The nurse taking the history of an 80-year-old woman diagnosed with gastroenteritis would recognize that the most significant factor in determining potential for complications in this client is
A) age.
B) family history.
C) gender.
D) prior bouts of gastroenteritis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Most cases of gastroenteritis are temporarily disabling and self-limiting, with resolution in 1 to 5 days. However, gastroenteritis can be fatal in debilitated, older, or very young people. Dehydration is a common cause of death in these cases, and the elderly tend to be slightly dehydrated as a baseline.

The Nurse Taking the History of an 80-Year-Old Woman Diagnosed