Question

The nurse is conducting a community education program on peptic ulcer disease prevention. The nurse concludes that the most common cause of peptic ulcers is which of the following?

Answer 1

The most common cause of peptic ulcers is an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, and NSAIDs are another common cause. Diet is now understood not to play a significant role in causing these ulcers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most common cause of peptic ulcers is an infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This discovery was made by the Australian scientists Robin Warren and Barry J. Marshall, who were awarded a Nobel Prize for their work. Initially, their findings were met with skepticism, but evidence became irrefutable when Marshall himself ingested the bacteria and developed peptic ulcer symptoms.

Peptic ulcers can also be caused by chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen. Other factors such as tobacco smoking and stress may contribute to the development of ulcers, although their role is not as clear. Unlike previous beliefs, diet, including the consumption of spicy foods, coffee, and alcohol, does not play a significant role in causing peptic ulcers.