Diarrhoea history-taking station

A diarrhoea history tests whether you can separate a self-limiting infection from something needing investigation, while assessing dehydration and safety.

How to structure it

• Characterise it: duration (acute vs chronic), frequency, blood or mucus, nocturnal symptoms.
• Screen for red flags — blood, weight loss, persistent change in bowel habit.
• Assess dehydration risk and associated features (fever, vomiting, travel, contacts).
• Cover diet, medication, past history and relevant social history.

Common pitfalls

• Failing to distinguish acute from chronic diarrhoea.
• Missing red flags pointing to inflammatory bowel disease or cancer.
• Overlooking dehydration and safety-netting.

Examiners reward a structured history, recognition of red flags, assessment of dehydration, and clear safety-netting.