Title: Diseases of the Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Tracts
Course: NUR 1411C Nursing for the Family Part 2 > Section: Module 3

Dehydration in infants and children is most frequently the result of viral illness. Vomiting, diarrhea and fever result in fluid loss, compounded by inadequate intake of fluid results in dehydration. Infants and young children are most vulnerable to alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance. Fever is a symptom rather a disease. Most fevers in children are viral and of brief duration and limited consequences. Treatments are primarily directed at relieving symptoms and maintain hydration. In 3-4% of infants and young children under five years, febrile seizures are of concern.Congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract may result in alterations of fluid balance as well as nutritional and growth alterations. Most common congenital anomalies of the GI tract are pyloric stenosis and Hirschprungs disease.
Over 50% of infants under the age of 2months have some degree of gastroesphageal reflux (GER) which generally resolves by one year of age. In these children,dietary and lifestyle modifications. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is associated with failure to thrive, respiratory symptoms or esophageal bleeding. The incidence of kidney and urinary tract dysfunction changes with the age of the child. Understanding these variances serves as a basis for recognizing and managing conditions associated with the urinary tract. Nursing interventions are directed at developing a working knowledge of the differences in diagnoses and clinical manifestations.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the module the student will be able to

- Describe the characteristics of infants and young children that put them at greatest risk for dehydration.
- Discuss the differences of acute and chronic diarrhea in children, discuss the most common cause for each.
- Formulate a plan of care for the child with vomiting and diarrhea to include:
  - Evaluate degree/stages of dehydration in infants/children
  - Therapeutic management of both acute and recovery stage
  - Home management of the infant/child with diarrhea and dehydration
  - Prevention
  - Management of the child with Celiac disease
- Formulate a plan of care for an infant or child with fever who is at risk for febrile seizure.
- Discuss the etiology, pathophysiology of the following. Include the diagnostic and therapeutic management of each.
  - Gastoesophageal Reflux (GER)
  - Gastoesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
  - Pyloric Stenosis
  - Hirschprungs disease
- Employ knowledge of the etiology, pathophysiology, symptoms, and management for a child with a urinary tract infection.
Describe the pathophysiology and therapeutic management for vesicoureteral reflux.
Describe the etiology, presentation and therapeutic management of the following:
  - Nephrotic syndrome
  - Glomerulonephritis

Readings

- Chapter 45: p.1259-1261
- Chapter 47: p.1380-1389
- Chapter 47: p. 1394-1395Chapter 47: p. 1417-1420
- Chapter 50: p. 1526-1540

Websites - Video Lectures

All open in new window, 1-7 minutes each

- What Is Dehydration?
- Febrile Seizure
- Pyloric Stenosis