Gastroenteritis in Children:
Gastroenteritis in Children: ( 15 Questions)
The child's parent asks, "Why is my child receiving oral rehydration therapy?" Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is a key treatment for gastroenteritis. It helps to replace lost fluids and electrolytes due to vomiting and diarrhea, preventing dehydration. The primary goal of ORT is to control these symptoms and maintain hydration.
While ORT does treat the consequences of the infection (dehydration), it doesn't directly treat the underlying cause, which is often a viral or bacterial infection.
ORT does prevent dehydration, which is a complication of gastroenteritis, but it doesn't specifically prevent the spread of the infection to others.
ORT can often prevent the need for hospitalization by effectively managing dehydration on an outpatient basis. However, its primary purpose is to prevent dehydration, not to eliminate the need for hospitalization in all cases.
Choice A rationale:
Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is a key treatment for gastroenteritis.
It helps to replace lost fluids and electrolytes due to vomiting and diarrhea, preventing dehydration.
The primary goal of ORT is to control these symptoms and maintain hydration.
Choice B rationale:
While ORT does treat the consequences of the infection (dehydration), it doesn't directly treat the underlying cause, which is often a viral or bacterial infection.
Choice C rationale:
ORT does prevent dehydration, which is a complication of gastroenteritis, but it doesn't specifically prevent the spread of the infection to others.
Choice D rationale:
ORT can often prevent the need for hospitalization by effectively managing dehydration on an outpatient basis.
However, its primary purpose is to prevent dehydration, not to eliminate the need for hospitalization in all cases.