Diarrhea Case Studies

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Which essential questions will you ask a pediatric patient or their caregiver when the presenting complaint is bloody diarrhea? Will these questions vary depending upon the child's age? Why or why not?
The most common cause of acute diarrhea is a viral infection. Other causes include; bacterial infections, side effects of antibiotics, and infections not related to the gastrointestinal (GI) system. When blood is seen on a child's stool can be frightening. However, this is a common condition in children and is usually not serious. There are many possible causes of bloody stools. The most likely cause depends on the frequency and amount of blood, and on your child's age and underlying condition. Diarrhea is not a disease, but is a symptom of a number of illnesses. Although diarrhea is common and rarely serious, it is important to understand when to seek help. A complete history can often identify a presumptive gastrointestinal bleeding source and direct an efficient workup. Ask age- and etiology-specific questions. For complaints of bloody …show more content…

By the time, a child turns 5 years old, approximately 8% of girls and about 2% of boys have had at least one occurrence (Figueroa, 2016).UTI's occur much more frequently in girls, especially those that have reached the age of toilet training. This is rampant in girls because, they have shorter urethra and is very close to the anus. Also, uncircumcised boys younger than one year have a slightly higher risk of developing UTI than the circumcised males. The risk factors for developing UTI include; an abnormality in the structure of the urinary tract or blockage along the tract of normal urine flow, an abnormal backward of urine flow (reflux), poor toilet and hygiene habit and family history of UTI's. In fact, UTI's are treatable, but it is very important the symptoms are caught early. This because, undiagnosed urinary tract infections can lead to kidney damage (Figueroa,

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