Question

give 5 nursing priorites ( with rationals in your own words) for a patient who has diarrhea and low potassium level. starting from the highest to lowest.

give the pathophysiology of Crptosporidium infection in your own words.

Answer 1

In a patient who has diarrhea and low potassium level, the following aspects have to be considered

1. Dehydration

diarrhea is associated with a significant amount of fluid loss from the body. Immediate care should be provided to replenish the lost fluid. Drinking plenty of water and other electrolyte balanced fluids (like diluted and pulp-free fruit juices, broths ). Make sure to hydrate throughout the day. the body loses water each time patient has diarrhea. By drinking plenty of extra fluids, you are protecting the patient from dehydration

2. Electrolyte imbalance

the next dreaded complication is electrolyte imbalance especially when there was low potassium already. Adequate electrolytes should be supplemented through feeds and IV fluids. it night present as Weakness and fatigue, muscle cramps and pain, Worsening diabetes control or polyuria, Palpitation, Psychological symptoms (eg, psychosis, delirium, hallucinations, depression)

3.Continuous vitals monitoring

is another important thing in the management of diarrhea. Hypotension could be the first sign of shock which needs emergency interventions. Also when already patient is having low potassium there is an increased risk of cardiovascular collapse

4. Continue the oral feeds

it's important to continue the oral feeds at the earliest. Light soft solids that are rich in fiber can be started at the earliest.

5 Hand hygiene

Care should be provided to keep hand hygiene for both the patient and the healthcare worker. Soap and water have to be used for cleaning hands. this prevents chances of re-infection.

pathophysiology of Cryptosporidium infection

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite that resides inside the intestinal cells of vertebrates. oocysts of which are highly infectious. The oocysts are infectious immediately after excretion, and the life cycle of the parasite produces forms that reinvade the intestine. there is marked resistance of Cryptosporidium species to treatment. Large numbers of oocysts are excreted and are resistant even to chlorinated water.

Cryptosporidiosis typically presents with watery diarrhea. The mechanism is mediated by the host response to infection. Severe disease is characterized by villous atrophy and crypto-hyperplasia. In immunocompetent persons, the infection is usually limited to the small intestine. In persons with AIDS or certain congenital immunodeficiencies, the biliary and respiratory tracts may be involved.