Acute Watery Diarrhea In A Young Adult: Evidence-Based Outpa

ACUTE WATERY DIARRHEA IN A YOUNG ADULT: EVIDENCE-BASED OUTPATIENT EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT WITH LABORATORY INTEGRATIONEvaluation and Management of Acute Loose Stools in a 25-Year-Old Patient (Outpatient Setting With Laboratory Capabilities) I. Patient Identification Name: Ms. A.R. Age: 25 years Sex: Female Ethnicity: Hispanic Date of Visit: February 17, 2026 Setting: Outpatient primary care clinic with on-site laboratory Source of History: Patient (reliable historian) II. Chief Complaint (CC) Ive had watery diarrhea for three days. III. History of Present Illness (HPI) Ms. A.R. is a 25-year-old previously healthy female presenting with 3 days of acute onset loose stools. Onset: Sudden Duration: 72 hours Frequency: 6-8 episodes per day Character: Watery, non-bloody Volume: Moderate Color: Brown Odor: Foul-smelling Associated symptoms: o Mild crampy lower abdominal pain (4/10)o Nausea (no vomiting) o Low-grade subjective fever on day 1 (resolved) o Fatigue Negative symptoms: o No hematochezia o No melena o No severe abdominal pain o No tenesmus o No recent travel o No recent antibiotic use o No sick contacts Dietary History: Ate chicken salad from a local deli 24 hours prior to symptom onset. Hydration status: Reports drinking water but feels a little dry. IV. Past Medical History (PMH) No chronic illnesses