Which information will the nurse provide for a patient with newly diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Keep the head of your bed elevated on blocks. Elevating the head of the bed can help prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus during sleep, reducing nighttime symptoms of GERD. This position helps gravity keep the acid in the stomach.
A: Peppermint tea may actually worsen GERD symptoms as it can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing acid to reflux back into the esophagus.
C: Avoiding eating between meals will not reduce acid secretion and may even lead to larger meals, which can trigger reflux symptoms.
D: Vigorous physical activities can worsen GERD symptoms by increasing intra-abdominal pressure, pushing stomach contents back up into the esophagus.
In summary, the correct answer is B because it directly addresses a practical measure to alleviate GERD symptoms during sleep, while the other choices do not effectively manage the condition.