Answer Page:

Paediatric - Assessment of Dehydration

(Counselling Station)

Patient Details

Physical Exam Findings

Task Answers

External Reference

Physical Examination Card

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Physical Examination Card

Physical examination card continued

Patient's Details

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Opening statement

Decreased oral intake

Not taking any medications

Family medical history

Questions to ask the doctor

Expectations from the doctor

DockRoach™ Approach

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Key Concepts Here

Key concepts continued

Reading time techniques

Reading time techniques (continued)

Qucikly think about the answers

Introduce yourself and ask for the patient's name

Structure for history taking (continued)

What is the color of the vomit?

Volume of the vomit each time

Dehydration questions

Differential diagnosis questions

Extraintestinal infections

Have you noticed any wheezing or crackling sounds when he breathes?

Drinks a lot of fruit juice or sugary drinks

Drinking formula or breast milk

Social and support system

Past medical and family history

Sign post to review the Physical Examination Card

Explanation of concerning findings

Pale, cold and mottled skin

Heart and blood pressure

Sign post the third task

Immediate focus on the hydration

Organizing transfer to the hospital

Multi-disciplinary care

Reading materials

Follow-up appointment

Concluding station

Quick relevant notes

Physical Findings of Severity of Dehydration in Infants and Children (continued)

Additional References:

Click on link below.

Patient Information

Explaining topic to patient

Gastroenteritis in children (Patient.info UK)

Diarrhoea in babies and children (Pregnancy, Birth & Baby AU)

About the fontanelle (Pregnancy, Birth & Baby AU)

Reliable online resources for learning on this topic.

Quick Notes

See diagrams or notes on topic

Gastroenteritis in children for Medical Professionals (Patient.info UK)

Dehydration in Children (MSD US)

Useful online resources for learning on this topic.

Guidelines & Articles

Diagnosis and management on topic

Dehydration (RCH.org.au)

Pediatric Dehydration (PubMed - National Library of Medicine, USA)

Gastroenteritis – Emergency management in children (Children’s Health Queensland AU)

Diagnosis and Management of Dehydration in Children (AAFP.org US)

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on this topic from the official website.

UpToDate

Detailed reading on topic

Acute viral gastroenteritis in children: Clinical features and diagnosis (UpToDate.com US)

Acute viral gastroenteritis in children: Management and prevention (UpToDate.com US)

Physical findings of volume depletion in infants and children (UpToDate.com US)

Patient education: Dehydration in children (The Basics) (UpToDate.com US)

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Tip Here:

In the AMC Clinical Examination, identifying severe dehydration in children is crucial. Prioritize IV fluids and hospital transfer.

This website has used the following for reference in preparing the contents.

Australian Medical Council (AMC) Handbook of Clinical Assessment reprinted 2018 edition

John Murtagh's General Practice 8th edition

Tally O'Conner's Clinical Examination 8th edition

Better Heath Channel

The Royal Women's Hospital Victoria Australia

Gynecology by Ten Teachers 20th edition

Obstetrics by Ten Teachers 20th edition

Paediatric Handbook 10th edition

Suggested reading material for examination preparation by the AMC

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG)