Homemade Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) can be prepared by using 1 litre safe water, 1/2 teaspoon (3.5 g) salt and _____ of sugar.

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The standard WHO-recommended recipe for homemade ORS, when pre-packaged sachets are unavailable, is 6 level teaspoons of sugar and 1/2 level teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 litre of clean water.
This specific concentration of sugar (glucose) and salt (sodium) is optimized for the sodium-glucose cotransport system in the gut.
Glucose enhances the absorption of sodium across the intestinal wall, and water follows by osmosis, effectively rehydrating the body during diarrheal episodes.
Six level teaspoons provide approximately 20-25 grams of sugar, which creates the correct osmolarity for optimal absorption without worsening diarrhea.

Option A: This amount of sugar is too low, resulting in a hypotonic solution that is less effective for rehydration as there isn't enough glucose to maximize sodium and water co-transport.
Option B: This amount of sugar (40g) is too high. It creates a hypertonic solution, which can draw water into the intestine and worsen osmotic diarrhea, leading to further dehydration.
Option D: This is a significantly insufficient amount of sugar. The resulting solution would have very limited efficacy in promoting the absorption of electrolytes and water.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Preparation of homemade Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's primary role is to educate caregivers on the correct preparation and administration of ORS. It is vital to demonstrate what a 'level teaspoon' means to prevent incorrect mixing.
Incorrectly mixed ORS can be dangerous. Too much salt can lead to hypernatremia (high sodium in the blood), while too much sugar can worsen diarrhea.
Administration Guidelines: For children under 2 years, give 50-100 mL after each loose stool. For children 2-10 years, give 100-200 mL. For older children and adults, allow them to drink as much as they desire.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests knowledge of a standard public health recommendation.
First, identify the core of the question: the correct recipe for homemade ORS.
Recall the standard WHO formula: 1 litre of water, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 6 teaspoons of sugar.
Scan the options to find the one that matches the recalled amount of sugar.
Option C directly corresponds to the standard recipe, including a reasonable weight approximation (20-25g).
Eliminate other options by considering the consequences of incorrect concentrations (too little sugar is ineffective, too much sugar worsens diarrhea).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Preparation of homemade Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)
Stem keywords: Homemade Oral Rehydration Solution, ORS, 1 litre water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, sugar
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE

Q7mL7fK--WLGkU2TiW8iqO

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1369-1371

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 80-82

Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.