2/15/2016 7 Gastroenteritis Nursing Care Plans Nurseslabs http://nurseslabs.

com/gastroenteritis-
nursingcareplans/ 1/8 7 Gastroenteritis Nursing Care Plans By Matt Vera, RN Nov 4, 2011 74 Facebook 2
122 2 Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestinal tract that primarily affects the
small bowel. The major clinical manifestations are diarrhea of varying degrees and abdominal pain and
cramping. Associated clinical manifestations are nausea, vomiting, fever anorexia, distention, tenesmus
(straining on defecation), and borborygmi (hyperactive bowel sounds). Nursing Care Plans Contents
[show] 2/15/2016 7 Gastroenteritis Nursing Care Plans Nurseslabs
http://nurseslabs.com/gastroenteritisnursingcareplans/ 2/8 The nursing goals for patients with Acute
Gastroenteritis are toward avoiding dehydration and management of diarrhea. This post contains 4
nursing care plans and 3 possible nursing diagnoses for AGE. Diarrhea Diarrhea is defined as an increase
in the frequency, volume and fluid content of stool. Rapid propulsion of intestinal contents through the
small bowel results in diarrhea. Diarrhea is a hallmark sign of gastroenteritis. Assessment Patient may
manifest Hyperactive bowel sounds Audible borborygmi Passage of loose liquid watery stools for more
than 3 times Poor skin turgor Dehydration Dry lips and oral mucosa Altered LOC Pain Stomach cramping
Nursing Diagnosis Diarrhea Outcomes Patient will verbalize understanding of causative factors and
rationale for treatment regimen. Patient will reestablish and maintain normal pattern of bowel
functioning AEB passage of semi-solid stools Nursing Interventions Rationale Establish rapport To gain
patient’s trust 2/15/2016 7 Gastroenteritis Nursing Care Plans Nurseslabs
http://nurseslabs.com/gastroenteritisnursingcareplans/ 3/8 Assess general condition and vital signs For
baseline data Auscultate abdomen For presence, location, and characteristics of bowel sounds Discuss
the different causative factors and rationale for treatment regimen For patient education Restrict solid
food intake To allow for bowel rest and reduce intestinal workload Provide for changes in dietary intake
To prevent foods/substances that precipitate diarrhea Limit caffeine and high-fiber foods and so as fatty
foods To prevent gastric irritation Promote use of relaxation technique To decrease stress and anxiety
that can aggravate diarrhea Encourage oral fluid intake of fluids containing electrolyte For fluid
replacement Recommend products like yogurt and cultured milk To restore normal flora Emphasize
importance of handwashing To prevent spread of infectious diseases Acute Pain One of the
manifestations of gastroenteritis is abdominal pain. During the course of inflammation, the body’s
immune response, causing the release of cytokine and prostaglandin causing an increase in vascular
permeability and causes pain, which felt by the patient in the abdomen. Assessment Patient may
manifest 2/15/2016 7 Gastroenteritis Nursing Care Plans Nurseslabs
http://nurseslabs.com/gastroenteritisnursingcareplans/ 4/8 Abdominal Pain Appears weak Limited
range of motion Restlessness Verbalization of pain with a pain Facial grimaces Irritability Impaired
thought process Reduced interaction with people sleep disturbances Diaphoresis Nursing Diagnosis
Acute Pain Outcomes Patient will report a decrease of pain. Patient will be free from pain and
demonstrate relaxational skills. Nursing Interventions Rationale Review factor that aggravate or alleviate
pain To lessen/alleviate pain caused by various factors (administer meds via IV push) Instruct the SO to
massage the area where pain is elicited if not contraindicated To reduce pain and promote
relief/comfort Encourage pain reduction techniques To promote healing and provide
nonpharmacological pain reduction techniques Provide adequate rest To reduce pain and promote
relief/comfort Provide diversional activities like socialization For client’s comfort and relief from pain
Administer analgesics to maintain acceptable level of pain if not contraindicated For client’s comfort and
relief from pain Instruct client to perform deep breathing exercises (DBE) Deep breathing exercises may
reduce pain sensation/ used in pain management To promote timely intervention/ revision of
2/15/2016 7 Gastroenteritis Nursing Care Plans Nurseslabs http://nurseslabs.com/gastroenteritis-
nursingcareplans/ 5/8 Monitor effectiveness of pain medications plan of care Deficient Fluid Volume
Rapid propulsion of intestinal contents through the small bowels may lead to a serious fluid volume
deficit. The body would want to expel the foreign objective as much as possible thus it doesn’t undergo
its “normal” speed, with that, the digestive system organs are not able to absorb the excess fluids that
are usually absorbed by the body. Assessment Patient may manifest passage of loose watery stool
vomiting abdominal cramping dehydration nausea fatigue weakness nervousness confusion weight loss
decreased skin turgor decreased urine output dry mucous membrane fever Nursing Diagnosis Deficient
fluid volume RT excessive losses through normal routes AEB frequent passage of loose watery stool
Outcomes 2/15/2016 7 Gastroenteritis Nursing Care Plans Nurseslabs
http://nurseslabs.com/gastroenteritisnursingcareplans/ 6/8 Patient will report understanding of
causative factors for fluid volume deficit Patient will maintain fluid volume at functional level AEB well
hydrated, intake is equal as output, and normal skin turgor. Nursing Interventions Rationale Maintain
adequate hydration, increase fluid intake. To prevent dehydration & maintain hydration status. Provide
frequent oral care To prevent from dryness Administer Intravenous fluids as prescribed To deliver fluids
accurately and at desired rates. Determine effects of age. Very young and extremely elderly individuals
are quickly affected by fluid volume deficit Restrict solid food intake, as indicated To allow for bowel rest
and to reduced intestinal workload. Discuss individual risk factors/ potential problems and specific
interventions To prevent or limit occurrence of fluid deficit. Activity Intolerance Activity intolerance is
insufficient physiological or psychological energy poor endure or complete required or desired daily
activities. Because of low hgb and hct level there will be decrease oxygen being delivered to the tissues
of the body since the hgb is responsible for the oxygenation of tissue. As a compensatory mechanism,
the body will increase its demand of oxygen by increasing respiratory rate of the patient which results
then to fatigue. Because of this there will be fast consumption of ATP leading to weaker contractions
thus causing muscle weakness. And if the patient has muscle weakness there will be activity intolerance.
Assessment Patient may manifest 2/15/2016 7 Gastroenteritis Nursing Care Plans Nurseslabs
http://nurseslabs.com/gastroenteritisnursingcareplans/ 7/8 Weakness Restlessness Physical inactivity
Increase respiratory rate Fatigue Low hgb count Low hct count Nursing Diagnosis Activity intolerance
related to generalized weakness AEB limited physical activity. Outcomes Patient will identify negative
factors affecting activity intolerance and eliminate or reduce their effects. Patient will participate
willingly in necessary or desired activities. Nursing Interventions Rationale Provide health teaching on
the client regarding the organization and time management technique to prevent while on activity To
enhance patient ability to participate in activity Provide enough air coming from the electric fan or from
the window To monitor patients response to activities Develop and adjust simple activity like brushing
his teeth To prevent overexertion Assist client with activity To protect patient from injury Promote
comfort measures on the activity To prevent over-exhaustion Cluster nursing care To prevent over-
exhaustion Ascertain ability to stand and move about degree of assistance To determine current status
and needs Encourage complete bed rest For patient recuperation and recovery Other Possible Nursing
Care Plans 2/15/2016 7 Gastroenteritis Nursing Care Plans Nurseslabs
http://nurseslabs.com/gastroenteritisnursingcareplans/ 8/8 Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body
Requirements due to insufficient intake and excessive output; Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume (if
diarrhea does not occur or intake of fluids is insufficient but does not have any signs of dehydration);
Hyperthermia RT inflammatory process. See Also: Nursing Care Plans Matt Vera, RN
http://nurseslabs.com Matt Vera is a registered nurse and one of the main editors for Nurseslabs.com.
Enjoys health technology and innovations about nursing and medicine, in general.