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, food and fluid are withheld for a time (NPO) depending on the age of the child.

• For a 4-month-old infant, 3 to 6 hrs are usually sufficient. If there is nothing in the stomach, vomiting will not occur.

Incorrect options:

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

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