Case: Baby C

Case: Baby C., 3 months old, has severe, watery diarrhea and fever for the past 24 hours. She is apathetic and responds weakly to stimulation. She has been diagnosed with viral gastroenteritis. Pathophysiology — In your own words, walk through the sequence of fluid and electrolyte losses Baby C. is experiencing, and explain specifically why an infant her age dehydrates so much faster than an adult would with the same illness. Reference at least one point from this week’s lecture, not just the textbook definition. Complications — Baby C.’s mother is frightened and asks you what could happen if this isn’t brought under control soon. Write the explanation you’d actually give her in plain language — then briefly name the clinical complication(s) you were describing. Twist — Now imagine Baby C. were 8 years old instead of 3 months, with the same symptoms and severity. Would her risk be the same, greater, or less — and why? Diagnostic Findings — What diagnostic findings would confirm how se