Diarrhea is the condition of having frequent loose or liquid bowel movements. Acute diarrhea is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause severe dehydration which is one cause of death in diarrhea sufferers. Along with water, sufferers also lose dangerous amounts of important salts, electrolytes, and other nutrient
Therapeutic Interventions
- Maintain or teach asepsis for dressing changes and wound care, catheter care and handling, and peripheral IV and central venous access management.
- Wash hands and teach other caregivers to wash hands before contact with patient and between procedures with patient. Friction and running water effectively remove microorganisms from hands. Washing between procedures reduces the risk of transmitting pathogens from one area of the body to another (e.g., perineal care or central line care). Use of disposable gloves does not reduce the need for hand washing.
- Limit visitors. This reduces the number of organisms in patient’s environment and restricts visitation by individuals with any type of infection to reduce the transmission of pathogens to the patient at risk for infection. The most common modes of transmission are by direct contact (touching) and by droplet (airborne).
- Encourage intake of protein- and calorie-rich foods. This maintains optimal nutritional status.
- Encourage fluid intake of 2000 ml to 3000 ml of water per day (unless contraindicated). Fluids promote diluted urine and frequent emptying of bladder; reducing stasis of urine, in turn, reduces risk of bladder infection or urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Encourage coughing and deep breathing; consider use of incentive spirometer. These measures reduce stasis of secretions in the lungs and bronchial tree. When stasis occurs, pathogens can cause upper respiratory infections, including pneumonia.
- Administer or teach use of antimicrobial (antibiotic) drugs as ordered. Antimicrobial drugs include antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral agents. All of these agents are either toxic to the pathogen or retard the pathogen’s growth. Ideally, the selection of the drug is based on cultures from the infected area; this is often impossible or impractical, and in these cases, empirical management usually is undertaken with a broad-spectrum drug.
- Place patient in protective isolation if patient is at very high risk. Protective isolation is established if white blood cell counts indicate neutropenia (<500>
- Recommend the use of soft-bristled toothbrushes and stool softeners to protect mucous membranes.
- Teach patient or caregiver to wash hands often, especially after toileting, before meals, and before and after administering self-care. Patients and caregivers can spread infection from one part of the body to another, as well as pick up surface pathogens; hand washing reduces these risks.
- Teach patient the importance of avoiding contact with those who have infections or colds.
- Teach family members and caregivers about protecting susceptible patient from themselves and others with infections or colds.
- Teach patient, family, and caregivers the purpose and proper technique for maintaining isolation.
- Teach patient to take antibiotics as prescribed. Most antibiotics work best when a constant blood level is maintained; a constant blood level is maintained when medications are taken as prescribed. The absorption of some antibiotics is hindered by certain foods; patient should be instructed accordingly.
- Teach patient and caregiver the signs and symptoms of infection, and when to report these to the physician or nurse.
- Demonstrate and allow return demonstration of all high-risk procedures that patient or caregiver will do after discharge, such as dressing changes, peripheral or central IV site care, peritoneal dialysis, self-catheterization (may use clean technique). Bladder infection is more related to overdistended bladder resulting from infrequent catheterization than to use of clean versus sterile technique.
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