A Patient with Recurring Heartburn Receives a New Prescription for Esomeprazole

A patient with recurring heartburn receives a new prescription for esomeprazole (Nexium) . In teaching the patient about this medication, the nurse explains that this drug

A) reduces the reflux of gastric acid by increasing the rate of gastric emptying.
B) coats and protects the lining of the stomach and esophagus from gastric acid.
C) treats gastroesophageal reflux disease by decreasing stomach acid production.
D) neutralizes stomach acid and provides relief of symptoms in a few minutes.