Diarrhea Diagnosis

Diarrhea is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and various diagnostic tests. The healthcare provider may ask about the duration, frequency, and characteristics of the diarrhea, as well as other symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, and nausea.

Nursing diagnosis for diarrhea includes:

• Risk for imbalanced fluid volume related to fluid loss through diarrhea.
• Risk for impaired skin integrity related to irritation and breakdown of perianal skin.
• Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to malabsorption of nutrients due to diarrhea.
• Risk for infection related to altered bowel flora and exposure to infectious agents.
• Anxiety related to fear of the consequences of diarrhea, such as loss of control or embarrassment.

There are four types of diarrhea:

1. Secretory diarrhea
2. Osmotic diarrhea
3. Inflammatory diarrhea
4. Motility-related diarrhea

The diagnosis for diarrhea and fever may vary depending on the underlying cause. It could be a bacterial or viral infection, inflammatory bowel disease, or other medical conditions. A healthcare provider may perform a physical exam, review the medical history, and order laboratory tests such as stool cultures or blood tests to help determine the cause of diarrhea and fever.