Gastro Enterities (GE)

Question 1

What is gastroenteritis (GE)

Answer 1

Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
- that involves both the stomach and the small intestine
- resulting in a combination of diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain and cramping.

Question 2

What is gastroenteritis referred to as?

Answer 2

• Gastro
• Stomach bug
• Stomach virus
• Stomach flu
• Gastric flu

Question 3

What viruses cause gastroenteritis?

Answer 3

• Rotavirus
• Norovirus
• Adenovirus
• Astrovirus

Question 4

What parasite causes gastroenteritis?

Answer 4

• Histolytica, infection can lead to amoebic dysentery or amoebic liver abscess

Question 5

What are the causes of gastroenteritis?

Answer 5

• Virus
• Parasites
• Cryptosporidium is the organism most commonly isolated in HIV positive patients presenting with diarrhoea
• Bacteria: are the cause in about 15% the most of cases, with most common types being Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter

Question 6

How is gastroenteritis transmitted?

Answer 6

• May occur via consumption of:
  > Contamnated water
  > When people share personal objects
  > Bottle-feeding of babies with improper sanitized
  > Poor hygiene
  > Poor nutritional status

Question 7

What is the pathophysiology of gastroenteritis

Answer 7

• The intestinal mucosa secretes large amounts of water and electrolytes into the intestinal luman
• as a response to irritation by ineffective organisms or the osmotic pressure exerted by the particles that are not absorbed in the chyme
• Peristalsis is increased, leading to the frequency in bowel emptying
• Depending on the severity of the diarrhoea
• electrolyte imbalance occurs

Question 8

What are the clinical manifestations of gastroenteritis?

Answer 8

• Frequent explosive watery stools
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Abdominal distension
• Tenesmus (feeling of passing stools) and anorexia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Dehydration: increased thirst, loss of skin turgor, decreases urinary
  output
• Dry and inelastic skin mucous membrane

Question 9

What are the diagnostic studies for gastroenteritis?

Answer 9

• Stools MCS (Microscopy, culture and sensitivity) to identify the causative organism
• Endoscopy
• Upper and lower gastrointestinal radiological studies,
  > such as barium contrast,
  >to detect any mucosal lining disease as well as any structural abnormality

Question 10

What nursing care plan is done in gastroenteritis?

Answer 10

• Prevent dehydration by replacing fluid and electrolytes and achieving acid base balance
• Strictly monitor input and output
• Take vital signs at least 4hrly
• Provide patient with a bedpan at all times and clean it after every use
• Ensure that patient wash hands after each stool
• Prevent peri anal skin breakdown by ensuring good personal hygiene
  > make sure that the patients perineum is washed and dried after each bowel motion to promote comfort

Question 11

What is the management of gastroenteritis?

Answer 11

• Maintain normal nutritional intake
  > encourgae bland diet to maitain nutritional status
• Administer prescribed antidiarrheal medication
• Ensure patient comfort at all times; ensure that bed linen or bedclothes are not soiled

Question 12

What are the complications for gastroenteritis?

Answer 12

• Dehydration
• Shock
• Delirium
• Electrolyte imbalance

Question 13

What patient education will one give for gastroenteritis?

Answer 13

• Clear liquid drinks to 1 cup every hour
  > e.g clear fruit juice, non-caffeinated tea
• Avoid cloudy liquids such as milk or orange juice, are more irritating to the stomach
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine, fried foods or highly spiced foods
• Bland diet: foods in this diet are less irritating to the stomach.
  > Add foods such as white bread, crackers, oatmeal, rice, cereals, fish or chicken, potatoes, rice and most vegetables
• Avoid smoking, alcohol and irritating foods such as
  > coffee and chocolate
• Importance of handwashing after using the toilet before handling food
• Do not participate in food handling or preparation until the illness has gone away
• Complete antibiotic treatment course
• Adhere to follow up dates
• Take antidiarrheal medicines only if doctor has prescribed them