A patient has severe trauma from an automobile accident.

The nurse is checking the gastric pH and is administering Protonix 40 mg IV piggyback two times a day as ordered.

This is prophylactic to prevent which of the following?

Choice A rationale
Pancreatitis can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. Inflammation of the pancreas can cause damage to the organ’s blood vessels, leading to bleeding. This can be a serious complication of pancreatitis.
Choice B rationale
Peptic ulcer disease is a common cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Ulcers are sores that develop on the lining of the stomach, upper small intestine, or esophagus. When these ulcers erode into blood vessels, bleeding can occur.
Choice C rationale
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can cause ulcers in the digestive tract. These ulcers can bleed, leading to gastrointestinal bleeding.
Choice D rationale
Gastrointestinal malignancy, or cancer, can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Tumors can erode into blood vessels or cause ulcers that bleed.
Choice E rationale
Diverticulosis involves the formation of small pouches in the wall of the digestive tract. These pouches can bleed, leading to gastrointestinal bleeding.
Choice F rationale
Gallbladder disease typically does not cause gastrointestinal bleeding. The gallbladder stores bile, a fluid produced by the liver to digest fats. While gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder are common, they do not usually lead to gastrointestinal bleeding.
Choice G rationale
Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, is not typically associated with gastrointestinal bleeding. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include fatigue, weight gain, and depression, but not gastrointestinal bleeding.

Choice A rationale
Sorbitol is a type of sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in many diet foods. It is also used in certain medications as a laxative to relieve constipation. However, it is not typically associated with liver failure and would not likely be questioned by the nurse in this context.
Choice B rationale
Lactulose is a type of sugar that is broken down in the large intestine into mild acids that draw water into the intestine, which then helps soften the stools. It is often used to treat constipation and is also used to reduce high blood ammonia levels in patients with liver disease. It would not typically be questioned by the nurse for a patient with chronic liver failure.
Choice C rationale
Neomycin is an antibiotic that is used to reduce the amount of ammonia produced by bacteria in the intestines. High levels of ammonia can cause hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication of liver disease. Therefore, neomycin can be beneficial for patients with chronic liver failure and would not likely be questioned by the nurse.
Choice D rationale
Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is a common over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and reduce fever. However, high doses or long-term use of acetaminophen can cause liver damage. In fact, acetaminophen overdose is a common cause of acute liver failure. Therefore, the nurse should question an order for acetaminophen for a patient with chronic liver failure.