CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines resulting from bacterial toxins or viral infection and causing vomiting and diarrhea (Dictionary). Acute gastroenteritis remains a major cause of morbidity and morbidity in children around the world, accounting for 1.3million annually in children younger than 5 years. As the disease severity depends on the degree of fluid loss, accurately assessing dehydration status remains a crucial stem preventing mortality (Priscilla, 2014).

Most cases of dehydration in children are diagnosed by a careful clinical examination and treated with simple cost-effective measures, although dehydration technically refers to pure water loss and can be associated with the hypovolemic state in certain pediatric volume loss due to dehydration.

1.2 Objectives

1.2.1 General Objective

To explore the response of a patient with gastroenteritis to nursing management.

1.2.2 Specific Objectives      

1. To Assess a patient with G.E
2. To plan and implement care on patients with G.E
3. To evaluate response to care provided

1.3 Rational / Significance

1.3.1 Rationale

The study will help me to improve my skill in the step or ways used in the management of gastroenteritis.

1.3.2 Significance

– It will help me to have more knowledge on the topic, hence proper management of the case.

– It will also help the health care provider to improve their steps use in the management of GE and to also overcome challenges faced.

– It will also help in the proper ways in preventing gastroenteritis and the community as well.

1.4 Definition of Term

Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the stomach and intestine. It is usually due to acute infection by viruses or bacteria due to acute infection by viruses or bacteria or to food poisoning toxins and causing vomiting and diarrhoea.

Inflammation: The immediate defensive reaction of tissue to injury, which may be caused by infection chemicals, or physical agents. It involves pain swelling, heat redness and loss of function at the affected.

Dehydration: It is the loss of deficiency of water in body tissues. The condition may result from inadequate water intake and /or from excessive removal of water from the body, for example by sweating, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Disease: A disorder with specific cause and recognizable signs and symptoms, any                                                   bodily abnormality or failure to function properly except that of a physical injury.

Acute: Describing a disease of rapid onset severe symptoms, and brief duration.

Hypovolemic: A decreased in the volume of circulating blood in the systems.