Diarrhea

Dehydration Severity Scale for Children

• for use in children between 1 month and 3 years

1. A patient presents to the pharmacy complaining of 4 loose stools watery stools per day for the last 6 days. Which of the following best classifies their diarrhea? 

a) Acute

b) Persistent

c) Chronic

d) Infectious

2. All of the following may cause diarrhea except

a) Bacteria

b) Gut motility disorders

c) Opioid withdrawal 

d) Hypothyroidism

3. Which of the following are red flags for referral? 

a) Children < 2 

b) Immunocompromised patient

c) 6 or more BMs / day for > 48 hours

d) All of the above

4. Which of the following is the most appropriate pharm therapy for a patient presenting with no red flags and moderate-severe diarrhea? 

a) oral rehydration therapy only 

b) attapulgite

c) loperamide

d) bismuth subsalicylate

5. Which of the following is true regarding antibiotic therapy for diarrhea?

a) It is only indicated for bacterial diarrhea

b) Antibiotics may worsen diarrhea

c) Antibiotics do not shorten the course of diarrhea

d) All of the above