A woman who is 4 months pregnant comes to the clinic with acute diarrhea and nausea.Her husband is experiencing similar symptoms.The primary care nurse practitioner (NP)notes a temperature of 38.5° C,a heart rate of 92 beats per minute,and a blood pressure of 100/60 mm Hg.The NP should:

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Diarrhea in pregnant women can have serious consequences,and the patient may need to be referred.This woman is showing signs of dehydration and needs IV rehydration.Attapulgite is a category B drug for pregnancy and should be avoided if possible.Acute diarrhea is usually viral,and antibiotics are not given unless a stool culture is performed and is positive.Because the patient is pregnant and has nausea,oral rehydration would not be effective.

A Woman Who Is 4 Months Pregnant Comes to the Clinic