A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the priority?

A. Limit fluid intake not related to meals:

While staying hydrated is important, it's generally recommended to limit fluid intake not related to meals to avoid overfilling the stomach and putting excess pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). However, this is not as specific to GERD management as the option B.

B. Avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime:

This is a key recommendation for managing GERD. Eating close to bedtime increases the likelihood of stomach contents refluxing into the esophagus when lying down. Waiting at least 3 hours after eating before lying down can help prevent symptoms.

C. Chew on mint leaves to relieve indigestion:

Mint, including mint leaves, can relax the LES, potentially worsening GERD symptoms. It is not recommended for managing GERD.

D. Season foods with black pepper:

While black pepper itself is not a common trigger for GERD, highly spicy or peppery foods can sometimes exacerbate symptoms in individuals with GERD. It's advisable to pay attention to personal triggers and adjust the diet accordingly.

A. Steatorrhea:

Steatorrhea refers to the presence of excessive fat in the stool. If a healthcare provider suspects malabsorption or fat digestion issues, they might order a fecal fat test to assess the amount of fat in the stool. This test is different from a guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT), which is designed to detect blood.

B. Parasites:

The detection of parasites in the stool involves specific testing methods, such as microscopic examination of stool samples or specialized tests aimed at identifying the presence of parasitic organisms. A guaiac fecal occult blood test is not designed to detect parasites; its primary purpose is to identify occult (hidden) blood.

C. Blood:

A stool test for guaiac is specifically designed to detect the presence of occult (hidden) blood in the stool. The guaiac test involves placing a small sample of stool onto a test card containing guaiac, and a color change indicates the presence of blood. This test is commonly used to screen for gastrointestinal bleeding.

D. Bacteria:

Detecting bacteria in the stool typically involves stool cultures or specific tests designed to identify bacterial infections or imbalances in the gut microbiota. The guaiac test is not intended for detecting bacteria; its primary focus is on identifying the presence of blood in the stool.