Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

OTC > Diarrhea > Flashcards

Diarrhea Flashcards

1
Q

Characteristic of diarrhea:

A

abnormal increase in stool frequency, liquidity, or weight

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How many bowel movements per day is considered abnormal?

A

more than 3

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What counts as acute diarrhea?

A

symptoms that last less than 14 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How to treat acute diarrhea:

A
  • fluid and electrolyte replacement
  • dietary interventions
  • nonrx drug treatment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What counts as persistent diarrhea?

A

symptoms that lasts 14 days to 4 weeks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What counts as chronic diarrhea?

A

symptoms that lasts more than 4 weeks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Persistent and chronic diarrhea are…

A

secondary to other medical conditions or treatments

- need to refer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the most common cause of diarrhea in adults?

A

noroviruses

- plays major role in sporadic acute gastroenteritis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis infants and young children?

A

rotavirus

  • two oral vaccines are available
  • seasonal infection w/ peaks between nov-feb
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Most cases of bacterial gastroenteritis result from…

A

food-borne transmission

- pathogens: salmonella, shigella, e. coli, clostridium perfringens, staph aureus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is responsible for most cases of traveler’s diarrhea?

A

e. coli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea usually subsides over..

A

3-5 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Disease of small intestine is indicated by…

A

undigested food particles in stool

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Upper GI bleeding is indicated by…

A

black, tarry stools

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Red stools may indicate…

A

lower bowel or hemorrhoid bleeding or red foods or drugs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Yellow stools indicate…

A

presence of bilirubin and potentially serious liver problem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Whitish tint to stool indicates…

A

fat malabsorption disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the major complications of diarrheal illness?

A

fluid and electrolyte imbalance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is a key factor in determining if self-care is appropriate?

A

assessment of patient’s risk for dehydration and the degree of dehydration present

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Signs and symptoms of minimal or no dehydration:

A
  • < 3% loss of body weight
  • alert
  • drinks normally
  • normal heart rate
  • normal urine output
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Signs and symptoms of mild-moderate dehydration:

A
  • 3-9% loss of body weight
  • restlessness
  • irritable
  • thirsty
  • normal-increased heart rate
  • decreased urine output
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Signs and symptoms of severe dehydration:

A
  • > 9% loss of body weight
  • lethargic
  • unable to drink
  • increased heart rate
  • minimal urine output
  • not self-treatable
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Initial self-management for mild-moderate, uncomplicated diarrhea should focus on..

A

fluid and electrolyte replacement

24
Q

Exclusions to self-treatment:

A
  • < 6 months old
  • > 6 months w/ persistent fever
  • children w/ severe dehydration
  • blood, mucus, or pus in stool
  • protracted vomiting
  • severe abdominal pain
  • pregnancy
25
Non-pharmacologic therapy:
- fluid and electrolyte management - dietary management - preventive measures
26
Examples of electrolytes:
- sodium - chloride - citrate - potassium
27
What are the two phases for fluid and electrolyte management?
- rehydration | - maintenance therapy
28
Rehydration phase of fluid and electrolyte management is when...
one quickly replenishes water and electrolyte deficits over 3-4 H
29
Maintenance therapy phase of fluid and electrolyte management is when...
electrolyte solutions are given to maintain normal body composition until dietary intake is reestablished
30
Examples of fluid and electrolyte management:
- Pedialyte - Enfamil enfalyte solution - ceralyte powder packets - usually for children
31
T/F: there is little evidence that supports use of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) in adults
T
32
Since ORS has little effect in adults, what are other ways they can increase fluid and electrolytes?
- clear juices - soups - sports drinks
33
For dietary management, it's recommended that you withhold food for no longer than...
24 H and encourage reintroduction of normal diet once patient has been rehydrated (3-4H)
34
Avoid _____ diet while having mild-moderate diarrhea
BRAT, which is bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast | - insufficient calories, protein, and fat
35
Examples of foods to avoid:
- fatty - sugary - spicy
36
What are some appropriate food options for a patient with mild-moderate diarrhea?
- carb-rich - yogurt - lean meats - fruits - vegetables
37
Examples of preventative measures:
- isolate individual with symptoms - wash hands - strict food handling
38
Pharmacologic treatments:
- loperamide - bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) - digestive enzymes
39
Loperamide dosages:
4 mg initially, then 2 mg after each loose stool - don't exceed 8 mg/day - not for children < 6 YO
40
Duration of use for loperamide:
48 H
41
Bismuth subsalicylate dosages:
525 mg every 30-60 min, up to 4200 mg/day - max: 8 doses/day - not for children < 12 YO
42
Digestive enzyme dosages:
- liquid: 5-15 drops placed/taken with dairy product - 1-3 tab or 1-2 cap with 1st bite of dairy product - children is the same dosage
43
Duration of use for bismuth subsalicylate dosages:
48 H
44
Duration of use for digestive enzyme dosages:
take with each consumption of dairy product
45
Loperamide is an effective antidiarrheal agent in...
traveler's diarrhea
46
Side effects of loperamide:
- dizziness - constipation - abdominal pain - dry mouth
47
Examples of loperamide:
- Imodium A-D | - Imodium Advanced Formula Caplets
48
Bismuth subsalicylate is an effective antidiarrheal agent in...
traveler's disease and Helicobacter pylori (associated with peptic ulcer disease)
49
Patients who take bismuth subsalicylate should be cautious when taking...
aspirin or other drugs with salicylate b/c toxic levels of salicylate may be reached
50
Adverse effects of bismuth subsalicylate:
- mild tinnitus (dose related) - Reye's syndrome - neurotoxicity - harmless black staining of stool or tongue
51
Drug interactions with bismuth subsalicylate:
- warfarin - valproic acid - methotrexate - tetracyclines - quinolones - same as ones for aspirin
52
Examples of bismuth subsalicylate:
- pepto bismol - kaopectate - maalox
53
Examples of digestive enzymes:
- lactaid - lacteez drops - lactrase capsules
54
For children 5 YO and under, they should only treat with...
oral rehydration solutions | - medications not recommended
55
For elderly people 65 and older, they should be strongly cautioned against...
self-treatment with medications b/c reactions are more likely to be severe or possible fatal
56
If one is pregnant, they should be...
referred to MD
57
When should you refer a patient after treatment?
if it hasn't been resolved after 72 H of treatment

OTC (23 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions