A 4-month-old infant is brought to the hospital for recurrent vomiting. The child is diagnosed with gastroenteritis. To decrease vomiting, the child should be NPO for approximately how long?

Explanation

•To decrease vomiting, withholding food and fluid for a time (NPO), depending on the age of the child. On the average, 3-6 hr are usually sufficient. If there is nothing in the stomach, vomiting cannot occur.

•More than 6 hours is too long to withhold any food or milk. This would compound the problem by adding to the dehydration and malnutrition.

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