This topic revolves around a concerned parent whose two-year-old child, with an ileostomy, is experiencing some worrying symptoms. The child has passed a significant amount of bloody output, leading to a hospital visit. However, the parent feels that the hospital staff are not taking enough action to address the situation. Here are some insights and advice for the parent:
1. Keep an eye on the stoma's health and color to ensure there are no signs of infection, abscess, or ischemia.
2. It might be helpful to request cross-sectional imaging, like a CT scan or MRI, to check for any intra-abdominal issues, obstructions, or sources of bleeding. This is typically done early on when there's unexplained bleeding.
3. It's important to insist on establishing IV access. This can help with providing maintenance fluids, dextrose for low blood sugar, and electrolytes to prevent dehydration due to the high output.
4. Be assertive in advocating for your child. Keep requesting necessary imaging and IV fluids until they are provided. Sometimes, caregivers need to persistently prompt clinicians to take further action.
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