balance
- hydration status
Expected Outcomes:
Bowel habit, flabby every day or 3 days
Rectal area showed no irritation
Shows the frequency of diarrhea was reduced
Able to explain the causes of diarrhea and the action taken
Skin turgor and showed normal weight.
Diarrhea NIC
Management of diarrhea:
Nursing Care Plan for Children with Diarrhea
- Perform stool culture and sensitivity if the diarrhea persists
- Evaluation of treatment side effects on gastrointestinal
- Instruct the patient / family record the color, volume and consistency of stool
- Identify factors that cause diarrhea (treatment, bacteria or the influence of food)
- Monitor for signs and symptoms of diarrhea
- Observation of skin turgor regularly
- Monitor the perineal area of irritation and ulceration
- Weigh weight
- Monitor the increase in intestinal peristalsis
- Manage the provision of nutrition and fluid intake
- Give medication according to program
- Monitor the value of the electrolyte
- Monitor fluid and electrolyte loss
- Monitor neurological manifestations due to electrolyte imbalance
- Monitor nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Monitor signs and symptoms of hyponatremia, hyperkalemia
- Administration of electrolyte supplementation
- Perform perineal hygiene
- Keep it dry perineal
- Clean the perineum are routinely