The nurse is gathering information from a patient who has GERD. Which of the following observations is a symptom of GERD?

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
Calling for pain medication before the previous dose wears off is an effective strategy for managing postoperative pain. This approach helps maintain a consistent level of pain control, which can enhance comfort and facilitate recovery.

Choice B rationale
Waiting for the nurse to evaluate the pain before asking for more medication can result in periods of uncontrolled pain, which can hinder recovery. Pain should be managed proactively, not reactively.
Choice C rationale
Calling for pain medication as the pain becomes intolerable is not an effective pain management strategy. Pain should be controlled before it reaches this level.
Choice D rationale
Asking for less medication to avoid addiction is not a recommended approach to pain management. While it’s important to use opioids judiciously, under-treating pain can hinder recovery and lead to unnecessary suffering. PancreatitisPancreatitis Explore