Gastrointestinal CPG

Question 1

what is gastroentinitis defined as in this CPG?

Answer 1

acute onset of diarrhoea 3 or more loose stool movments iin 24 hours, and associated symptoms including nausea/vommitting, abdo cramping and lethargy/fever

Question 2

what may the presence of blood in stool indicate?

Answer 2

bacterial or paracitic infection or GIT heamorrage

Question 3

what is the major principle of this guideline?

Answer 3

maintaing adequate hydration and referal to pts local pharmacist or GP

Question 4

what are the general symptoms for a GIT bacterial infection?

Answer 4

high fever over 40 degrees, sevre abdominal crmaping and bloody diorhea

Question 5

when should pts be advised to seek further medical attention?

Answer 5

if after 48 hours from onset of their symptoms they are not improving, or have worsened

Question 6

what would make you not proceed with this CPG?

Answer 6

pt requires timley hopsital investigation or managment: significant dehydration requiring IV fluids, potential GIT bleed, sevre persistance abdo cramping, BGL >17
symptoms may be due to differential diagnosis- absence of diorhea or pst hx of inflamatory bowel disease
paitents have ahigher risk of complication if they are pregnant- co-morbidities

Question 7

if a pt is appropirate for self-care and initial managment at home what should be done?

Answer 7

provide fact sheet
refer pt to pharmacyst for further medications and advice
refer to GP is symptoms dont improve in 48 hours
pt recently returened from overseas or if temp greater than 40
if nausea/vom sevre then consider ondansetrone
confirm pt understands advice before departingthe scene