Question

The nurse teaches the father of an infant hospitalized with gastroenteritis about the next step of the treatment plan once the infant's condition has been controlled. the nurse should determine that the father understands when he explains that which intervention will occur with his infant?

Answer 1

The infant will receive clear liquids for a period of time.

The usual way to treat an infant hospitalized with gastroenteritis is to keep the infant nothing-by-mouth status to rest the gastrointestinal tract. The resulting fluid volume deficit is treated with intravenous fluids. When the infant's condition is controlled (e.g., when vomiting subsides), clear liquids are then started slowly. Formula and juice will be started once the infant's vomiting has subsided and the infant has demonstrated the ability to tolerate clear liquids for a period of time. In this situation, there is no need to test the infant's blood every day for anemia. Most likely, the infant's serum electrolyte levels would be monitored closely. Typically, an infant is placed in a private room because gastroenteritis is most commonly caused by a virus that is easily transmitted to others.