The nurse is preparing to provide care for a client diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease.
Which pathophysiological characteristic will the nurse correctly associate with the patient’s diagnosis?

Choice A rationale
Consuming large meals can exacerbate GERD symptoms. Smaller, more frequent meals are recommended to reduce the volume of food in the stomach at any one time, thereby reducing the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter.
Choice B rationale
Identifying and avoiding foods that cause discomfort is a key strategy in managing GERD. Foods that commonly trigger GERD symptoms include fatty foods, spicy foods, acidic foods, and caffeine.
Choice C rationale

Using pillows to elevate the head and upper body during sleep can help prevent nighttime GERD symptoms. Gravity helps keep stomach acid in the stomach, reducing the chance of it flowing back into the esophagus.
Choice D rationale
Lying down after a meal can exacerbate GERD symptoms. It is recommended to wait at least three hours after eating before lying down.

Choice A rationale
The UREA breath test is used to detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a type of bacteria that may infect the stomach and is a main cause of ulcers in both the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).
H. pylori produces an enzyme called urease, which breaks urea down into ammonia and carbon dioxide. During the test, a tablet containing urea is swallowed and the amount of exhaled carbon dioxide is measured. This indicates the presence of H. pylori in the stomach. Therefore, the UREA breath test measures urea levels to determine if H. pylori is present.

Choice B rationale
While it is true that the presence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in the blood can indicate an
H. pylori infection, this is typically detected using a blood test, not a UREA breath test. The UREA breath test specifically measures the amount of carbon dioxide in your breath after you drink a special solution containing urea.
H. pylori bacteria break down urea into carbon dioxide, and excess carbon dioxide in your breath is a sign of an H. pylori infection. Therefore, while Helicobacter pylori antibodies can indicate an H. pylori infection, they are not the lab value that the UREA breath test measures to determine if H. pylori is present.
Choice C rationale
Gastrin levels are not measured in a UREA breath test. Gastrin is a hormone that stimulates the production of gastric acid, which helps the stomach digest food. While gastrin levels can be elevated in individuals with certain conditions, such as gastrinomas or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, they are not directly related to H. pylori infections or measured in a UREA breath test.
Choice D rationale
Pepsinogen levels are not measured in a UREA breath test. Pepsinogen is a precursor enzyme (zymogen) produced by the gastric chief cells, and it is converted to the enzyme pepsin in the presence of stomach acid. While pepsinogen levels can be used to assess certain conditions, such as atrophic gastritis, they are not directly related to H. pylori infections or measured in a UREA breath test.