For 2nd year B.Sc Nursing students.

1. GASTRO
ENTERITIS
Presented By:
Mr. Nandish.S
Asso. Professor
Mandya Institute of Nursing Sciences.

3. Definition :
• It is an inflammation & irritation of stomach & small intestine.
• It is an inflammation of lining of stomach & intestine.
• It is an illness triggered by infection & inflammation of digestive
system.
• It is also called as infectious diarrhoea or stomach flu.

4. Etiology :
• Infectious
• Non infectious
Infectious causes:
1) Bacterial – Campylobacter Jejuni (exposure to poultry),
- Escherichia Coli
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Clostridium Difficile
- Staphylococcus Aureus

5. 2) Viral – Rotavirus , Norovirus(leading causative agent in adults),
Adenovirus, Astrovirus
3) Parasitic – Giardia Lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, cryptosporidium
4) Other modes of transmission : drinking contaminated water, sharing
personal objects, bottle feeding of babies, crowded households.

7. Non – infectious :
- Consumption of NSAID’s.
- Food intolerance (Lactose, Gluten)
- Food poisoning (contaminated predatory fish or spoiled fish or
improperly preserved food)

8. Pathophysiology :
Due to infection
Inflammatory changes in the large intestine
Increase in number of pathogens
Clinical features

9. Clinical Manifestations :
 Nausea & vomiting
 Anorexia
 Bloating
 Watery Diarrhoea
 Abdominal cramping
 Fever
 Abdominal distension

11. Diagnostic Studies :
• History collection & physical examination
• CBC (increases WBC)
• Stool examination (blood or mucus in stool)
• Blood culture

12. Prevention :
- Provision of uncontaminated, safe drinking water.
- Personal hygiene measures (hand washing by using soap under
running water)
- Breast feeding to infants
- WHO recommends vaccination against two common problems :
Rotavirus vaccine & Oral Cholera vaccine
- Consumption of balanced diet & vitamin ‘C’ rich foods.

13. Management :
Rehydration :
- NPO till vomiting stops
- IV fluids are administered to avoid dehydration
- Fluids containing glucose & electrolytes are started once patient can
tolerate oral diet.(ORS supplement is preferred)
- NG Tube feeding is planned if patient is having vomiting.
- Avoid soft drinks & fruit juices.

14. Dietary :
o Breast feeding for infants.
o Lactose free or lactose reduced.
o Correct preparation of meals / food & serving of food immediately
after cooking food.
o Immediate refrigeration of food products & monitoring of food
handlers.
o Boiling of suspected canned food for 15 mins before serving.

15. Nursing Management / Interventions :
- Accurate monitoring of Intake – output chart.
- Strict medical asepsis to be followed (to prevent infection).
- Teach family members about safe cooking methods.
- Provide adequate bed rest.
- Administration of antibiotics as per doctor’s order.