Med Surg Chapter 40: Management of Patients with Gastric and Duodenal Disorders
The nurse determines that teaching for the client with peptic ulcer disease has been effective when the client makes which statement? "I should stop all my medications if I develop any side effects." "I should continue my treatment regimen as long as I have pain." "I have learned some relaxation strategies that decrease my stress." "I can buy whatever antacids are on sale because they all have the same effect."
"I have learned some relaxation strategies that decrease my stress." Explanation: The nurse assists the client to identify stressful or exhausting situations. A hectic lifestyle and an irregular schedule may aggravate symptoms and interfere with regular meals taken in relaxed settings along with the regular administration of medications. The client may benefit from regular rest periods during the day, at least during the acute phase of the disease. Biofeedback, hypnosis, behavior modification, massage, or acupuncture may be helpful.
A client with gastric ulcers caused by H. pylori is prescribed metronidazole. Which client statement indicates to the nurse that teaching about this medication was effective? "It might cause a metallic taste in my mouth." "I can take this medication with my blood thinner." "I can have an alcoholic drink in the evenings." "My appetite may increase while taking this medication."
"It might cause a metallic taste in my mouth." Explanation: Metronidazole is a synthetic antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent that assists with eradicating H. pylori bacteria in the gastric mucosa when given with other antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors. This medication may cause a metallic taste in the mouth. It should not be taken with anticoagulants as it will increase the blood thinning effects of warfarin. Alcohol should be avoided while taking this medication. This medication may cause anorexia and not an increased appetite.
A client with recurrent peptic ulcer disease asks, "How long do I have to take the medication?" Which response will the nurse make? "One month or so." "For the rest of your life." "Prophylactically for now." "Until the prescription is gone."
"Prophylactically for now." Explanation: Recurrence of peptic ulcer disease within 1 year may be prevented with the prophylactic use of H2 blockers taken at a reduced dose. Not all clients require maintenance therapy; it may be prescribed only for those with two or three recurrences per year, those who have had a complication such as bleeding or gastric outlet obstruction, or those for whom gastric surgery poses too high a risk. The likelihood of recurrence is reduced if the client avoids smoking, coffee (including decaffeinated coffee) and other caffeinated beverages, alcohol, and ulcerogenic medications such as NSAIDs. The response "it depends on if the ulcer recurs" is the most accurate. There is no way of knowing if the client will need to take the medication for a month or two or the rest of the client's life. The health care provider will determine the length of time the medication will need to be taken after all doses in the current prescription are taken.
A patient is scheduled for a Billroth I procedure for ulcer management. What does the nurse understand will occur when this procedure is performed? A partial gastrectomy is performed with anastomosis of the stomach segment to the duodenum. A sectioned portion of the stomach is joined to the jejunum. The antral portion of the stomach is removed and a vagotomy is performed. The vagus nerve is cut and gastric drainage is established.
A partial gastrectomy is performed with anastomosis of the stomach segment to the duodenum. Explanation: A Billroth I procedure involves removal of the lower portion of the antrum of the stomach (which contains the cells that secrete gastrin) as well as a small portion of the duodenum and pylorus. The remaining segment is anastomosed to the duodenum. A vagotomy severs the vagus nerve; a Billroth I procedure may be performed in conjunction with a vagotomy. If the remaining part of the stomach is anastomosed to the jejunum, the procedure is a Billroth II.
A client with chronic peptic ulcers is considering a vagotomy. Which information will the nurse provide to the client about this surgical procedure? It widens the pylorus to allow increased stomach emptying. It can cause anemia, weight loss, and malabsorption. The lower part of the stomach is attached to the duodenum. Adverse effects such as dumping syndrome and gastritis can occur.
Adverse effects such as dumping syndrome and gastritis can occur. Explanation: A vagotomy is the severing of the vagus nerve to make the cells in the stomach less responsive to gastrin. Adverse effects of this procedure include dumping syndrome and gastritis. A pyloroplasty enlarges the pylorus. The Billroth II procedure can cause anemia, weight loss, and malabsorption. A Billroth I procedure attaches the stomach to the duodenum.
When caring for a client with an acute exacerbation of a peptic ulcer, the nurse finds the client doubled up in bed with severe pain in the right shoulder. What is the initial appropriate action by the nurse? Notify the health care provider. Irrigate the client's NG tube. Place the client in the high-Fowler's position. Assess the client's abdomen and vital signs.
Assess the client's abdomen and vital signs. Explanation: Signs and symptoms of perforation includes sudden, severe upper abdominal pain (persisting and increasing in intensity); pain may be referred to the shoulders, especially the right shoulder, because of irritation of the phrenic nerve in the diaphragm. The nurse should assess the vital signs and abdomen prior to notifying the physician. Irrigation of the NG tube should not be performed because the additional fluid may be spilled into the peritoneal cavity, and the client should be placed in a position of comfort, usually on the side with the head slightly elevated.
The nurse is caring for a client who has undergone a total gastrectomy. Several hours after surgery, the nurse notes that the client's nasogastric (NG) tube has minimal drainage. How should the nurse respond? Document the findings. Reposition the tube. Irrigate the tube. Increase the suction level.
Document the findings. Explanation: Normally, the amount of NG drainage after a total gastrectomy is minimal as there is no reservoir where secretions can collect. Repositioning or irrigating an NG tube in a client who has undergone gastric surgery can disrupt the anastomosis. Increasing the level of suction may cause trauma to the GI mucosa or the suture line.
Clients with Type O blood are at higher risk for which of the following GI disorders? Gastric cancer Duodenal ulcers Esophageal varices Diverticulitis
Duodenal ulcers Explanation: Familial tendency also may be a significant predisposing factor. People with blood type O are more susceptible to peptic ulcers than are those with blood type A, B, or AB. Blood type is not a predisposing factor for gastric cancer, esophageal varices, and diverticulitis.
A health care provider suspects that a client has peptic ulcer disease. With which diagnostic procedure would the nurse most likely prepare to assist? Barium study of the upper gastrointestinal tract Endoscopy Gastric secretion study Stool antigen test
Endoscopy Explanation: Barium study of the upper GI tract may show an ulcer; however, endoscopy is the preferred diagnostic procedure because it allows direct visualization of inflammatory changes, ulcers, and lesions. Through endoscopy, a biopsy of the gastric mucosa and of any suspicious lesions can be obtained. Endoscopy may reveal lesions that, because of their size or location, are not evident on x-ray studies. Less invasive diagnostic measures for detecting H. pylori include serologic testing for antibodies against the H. pylori antigen, stool antigen test, and urea breath test.
A client has been taking famotidine at home. What teaching should the nurse include with the client? Famotidine will inhibit gastric acid secretions. Famotidine will neutralize acid in the stomach. Famotidine will shorten the time required for digestion in the stomach. Famotidine will improve the mixing of foods and gastric secretions.
Famotidine will inhibit gastric acid secretions. Explanation: Famotidine is useful for treating and preventing ulcers and managing gastroesophageal reflux disease. It functions by inhibiting the action of histamine at the H-2 receptor site located in the gastric parietal cells, thus inhibiting gastric acid secretion. Famotidine will not neutralize acid in the stomach, but inhibits acid secretion. Famotidine will not shorten digestion time and will not improve food mixing with gastric secretions.
A 66-year-old African-American client has recently visited a physician to confirm a diagnosis of gastric cancer. The client has a history of tobacco use and was diagnosed 10 years ago with pernicious anemia. He and his family are shocked about the possibility of cancer because he was asymptomatic prior to recent complaints of pain and multiple gastrointestinal symptoms. On the basis of knowledge of disease progression, the nurse assumes that organs adjacent to the stomach are also affected. Which of the following organs may be affected? Choose all that apply. Liver Pancreas Bladder Duodenum Lungs
Liver Pancreas Duodenum Explanation: Most gastric cancers are adenocarcinomas; they can occur anywhere in the stomach. The tumor infiltrates the surrounding mucosa, penetrating the wall of the stomach and adjacent organs and structures. The liver, pancreas, esophagus, and duodenum are often already affected at the time of diagnosis. Metastasis through lymph to the peritoneal cavity occurs later in the disease.
The nurse in the ED admits a client with suspected gastric outlet obstruction. The client's symptoms include nausea and vomiting. The nurse anticipates that the physician will issue which order? Pelvic x-ray Stool specimen Nasogastric tube insertion Oral contrast
Nasogastric tube insertion Explanation: The nurse anticipates an order for nasogastric tube insertion to decompress the stomach. Pelvic x-ray, oral contrast, and stool specimens are not indicated at this time.
During a home visit the nurse notes that a client recovering from peptic ulcer disease is experiencing cool clammy skin and has a heart rate of 96 beats a minute. Which action will the nurse take? Notify the primary health care provider. Provide a dose of a proton pump inhibitor. Encourage the client to drink a warm beverage. Discuss the types of foods the client has been eating.
Notify the primary health care provider. Explanation: The client with peptic ulcer disease is demonstrating signs of hemorrhage which include cool skin and tachycardia. The health care provider should be immediately notified. The client should not be given any additional medication. A warm beverage could enhance bleeding. It is inappropriate to provide any teaching while the client is experiencing an acute condition.
A client with peptic ulcer disease has been prescribed sucralfate. What health education should the nurse provide to this client? Take the medication 2 hours before or after other medications Blood levels will be evaluated after 1 week Take the medication at bedtime to accommodate sedative effects Ensure adequate potassium intake during therapy
Take the medication 2 hours before or after other medications Explanation: Sucralfate should be taken at least 2 hours before or after other medications. It does not decrease potassium levels and laboratory follow up is unnecessary. Sucralfate does not cause sedation.
The nurse is cautiously assessing a client admitted with peptic ulcer disease. The nurse is aware that which complications occur in 20% to 30% of clients with this diagnosis? hemorrhage or perforation intractable ulcer or pyrosis perforation or mechanical obstruction pyloric obstruction or melena
hemorrhage or perforation Explanation: Hemorrhage and peformation are the most common complications, occuring in 20% to 30% of clients with peptic ulcers. Bleeding may be manifested by hematemesis or melena. Perforation is erosion of the ulcer through the gastric serosa into the peritoneal cavity without warning. An intractable ulcer refers to one that is hard to treat, relieve, or cure. Pyloric obstruction, also called gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), occurs when the area distal to the pyloric sphincter becomes scarred (mechanical obstruction) and stenosed from spasm or edema or from scar tissue that forms when an ulcer alternately heals and breaks down. Pyrosis refers to heartburn, a common symptom associated with peptic ulcers.
The Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) consists of severe peptic ulcers, extreme gastric hyperacidity, and gastrin-secreting benign or malignant tumors of the pancreas. The nurse recognizes that an agent that is used to decrease bleeding and decrease gastric acid secretions is nizatidine (Axid) omeprazole (Prilosec) vasopressin (Pitressin) octreotide (Sandostatin)
octreotide (Sandostatin) Explanation: For patients with ZES, hypersecretion of acid may be controlled with high doses of H2 receptor antagonists. These clients may require twice the normal dose, and dosages usually need to be increased with prolonged use. Octreotide (Sandostatin), a medication that suppresses gastrin levels, also may be prescribed.
