Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions Related

Review Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions related questions and content

To prevent gastroesophageal reflux in a client with hiatal hernia, the nurse should provide which discharge instructions?

  • A. Lie down after meals to promote digestion.
  • B. Avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages.
  • C. Take antacids before meals.
  • D. Limit fluids with meals.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages. This is because both coffee and alcohol can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux in clients with hiatal hernia.

A: Lying down after meals can actually worsen reflux symptoms by allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.
C: Taking antacids before meals may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying cause of reflux.
D: Limiting fluids with meals can help reduce reflux by not distending the stomach, but it is not as crucial as avoiding coffee and alcohol.