Final answer:
Discharge teaching for a 9m old with rotavirus includes continuing breastfeeding, using oral rehydration solutions, avoiding anti-diarrheal medications, keeping the child out of daycare until symptom-free, and ensuring vaccinations are up-to-date.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a 9m old with rotavirus mildly dehydrated is going home, the discharge teaching should include the following key points:
- Continue breastfeeding as usual, if the child is breastfed, to maintain hydration and nutrition.
- Use oral rehydration solutions (ORS) as recommended to replenish fluids and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea and vomiting.
- Avoid giving over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications such as Imodium (loperamide) or Kaopectate (bismuth subsalicylate), as they are not recommended for infants or young children and can be harmful.
- Keep the child out of daycare until they have fully recovered and are free of symptoms for a set period as per daycare policies, usually 24 hours.
- Understand that antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like rotavirus and therefore should not be part of the treatment unless there is a specific indication of a bacterial coinfection.
- Monitor the child's hydration status, watching for signs of adequate urine output, moist mouth, and tears when crying.
- Be aware that the rotavirus vaccine is recommended to prevent future infections, and ensure that the child's vaccinations are up to date according to the vaccine schedule.
It is essential for parents to recognize the signs of worsening dehydration and to seek medical attention if the child's condition does not improve or deteriorates.