Final answer:
The primary purpose of administering a histamine 2-receptor antagonist for peptic ulcer disease is to reduce stomach acid production, which helps in healing ulcers and treating conditions like GERD and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary purpose of administering a histamine 2-receptor antagonist to a client with peptic ulcer disease is to decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Medications such as Ranitidine (Zantac), Famotidine (Pepcid AC), and Cimetidine (Tagamet) fall under this category of H₂ blockers. These drugs are not only beneficial in the treatment of ulcers but also for conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, where excessive stomach acid production occurs.
By diminishing the production of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach, these histamine 2-receptor antagonists can prevent and treat the inflammation and damage caused by acid, which is a typical symptom of peptic ulcers. Additionally, unlike antacids, H₂ blockers have a longer duration of effect in reducing gastric acidity. It's important to note that these medications do not treat ulcers caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, for which antibiotics are required.
Histamine 2-receptor antagonists are different from other classes of medications such as proton pump inhibitors (e.g., Omeprazole (Prilosec)), which also decrease stomach acid production but belong to a different drug class. These H₂ blockers reduce symptoms associated with excess stomach acid, like heartburn and indigestion, and are essential in allowing peptic ulcers to heal properly.