What is the main objective of ORS Therapy during diarrhea in a child?

Appeared in: MP CHO -2021 (Shift 1st)

Explanation

Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) has a multi-faceted approach to managing diarrhea.
Its primary goal is to prevent dehydration by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes as they occur.
It also serves to correct existing water and electrolyte imbalances in a child who is already dehydrated.
The ultimate and most critical objective is to reduce mortality from diarrheal diseases, which is achieved by managing dehydration effectively.
Since all three listed options are key goals of ORS therapy, the most comprehensive answer is 'All of these'.

Option A: This is a correct objective, but it is not the only one. ORS therapy also corrects existing dehydration and reduces mortality. Therefore, it is an incomplete answer.
Option B: While reducing mortality is a crucial outcome and a major goal of global health programs using ORS, it is the result of the more immediate physiological objectives of preventing and correcting dehydration.
Option C: This is a core physiological function of ORS, but it's not the sole objective. Preventing dehydration from starting is also a key goal. This option is incomplete.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Objectives of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
ORS is the cornerstone of managing acute diarrhea and is a first-line treatment recommended by WHO and UNICEF.
Nurses play a vital role in educating caregivers on the correct preparation (one packet in 1 liter of clean water) and administration (small, frequent sips) of ORS.
It is crucial to teach caregivers to discard any unused ORS solution after 24 hours to prevent bacterial contamination.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the purpose of ORS therapy in childhood diarrhea.
Analyze each option individually. Think about whether 'Prevent Dehydration' is a goal of ORS. It is.
Next, consider if 'Reduce Mortality' is a goal. Since dehydration from diarrhea is a major cause of death, this is also a correct goal.
Then, evaluate if 'To correct water and electrolyte imbalance' is a goal. This is the direct physiological action of ORS. So, it is also correct.
When multiple options are individually correct, look for an 'All of the above' or 'All of these' option. In this case, since options A, B, and C are all valid objectives, 'All of these' is the most complete and accurate answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Objectives of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT)
Stem keywords: ORS Therapy, diarrhea, child, main objective
Lead-in keywords: What is
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.

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E6 Text Book Of Pediatric Nursing 3rd Panchali Pal — Part 2 (pp 239-476 of 713) p. 147-149

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 311-313

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 153-155

Practise the full MP CHO -2021 (Shift 1st)

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