Aquifer Pediatrics: Case 15 - Two
siblings with vomiting Questions and
Answers Verified Solutions Latest
Update (2026/2027)
Question:
List items in your broad working differential diagnosis for Caleb's symptoms
(diarrhea > vomiting)
Answer:
Viral gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis
Surgical process (e. g., small bowel obstruction, appendicitis)
Inflammatory bowel disease
Viral gastroenteritis is a common diagnosis in children, typically presenting
with both vomiting
and diarrhea.
Bacterial gastroenteritis classically presents with bloody or profuse diarrhea
Small bowel obstruction would most likely have vomiting and not diarrhea.
Emesis may be bilious
if the obstruction is below the Ampulla of Vater, as is often the case in
volvulus.
Appendicitis typically presents with abdominal pain as the primary feature,
but patients may also
have vomiting and diarrhea, and often have fever.
Inflammatory bowel disease would present with chronic diarrhea, often
bloody, and usually not
with vomiting
Regardless of the suspected diagnosis, it is always essential to evaluate for
dehydration in a child
with vomiting and/or diarrhea.
, Dr. Whitman agrees with you that Caleb is mildly to moderately dehydrated.
She asks how you
would like to provide rehydration. Choose the single best answer.
A. Send him home with instructions to begin oral rehydration with a
commercially prepared
solution
B. Send him home with instructions to encourage fluids including diluted
formula and sports
beverages
C. Begin oral rehydration with a commercially prepared solution while
monitoring Caleb in the
pediatric clinic
Question:
D. Begin IV fluids in the pediatric clinic
E. Arrange for hospital admission for IV fluids
Answer:
The correct answer is C.
In Caleb's case, it is reasonable to begin ORT under supervision (C), to
confirm that he will drink
the glucose-electrolyte solution and that he improves appropriately.
Question:
Calculating Rehydration Volume in Mild-Moderate Dehydration
Answer:
The
recommended fluid replacement volume for mild-moderate dehydration is
50-100 mL/kg, to be
replaced over 2-4 hours.
siblings with vomiting Questions and
Answers Verified Solutions Latest
Update (2026/2027)
Question:
List items in your broad working differential diagnosis for Caleb's symptoms
(diarrhea > vomiting)
Answer:
Viral gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis
Surgical process (e. g., small bowel obstruction, appendicitis)
Inflammatory bowel disease
Viral gastroenteritis is a common diagnosis in children, typically presenting
with both vomiting
and diarrhea.
Bacterial gastroenteritis classically presents with bloody or profuse diarrhea
Small bowel obstruction would most likely have vomiting and not diarrhea.
Emesis may be bilious
if the obstruction is below the Ampulla of Vater, as is often the case in
volvulus.
Appendicitis typically presents with abdominal pain as the primary feature,
but patients may also
have vomiting and diarrhea, and often have fever.
Inflammatory bowel disease would present with chronic diarrhea, often
bloody, and usually not
with vomiting
Regardless of the suspected diagnosis, it is always essential to evaluate for
dehydration in a child
with vomiting and/or diarrhea.
, Dr. Whitman agrees with you that Caleb is mildly to moderately dehydrated.
She asks how you
would like to provide rehydration. Choose the single best answer.
A. Send him home with instructions to begin oral rehydration with a
commercially prepared
solution
B. Send him home with instructions to encourage fluids including diluted
formula and sports
beverages
C. Begin oral rehydration with a commercially prepared solution while
monitoring Caleb in the
pediatric clinic
Question:
D. Begin IV fluids in the pediatric clinic
E. Arrange for hospital admission for IV fluids
Answer:
The correct answer is C.
In Caleb's case, it is reasonable to begin ORT under supervision (C), to
confirm that he will drink
the glucose-electrolyte solution and that he improves appropriately.
Question:
Calculating Rehydration Volume in Mild-Moderate Dehydration
Answer:
The
recommended fluid replacement volume for mild-moderate dehydration is
50-100 mL/kg, to be
replaced over 2-4 hours.
