The nurse in the GI Suite is preparing a patient for an Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Which statement below indicates the patient may need some additional teaching?

Choice A rationale
High hemoglobin is not typically a symptom of a perforated peptic ulcer. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. While changes in hemoglobin levels can indicate various health conditions, they are not directly associated with a perforated peptic ulcer.
Choice B rationale
Yellowing of the skin, or jaundice, is a symptom typically associated with liver disease, not a perforated peptic ulcer. Jaundice occurs when there’s too much bilirubin, a yellow-orange substance, in your blood.
Choice C rationale
Acute, sharp, and severe abdominal pain is a common symptom of a perforated peptic ulcer. A perforated peptic ulcer is a medical emergency that occurs when an ulcer goes through all the layers of the stomach or duodenum wall, creating a hole. This allows stomach or intestinal contents to leak into the abdominal cavity, causing severe abdominal pain.

Choice D rationale
High hematocrit is not typically a symptom of a perforated peptic ulcer. Hematocrit is the proportion of your total blood volume that is composed of red blood cells. While changes in hematocrit levels can indicate various health conditions, they are not directly associated with a perforated peptic ulcer. Dumping syndromeDumping syndrome Explore

Choice A rationale
The UREA breath test does not measure ammonia levels. While H. pylori can convert urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide, the test specifically measures the level of carbon dioxide in the breath.
Choice B rationale
The UREA breath test does not measure hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is produced by the stomach to aid in digestion, but it is not measured in the UREA breath test.
Choice C rationale
The UREA breath test does not measure potassium. Potassium is an important electrolyte in the body, but it is not related to the presence of H. pylori or the UREA breath test.
Choice D rationale
The UREA breath test measures carbon dioxide in the breath.

H. pylori bacteria break down urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. Excess carbon dioxide in the breath is a sign of an H. pylori infection.