Final answer:
Dimenhydrinate is used under the Nausea/Vomiting Medical Directive for symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea lasting 24-48 hours, with considerations for dehydration and changes in blood pressure and heart rate. It's applicable in cases similar to an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a Florida hospital, where patients showed severe dehydration and couldn't keep liquids down.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conditions for dimenhydrinate use under the Nausea/Vomiting Medical Directive typically involve cases where patients are experiencing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for a duration of 24-48 hours. Additional considerations for the use of this medication include the presence of possible dehydration and changes in blood pressure and heart rate. In clinical scenarios like the spike in acute gastroenteritis-like symptoms in a western Florida hospital, dimenhydrinate may be administered to patients experiencing excessive bouts of vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, and severe dehydration. It is important to note that dimenhydrinate is only one of several medications, like ondansetron (Zofran), that can be used to prevent or treat these symptoms. However, dimenhydrinate would be carefully considered particularly when patients are unable to keep liquids down due to frequent vomiting which can lead to dehydration, as indicated by signs such as a decrease in urination, a dry mouth and throat, or feeling dizzy when standing up.