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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Why Is Potassium Chloride Given For Severe Gastroenteritis?

An 8 year old is in the hospital for severe gastroenterits and has an IV. An order was given to add potassium chloride to the IV. Which of these signs are the most criical to know? Ability to have bowel movements independently, able to eat solid foods, able to void or that the bowel sounds are active?
Thu, 14 Apr 2016
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,Dear,Thanks for your query to HCM.
Dear I read facts of your query and reviewed it in context to your query health issues.
I understood your health concerns and feel Concerned about them.

Based on the facts of your query the reply of your query is-
YOur 8 yr old seem to suffer-following critical signs,which indicate the need for IV potassium chloride-
-Have silent abdomen with no bowel sounds,
-and so can't move bowels independently
-and hence can't eat solid food
Do's Suggested-
Just Co-ordinate with your doctor and don't waste time in being hypochondriac.
Your Paediatric doctor would be doing all that is needed to treat your 8 yr child.
At the most You can think of Second opinion of another Paediatric to check if your child is being treated on right lines.

Correct remedy would be-
Nil By Mouth-till suggested from your doctor,as child is suffering from severe gastro-enteritis with lot of fluid and mineral loss.
Bland liquid Diet / and fluids with juices- as the child recovers and the loose stools / vomits have stopped with specific medicines- like antibiotics / stool binding agents.
This is the right treatment-for your ailing child with severe gastroenteritis.Other causes-need to be ruled out in any case.
Constant followup for long term would give you long remissions in time to come,which would depend on meticulous followup treatment of your health concerns.

Just don't worry and be patient and co-operate with your doctors,till you verify with your attending doctors.Need to Check with Consulting Paediatrician- if need be, if things don't recover.

For early recovery-please follow above do's which would resolve your complex health issues.

Hope this would help you to treat your health issues in the best way possible.

Welcome for any further query in this regard to following link-
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=70229

Wishing Good Healthy Life!!

Dr.Savaskar M.N.
Senior Surgical Specialist
M.S.Genl-CVTS
I find this answer helpful
General & Family Physician,  Dr. Dr. Parth Goswami's  Response
Hi thanks for asking question.

Noted child having gastroenteritis.
There might be diarrhea in your case.
So to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance potassium might prescribed...
Your doctor might have done child's potassium estimation in blood...If it comes low below 3.5 then supplementation might done because of that...

Hope your concern solved.

Take care.

Dr.Parth
I find this answer helpful
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Why Is Potassium Chloride Given For Severe Gastroenteritis?

Hi,Dear,Thanks for your query to HCM. Dear I read facts of your query and reviewed it in context to your query health issues. I understood your health concerns and feel Concerned about them. Based on the facts of your query the reply of your query is- YOur 8 yr old seem to suffer-following critical signs,which indicate the need for IV potassium chloride- -Have silent abdomen with no bowel sounds, -and so can t move bowels independently -and hence can t eat solid food Do s Suggested- Just Co-ordinate with your doctor and don t waste time in being hypochondriac. Your Paediatric doctor would be doing all that is needed to treat your 8 yr child. At the most You can think of Second opinion of another Paediatric to check if your child is being treated on right lines. Correct remedy would be- Nil By Mouth-till suggested from your doctor,as child is suffering from severe gastro-enteritis with lot of fluid and mineral loss. Bland liquid Diet / and fluids with juices- as the child recovers and the loose stools / vomits have stopped with specific medicines- like antibiotics / stool binding agents. This is the right treatment-for your ailing child with severe gastroenteritis.Other causes-need to be ruled out in any case. Constant followup for long term would give you long remissions in time to come,which would depend on meticulous followup treatment of your health concerns. Just don t worry and be patient and co-operate with your doctors,till you verify with your attending doctors.Need to Check with Consulting Paediatrician- if need be, if things don t recover. For early recovery-please follow above do s which would resolve your complex health issues. Hope this would help you to treat your health issues in the best way possible. Welcome for any further query in this regard to following link- http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=70229 Wishing Good Healthy Life!! Dr.Savaskar M.N. Senior Surgical Specialist M.S.Genl-CVTS