A 10-month-old child has a 3-day history of green watery stools and 1 day of vomiting. Physical examination confirms an afebrile, irritable baby with dry mucous membranes and sunke... A 10-month-old child has a 3-day history of green watery stools and 1 day of vomiting. Physical examination confirms an afebrile, irritable baby with dry mucous membranes and sunken eyes. Which of the following is the most important management strategy? A. Start antibiotics B. Antidiarrheal drugs C. Order a stool culture D. Fluid and electrolyte replacement
Understand the Problem
The question describes a 10-month-old child experiencing symptoms of dehydration due to diarrhea and vomiting. It asks us to choose the most important initial management strategy from the provided options. The key here is recognizing the dehydration and prioritizing the most immediate and effective intervention.
Answer
Fluid and electrolyte replacement.
The most important management strategy is fluid and electrolyte replacement because the baby shows signs of dehydration (dry mucous membranes and sunken eyes) due to diarrhea and vomiting.
Answer for screen readers
The most important management strategy is fluid and electrolyte replacement because the baby shows signs of dehydration (dry mucous membranes and sunken eyes) due to diarrhea and vomiting.
More Information
The question describes a 10-month-old child experiencing diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration. The key to addressing this condition is to tackle the dehydration through fluid and electrolyte replacement.
Tips
A common mistake is to immediately consider antibiotics or stool cultures without addressing the more immediate threat of dehydration. While those might be relevant later, the priority is to stabilize the patient.
Sources
- Vomiting With Diarrhea - Seattle Children's Hospital - seattlechildrens.org
- Rotavirus (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth - kidshealth.org
- [PDF] Chart Booklet - World Health Organization (WHO) - cdn.who.int
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