C. Frequency, amount, and character of stools. D. Presence of other symptoms such as flatus, cramping, nausea, abdominal distension, tenesmus, bleeding, and rectal excoriation. B. Usual eating habits, any change in eating habits, and amount of residue in diet. C. Signs of dehydration such as poor skin turgor, serum electrolyte imbalance, increased weakness, or fatigue. Present level of stress, coping patterns, and impact of signs and symptoms of enteritis on usual lifestyle patterns.
Symptoms usually resolve with medications, dietary changes, and rest.
If symptoms become severe despite these measures, a treatment break may be warranted. Kaopectate, an antidiarrheal agent. Dose can be adjusted to the individual patient and his or her pattern of diarrhea. For example, one patient may achieve control of his or her diarrhea with 1 tablet tid, while another may require 2 tablets every 4 hours. Patients are not to exceed 8 tablets of Lomotil within a 24-hour period.