The nurse is caring for a client with a bleeding duodenal ulcer who has a nasogastric (NG) tube in place and a prescription for 30 mL of aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide to be instilled through the tube every hour. Which of the following assessmentsshould the nurse do to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment?
A)Periodically aspirate and test gastric pH.
B)Monitor arterial blood gas values on a daily basis.
C)Check each stool for the presence of occult blood.
D)Measure the amount of residual stomach contents hourly.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The purpose for antacids is to increase gastric pH. Checking gastric pH is the most direct way of evaluating the effectiveness of the medication. Arterial blood gases may change slightly, but this does not directly reflect the effect of antacids on gastric pH. Because the client has upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, occult blood in the stools will appear even after the acute bleeding has stopped. The amount of residual stomach contents is not a reflection of resolution of bleeding or of gastric pH.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Client with a Bleeding