A client presents to the clinic reporting vomiting and burning in her mid-epigastric area. The nurse knows that in the process of confirming peptic ulcer disease, the health care provider is likely to order a diagnostic test to detect the presence of what?

Choice A reason: Ulcerative colitis is not a complication of diverticulitis. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers and inflammation in the colon and rectum. Diverticulitis is an acute condition that occurs when small pouches called diverticula in the colon become infected or inflamed.

Choice B reason: Dysphagia is not a complication of diverticulitis. Dysphagia is a term for difficulty swallowing, which can have many causes, such as stroke, nerve damage, or esophageal cancer. Diverticulitis affects the lower part of the digestive tract, not the upper part.

Choice C reason: Peritonitis is a complication of diverticulitis. Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. It can be caused by a perforation or rupture of a diverticulum, which allows bacteria and fecal matter to enter the peritoneal space. Peritonitis is a serious and life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Choice D reason: Crohn's disease is not a complication of diverticulitis. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract, causing ulcers, fistulas, and strictures. Diverticulitis is an acute condition that affects only the colon, not the entire digestive tract.

Choice A reason: Calling the doctor for more antiemetic medication is not the best intervention for the nurse to facilitate. Antiemetics are drugs that prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting, but they may have side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, or constipation. The nurse should first try non-pharmacological measures to relieve the patient's nausea, such as giving small sips of water, providing a cool and quiet environment, or using aromatherapy.

Choice B reason: Giving the patient small sips of tepid water is the best intervention for the nurse to facilitate. Water can help hydrate the patient and dilute any stomach acid that may cause irritation. Tepid water is water that is slightly warm, which can be more soothing than cold or hot water. Small sips can prevent the patient from swallowing too much air, which can worsen nausea and vomiting.

Choice C reason: Helping the patient lay supine is not a good intervention for the nurse to facilitate. Supine means lying flat on the back, which can increase the risk of aspiration, or inhaling food or fluids into the lungs. Aspiration can cause pneumonia, a serious lung infection. The nurse should help the patient lay on their side, with their head elevated, to prevent aspiration and reduce pressure on the stomach.

Choice D reason: Showing the patient how to use the patient-controlled analgesia is not a relevant intervention for the nurse to facilitate. Patient-controlled analgesia is a system that allows the patient to self-administer pain medication through an IV pump. It has nothing to do with nausea and vomiting, and may even cause them as side effects. The nurse should monitor the patient's pain level and adjust the analgesia settings as needed, but not as a way to treat nausea.