Assignment: Child With Gastroenteritis And Dehydration Circulation
Scenario
CHILD WITH ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS
You are a RN working in the Emergency Department at the Launceston General Hospital and caring for Jessica, a 3-year-old girl brought in at 2000 by her father. Jessica was collected early from childcare because she vomited twice. She has since vomited another 6-8 times at home. Jessica has been complaining of being thirsty and her father has been offering her juice and water, but she vomits every time she drinks. Jessica is toilet training but still wears pull up nappies - her last wet nappy was changed in childcare at 12pm. Jessica is otherwise well and is up to date with her immunisations. She was weighed two weeks ago and weighed 14kgs.
Vital signs: Temperature (axillary) 38.1 degrees C; heart rate 161 beats per minute; blood pressure 90/60 mmHg; respiratory rate 40 breaths per minute.
Current condition: 3-year-old girl with moderate dehydration caused by viral gastroenteritis
Instructions:
Describe ONE aspect of the assessment undertaken (eg. assessment of circulation),
• Outline the likely findings based on that circulation assessment, and
• Describe the underlying pathophysiology related to those findings
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.