Which of the following mineral is supplemented to children with ORS in Diarrhea?

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

Explanation

Zinc is recommended by WHO and UNICEF as an adjunct to ORS for treating acute diarrhea in children.
It works by reducing the duration and severity of the diarrheal episode.
Zinc supplementation helps in the regeneration of the intestinal epithelium, which is damaged during diarrhea.
A 10-14 day course also provides a prophylactic effect, reducing the incidence of diarrhea for the following 2-3 months.

Option B: Iron is not used for acute diarrhea management and can cause gastrointestinal side effects, potentially worsening the condition.
Option C: Calcium is essential for bone health and neuromuscular function but has no role in the standard treatment protocol for acute diarrhea.
Option D: Folic acid is a B-vitamin used for treating specific types of anemia and preventing neural tube defects; it does not treat diarrhea.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pharmacological management of acute diarrhea in children, specifically micronutrient supplementation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing responsibility is educating parents on the correct preparation of ORS and the importance of completing the full 10-14 day course of zinc, even if the diarrhea stops earlier. This prevents recurrence.
Nurses must assess for signs of dehydration (e.g., sunken eyes, lethargy, decreased skin turgor) and advise immediate medical attention if severe signs are present.
What if? The child vomits after taking the zinc tablet. The nurse should advise the parent to wait for about 30 minutes and then administer the dose again. If vomiting persists, medical advice should be sought.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core clinical problem in the question: management of diarrhea in children.
Next, recall the standard, evidence-based treatment protocols. The primary treatment is rehydration with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS).
Consider any adjunct therapies recommended by major health organizations like WHO. For pediatric diarrhea, this is a key piece of knowledge.
Evaluate each option based on its primary physiological role. Zinc is known for its role in immunity and gut health.
Eliminate options whose primary function is unrelated to acute diarrhea management (e.g., Iron for anemia, Calcium for bones, Folic acid for cell division).
Select the mineral that is specifically recommended as a supplement alongside ORS in this context.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Pharmacological management of acute diarrhea in children, specifically micronutrient supplementation.
Stem keywords: mineral, supplemented, children, ORS, Diarrhea
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following

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