A Nurse Practitioner Is Providing Care for a Male Client

A nurse practitioner is providing care for a male client with a long-standing hiatal hernia. Which of the following statements most accurately captures an aspect of the pathophysiology of hiatal hernias?

A) Paraesophageal hiatal hernias are common and are normally not treated if the client is asymptomatic.
B) The root causes of hiatal hernias are normally treatable with medication.
C) If esophageal acid clearance is impaired, esophagitis can result.
D) An incompetent pyloric sphincter and high-fat diet are commonly implicated in the development of hiatal hernias.