Sim 1

Question 1

1. Identify essential components of a health history for an acutely ill child with no history of hospitalization or previous medical diagnoses.

Answer 1

Is the child’s weight lower than the last time it was measured? What is the child’s normal activity level? Have the child’s eating habits changed recently?

Question 2

2. Identify signs and symptoms of dehydration in pediatric patients. What are considered early signs and late signs?

Answer 2

Very Early: Thirst

Early: Moderately Thirsty, restless or lethargic, Decreased BP, rapid pulse, poor turgor, dry mucus membranes, decreased urine output less than 1ml/kg/hr, delayed cap. Refill, rapid breathing

Late: Lethargic or Comatose, very low bp, rapid weak pulse, very poor skin turgor, parched mucus membranes, severely decreased or absent urinary output, Extreme thirst if not lethargic or in coma, cool discolored and delayed cap refill more than 3 seconds, irregular breathing,

Question 3

3. Describe common methods of treatment for dehydration and diarrhea in young children, including oral rehydration solutions, medications and intravenous fluid replacement.

Answer 3

The most common treatment for mild to moderate dehydration in children is oral rehydration with a oral replacement solution such as Pedialyte. If the child is vomiting than they provider may prescribe the child ondansetron. If the dehydration is severe, the child is given IV fluids in addition to oral replacement therapy if they are able to tolerate it. Lactated Ringers solution or Diluted Saline is often the solution used.

If the child has diarrhea, give fluids after each stool episode to compensate for fluid loss.