oral rehydration solution (ors)
Patient Counselling
Patient Counselling
Patient should follow instructions on the product label carefully. The contents of each sachet should be dissolved in sufficient drinking water. The use of fruit juices, pop or tea with sugar is not suitable due to high concentration of carbohydrate. If water is from tap, it should be sanitized first. The solution should be made up immediately prior to feeding and any solution remaining an hour after reconstitution should be discarded. However, the solution may be used for up to 24 hours if stored in a refrigerator immediately after reconstitution. The reconstituted solution must not be boiled. ORS can be discontinued after diarrhea is resolved. The age-appropriated food should be given to patients immediately after rehydration.(1)
ORS should be given to children as soon as they have diarrhea and continue until diarrhea is resolved.(1) If a child refuses ORS, the solution can be given by a smaller teaspoon. If vomiting occurs, ORS should be given in 15 ml every 10-15 minutes until vomiting stops, then continuing with the regular amount. If vomiting does not stop after 4-6 hours, the child should be sent to emergency department.(1) For children with mild to moderate dehydration, the ORS should be given 50ml/kg over the first 4 hours; for children with moderate to severe dehydration, the ORS should be given 100 ml/kg over the first 4 hours. The rehydration phase may last from 4-12 hours depending upon individual patient.(2) Breastfeeding should be continued during diarrhea while ORS is given to children.
References:
(1) Forrester A. Chapter 32 Diarrhea. Patient Self-Care: Helping Your Patient Make Therapeutic Choices. 2nd Edition. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010: 281-295.
(2) E-Therapeutics. Gastrointestinal Disorders: Diarrhea. Available at: https://www.e-therapeutics.ca/tc.showChapter.action?documentId=c0113. Accessibility verified July 11, 2014.
Patient should follow instructions on the product label carefully. The contents of each sachet should be dissolved in sufficient drinking water. The use of fruit juices, pop or tea with sugar is not suitable due to high concentration of carbohydrate. If water is from tap, it should be sanitized first. The solution should be made up immediately prior to feeding and any solution remaining an hour after reconstitution should be discarded. However, the solution may be used for up to 24 hours if stored in a refrigerator immediately after reconstitution. The reconstituted solution must not be boiled. ORS can be discontinued after diarrhea is resolved. The age-appropriated food should be given to patients immediately after rehydration.(1)
ORS should be given to children as soon as they have diarrhea and continue until diarrhea is resolved.(1) If a child refuses ORS, the solution can be given by a smaller teaspoon. If vomiting occurs, ORS should be given in 15 ml every 10-15 minutes until vomiting stops, then continuing with the regular amount. If vomiting does not stop after 4-6 hours, the child should be sent to emergency department.(1) For children with mild to moderate dehydration, the ORS should be given 50ml/kg over the first 4 hours; for children with moderate to severe dehydration, the ORS should be given 100 ml/kg over the first 4 hours. The rehydration phase may last from 4-12 hours depending upon individual patient.(2) Breastfeeding should be continued during diarrhea while ORS is given to children.
References:
(1) Forrester A. Chapter 32 Diarrhea. Patient Self-Care: Helping Your Patient Make Therapeutic Choices. 2nd Edition. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010: 281-295.
(2) E-Therapeutics. Gastrointestinal Disorders: Diarrhea. Available at: https://www.e-therapeutics.ca/tc.showChapter.action?documentId=c0113. Accessibility verified July 11, 2014.