Question

After administering a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), which action should the nurse take to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication?

Answer 1

After administering a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), the nurse should assess the patient's relief from symptoms related to gastric hyperacidity, such as heartburn or acid reflux, to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication.

Step-by-step explanation:

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medications commonly used to reduce stomach acid production. To evaluate the effectiveness of a PPI, the nurse should assess the patient for relief from symptoms associated with gastric hyperacidity. This includes asking the patient about the presence and severity of symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, or abdominal pain. Objective measures, such as monitoring pH levels in the stomach, are not typically performed at the bedside. Patient-reported relief from symptoms serves as a practical and immediate indicator of the medication's effectiveness. Monitoring for any adverse effects or complications related to PPI use is also important as part of the ongoing assessment.

Answer 2

To evaluate the effectiveness of a PPI, the nurse should assess symptom reduction, use objective measures such as endoscopic findings, pH monitoring, and laboratory tests to check gastric acid production.

Step-by-step explanation:

After administering a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), the nurse should evaluate its effectiveness by assessing the reduction of symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion. Additionally, objective measures like improvement in endoscopic findings or pH monitoring of the esophagus may be used where applicable. In some cases, laboratory tests to check for decreased gastric acid production can also be helpful. The nurse should monitor for signs of healing of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or ulcers if those were the indications for the PPI therapy.