Question

"A nurse is teaching a patient about prevention of peptic ulcers. What instructions should the nurse give the patient? Select all that apply.

A-Avoid smoking.
B-Consume raw uncooked food.
C-Use nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treatment of pain.
D-Wash hands thoroughly with soap after using the restroom and before eating.
E-Report symptoms of gastric irritation, such as nausea and epigastric pain, to the health care provider."

Answer 1

To prevent peptic ulcers, the nurse should advise the patient to avoid smoking, report symptoms of gastric irritation to the health care provider, and wash hands thoroughly with soap.

Step-by-step explanation:

Peptic ulcers are not mainly due to diet. The most common cause of peptic ulcers is infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Other contributing factors may include tobacco smoking and stress, although these factors have not been conclusively proven to cause peptic ulcers independently. The chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen is another common cause of peptic ulcers.

To prevent peptic ulcers, the nurse should give the patient the following instructions:

• Avoid smoking: Smoking increases the risk of peptic ulcers and hinder the healing process.
• Report symptoms of gastric irritation to the health care provider: Nausea and epigastric pain are symptoms of peptic ulcers and should be reported for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap: This helps prevent the spread of H. pylori infection, a common cause of peptic ulcers.