E2 · Frequent loose stools
Actual Elimination
Definition
Watery or frequent stools that risk fluid loss, weakness, and skin damage.- Stomach infection
- antibiotics
- medicines
- food intolerance
- stress
- Watery stools many times a day
- cramps
- urgency
- sore skin
📋 Scenario
A hospital patient on antibiotics has seven watery stools in a day.
Subjective (S): "I keep running to the toilet and my bottom is sore."
Objective (O): 7 watery stools in 24 hours; skin around the anus red; temperature normal; on antibiotics.
Assessment tools for this scenario: CP-ELIM Elimination Check CP-SKIN Skin & Wound Score
Validated scales to consider: Bristol Stool Chart, bladder scan, Braden Scale, TIME wound chart
**CarePath diagnosis:** Frequent loose stools related to antibiotic use, as evidenced by 7 watery stools in 24 hours and red skin around the anus.
**Interventions and rationale**
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Replace fluids. | Frequent watery stools lose a lot of water and salts, and replacing them prevents dehydration. |
| Protect skin with barrier cream. | Stool irritates skin, and barrier cream protects it from breakdown and soreness. |
| Use infection precautions. | The cause may be infectious, so precautions such as gloves, handwashing and a separate toilet prevent spread to others. |
| Send a stool sample if ordered. | A stool test finds the cause, so the right treatment can be given. |
| Record each stool. | Records show how much fluid is being lost and whether the problem is improving. |
**Expected outcomes**
- Within 48 hours: stools return to a formed pattern, skin intact and not red, hydration normal.
- Patient follows hand hygiene and infection precautions.
**Linking the data to the diagnosis**
The hospital patient is on antibiotics and has had 7 watery stools in 24 hours. The skin around the anus is red and temperature is normal. He says he keeps running to the toilet and his bottom is sore. This is an actual problem because the loose stools are already happening. Dehydration could follow, but no signs of it are described, so this statement is the main one. Hard or infrequent bowel movements is the opposite problem. The plan aims for formed stools, intact and non-red skin and normal hydration within 48 hours, with the patient following hand hygiene and infection precautions.
CarePath diagnosis
Frequent loose stools related to antibiotic use, as evidenced by 7 watery stools in 24 hours and red skin around the anus.
Interventions and rationale
Listed in priority order.
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| 1. Replace fluids. | Frequent watery stools lose a lot of water and salts, and replacing them prevents dehydration. |
| 2. Protect skin with barrier cream. | Stool irritates skin, and barrier cream protects it from breakdown and soreness. |
| 3. Use infection precautions. | The cause may be infectious, so precautions such as gloves, handwashing and a separate toilet prevent spread to others. |
| 4. Send a stool sample if ordered. | A stool test finds the cause, so the right treatment can be given. |
| 5. Record each stool. | Records show how much fluid is being lost and whether the problem is improving. |
Expected outcomes
- Within 48 hours: stools return to a formed pattern, skin intact and not red, hydration normal.
- Patient follows hand hygiene and infection precautions.
Linking the data to the diagnosis
The hospital patient is on antibiotics and has had 7 watery stools in 24 hours. The skin around the anus is red and temperature is normal. He says he keeps running to the toilet and his bottom is sore. This is an actual problem because the loose stools are already happening. Dehydration could follow, but no signs of it are described, so this statement is the main one. Hard or infrequent bowel movements is the opposite problem. The plan aims for formed stools, intact and non-red skin and normal hydration within 48 hours, with the patient following hand hygiene and infection precautions.