ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY – Nurse Info ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY – Purpose, the Formula for ORS, Equipment Needed, Procedure, Action of ORT and General Instructions

ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY – Purpose, the Formula for ORS, Equipment Needed, Procedure, Action of ORT and General Instructions

UPDATED 2024

Oral
rehydration therapy (ORT) is the giving of fluid by mouth to prevent and/or
correct the dehydration that is a result of diarrhea

PURPOSE

• To prevent dehydration
• To prevent morbidity and mortality
  due to acute diarrheal diseases

THE FORMULA FOR ORS

The formula
for ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) recommended by WHO and UNICEF contains

• 3.5 g sodium chloride
• 2.9 g trisodium citrate dehydrate (or
  2.5 g solution bicarbonate)
• 1.5 g potassium chloride
• 20 g glucose (anhydrous)

The above
ingredients are dissolved in one liter of clean water

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Take one liter of boiled and cooled
  drinking water
• Clean glass of 200 ml capacity
• A clean vessel to mix the solution
• A clean spoon to mix the solution and
  feed the child

PROCEDURE

• Pour one liter of clean water into a
  clean vessel
• Open a packet of ORS and pour all the
  contents into the vessel
• Stir with a clean spoon till it
  completely dissolves
• Take some solution in a clean glass
• Feed the child frequently with small
  doses of the solution

ACTION OF ORT

• Oral rehydration therapy does not
  stop the diarrhea, but it replaces the lost fluids and essential salts thus
  preventing or treating dehydration and reducing the danger
• The glucose contained in ORS solution
  enables the intestine to absorb the fluid and the salts more effectively. ORT
  alone is an effective treatment for 90-95% of patients suffering from acute
  watery diarrhea regardless of cause

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Oral rehydration therapy is the
  cheap, simple and effective way to treat dehydration caused by diarrhea
• ORT is a safe and can be used to
  treat anyone suffering from diarrhea, without having to make a detailed
  diagnosis before the solution is given
• Children must always treat
  immediately because they become dehydrated more quickly
• The must learn to recognize the signs
  of dehydration which need ORS or special care
• If ORT is given at home early,
  dehydration can often be prevented and many children will not become so ill