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
Dumping syndrome is a condition that can occur after surgery to remove all or part of your stomach or after an operation to bypass your stomach to help you lose weight. It’s also known as rapid gastric emptying. Dumping syndrome occurs when food, especially sugar, moves from your stomach into your small intestine too quickly. One of the recommended dietary changes for managing dumping syndrome is eating smaller, more frequent meals. This helps to avoid

the rapid emptying of food into the small intestine, thereby preventing the symptoms of dumping syndrome.
Choice B rationale
Sitting up for 5 hours after each meal is not typically recommended for managing dumping syndrome. While it’s advised to take a short rest after eating, the duration doesn’t need to be as long as 5 hours.
Choice C rationale
The symptoms of dumping syndrome can begin soon after eating, especially if the meal is high in sugar. However, they typically start within 10 to 30 minutes, not 5 hours.
Choice D rationale
Drinking lots of fluids with meals is not recommended for those with dumping syndrome. In fact, it’s often advised to avoid drinking fluids until about 30 minutes after a meal to prevent triggering symptoms.

Choice A rationale
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) is a protein used as a tumor marker, particularly for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. It is not directly related to volume depletion caused by gastrointestinal illnesses.
Choice B rationale
B12 level is important for nerve function and the formation of red blood cells. It is not directly related to volume depletion caused by gastrointestinal illnesses.
Choice C rationale
Electrolyte imbalance is the correct answer. Gastrointestinal illnesses often cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to significant loss of fluids and electrolytes.
Monitoring electrolyte levels is crucial in these cases to prevent complications related to volume depletion.

Choice D rationale
Hemoglobin level is an indicator of the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood. While it is an important lab value, it is not the most relevant in the context of volume depletion due to gastrointestinal illnesses.