A patient who has symptoms of peptic ulcer disease will undergo a ...

[Pea0909berry]

A patient who has symptoms of peptic ulcer disease will undergo a test that requires drinking a liquid containing 13C urea and breathing into a container. The nurse will explain to the patient that this test is performed to
 
  a. assess the level of hydrochloric acid.
  b. detect H. pylori antibodies.
  c. measure the pH of gastric secretions.
  d. test for the presence of 13CO2.

Question 2

A patient is taking esomeprazole (Nexium) 15 mg per day to treat a duodenal ulcer. After 10 days of treatment, the patient reports that the pain has subsided. The nurse will counsel the patient to
 
  a. continue the medication for 4 more weeks.
  b. reduce the medication dose by half.
  c. stop taking the medication.
  d. take the medication every other day.

[bulacsom]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
When H. pylori is suspected, a noninvasive test is performed by administering 13C urea which, in the presence of H. pylori, will release 13CO2. The test does not measure the amount of HCl acid or the pH and does not detect H. pylori antibodies.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
With treatment, ulcer pain may subside in 10 days, but the healing process may take 1 to 2 months. Patients should be counseled to take the drug for the length of time prescribed. Reducing the dose or taking less frequently is not indicated.

[Pea0909berry]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[bulacsom]

Great! Please up vote