Introduction Gastroenteritis is some form of inflammation caused by a pathogen. The pathogens may include bacteria, viruses, or parasites (European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases [ESPID], 2008). This inflammation occurs in the intestinal lining and may cause vomiting or diarrhea (World Health Organization [WHO], 2009). Tygat (2007) suggests that other signs and symptoms include cramping and pains in the abdomen. This condition is known to be caused by the rotavirus especially if a child is involved (Dalby-Payne & Elliott, 2009). However, there are different causative agents when it comes to adults. The main ones include the norovirus and the campylobacter (Mrukowicz, Szajewska, & Vesikari, 2008). Galanis (2007) argues that parasites and bacteria also cause the condition. However, this is usually a rare occurrence. The major symptoms of this condition are vomiting and diarrhea. At times, they may both occur concurrently. However, either one of them may occur on the victim. For example, one could only experience vomiting, which may be severe. When one contracts the infectious agent, the symptoms appear after a specific period. This could be a matter of few hours or as many as three days (Dennehy, 2011). This paper will look at the nursing management and interventions for vomiting as one of the major symptoms of gastroenteritis. Vomiting and the need for management By definition, vomiting is whereby an individual’s stomach content is forced out. It mainly exits through the stomach or the nose. The causes include food poisoning, gastritis and other related conditions such as gastroenteritis (Nyachuba, 2010). Vomiting may be deadly on some occasions and this is whereby proper symptom management is required. For example, if the contents of the stomach enter the air pipe, this may be dangerous. Some reflex actions including the gag reflex normally help reduce the risk of choking. However, these reflexes may be influenced if the victim is under the influence of alcohol. Another danger is asphyxiation. One may also suffer from aspiration pneumonia. Other effects of vomiting that require symptom management include dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. The electrolytes that are most influenced due to vomiting are potassium and sodium. When sodium levels in the body are elevated, this could be dangerous. This condition is referred to as hypernatremia. On the other hand, the levels of potassium may become dangerously low. When this occurs, it is referred to as hypokalemia. In cases where vomiting is severe and persistent, there may be the depletion of water in the body. This may lead to dehydration. This may also lead to the alteration of the electrolyte status. This is mainly because of the fact that the acids and chlorine in the stomach are lost in the process. Hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis is also a likely occurrence. An indirect effect of vomiting is hypokalemia. It occurs indirectly as an attempt to compensate for the lost acids. Although metabolic acidosis is a likely occurrence, it occurs less frequently. This occurs when the intestinal content is drawn back to the stomach. Recurrent and excessive vomiting has also been determined to cause the erosion of the food pipe (Lawrence, Dobmeier, Bechtel, & Holstege, 2007). In other cases, small tears may occur in the region. This is referred to as Mallory-Weiss tear. Research also indicates that repeated and profuse vomiting can affect the teeth. The enamel of the teeth can be destroyed in the process. Thi