Question

The nurse is assessing a client with a duodenal ulcer. The nurse interprets that which sign or symptom is most consistent with the typical presentation of duodenal ulcer?

Answer 1

The most consistent sign or symptom of a duodenal ulcer seen in a patient is upper abdominal pain that occurs at night and improves with eating, which a nurse assessing such a patient should look for.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the assessment of a client with a duodenal ulcer. When a nurse is evaluating a patient for this condition, they would typically look for upper abdominal pain as a key symptom. This type of pain often occurs at night and characteristically improves with eating. This relief with food intake can be due to the buffering action of the food on stomach acid. Moreover, other symptoms that may be reported include belching, vomiting, weight loss, and poor appetite.

It is important to note that peptic ulcers, which include gastric and duodenal ulcers, can sometimes be associated with an infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and are often treated with antibiotics designed to eradicate this organism in addition to acid-suppressing medications to facilitate healing. However, due to the potential for antibiotic resistance, treatment may require alterations. Severe cases, such as perforation caused by deep ulcers, necessitate emergency surgery to correct.