5 Nursing Diagnosis related to Acute Diarrhea

Acute diarrhea is defined as the discharge of bowel movements once or more in the form of a liquid in a day and lasted less than fourteen days. Diarrhea is a condition that is not normal stool expenditure, usually characterized by increased volume, dilution and frequency of bowel movements more than 3 times a day with or without mucus and blood.

The presence of food that can not be absorbed by the intestinal lumen will cause osmotic pressure in the cavity resulting in increased intestinal absorption of water and electrolytes into the intestinal cavity. Excessive intestinal cavity contents will stimulate the intestine to release it, causing diarrhea. Non-pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal lumen (often called intestinal flora) can cause diarrhea. Normally through the process of fermentation of non-pathogenic intestinal bacteria metabolize a variety of substrates, especially of food substances with the end result of fatty acids and gases.

The anaerobic metabolism will provide additional energy for the body. Due to intestinal stasis, obstruction and malnutrition lead to an increase in the number of non-pathogenic bacteria so that the fermentation process food substances produce metabolites that are not wanted by the body. For example: lactose (from milk) is a good food for the non-pathogenic bacteria. Lactose will be fermented to produce gas and cause gastric distension.

Result of the high concentration of lactose causes an osmotic pressure in the intestinal lumen increases. Hyperosmolar state will absorb water from the intra-cellular, followed by an increase in intestinal peristalsis resulting in diarrhea.

5 Nursing Diagnosis related to Acute Diarrhea

1. Nursing Diagnosis : Deficient Fluid Volume
related to excessive fluid loss through the stool or vomit
characterized by :

Subjective data :

• thirst , nausea , anorexia .

Objective data :

• Inadequacy of oral fluid intake
• Negative balance between intake and output
• Weight loss
• Dry mucous membranes
• Decreased urine output
• Decrease in skin turgor
• Increase in serum sodium

2. Nursing Diagnosis :  Imbalanced Nutrition: less than body requirements
related to loss of fluids through diarrhea, inadequate intake is
characterized by :

Subjective data :

• Family clients reported a portion of food that is spent.
• Abdominal cramps.

Objective data :

• Weight loss below ideal body weight.
• Upper arm circumference below the ideal.
• Anemic conjunctiva.
• Anorexia.
• Muscle weakness.
• Decrease in serum albumin.

3. Nursing Diagnosis : Risk for infection
related to microorganisms that penetrate the gastrointestinal tract .

4. Nursing Diagnosis : Impaired skin integrity : perianal
related to irritation from diarrhea
characterized by :

Subjective data :

• Changes in comfort : pain, itching

Data obtektif :

• Damage to the skin layer ( dermis ) : lesions and skin irritation due to diaper.
• Perianal area moist and redness.

5. Nursing Diagnosis : Anxiety / fear
relatde to separation from parents , unfamiliar environment , stressful procedure
characterized by :

Subjective data :

• Reported feelings of anxiety , fear

Objective data :

• Restless
• Focus on yourself
• Less eye contact
• Choleric
• Tremor
• Facial tension
• Increased respiratory and pulse
• Sweat