section name header

Table 22.2

Urgent Investigation in Acute Severe Diarrhoea

  • Stool microscopy and culture
  • Test for Clostridium difficile toxin in stool
  • Full blood count
  • C-reactive protein
  • Blood glucose
  • Sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine
  • Liver function tests, albumin
  • Blood culture if febrile
  • Sigmoidoscopy if bloody diarrhoea
  • Abdominal X-ray if marked distension or tenderness (toxic megacolon)