N3630: Management of Acute &
Chronic GI Conditions Questions and
Correct Answers 2026 Update.
GERD - Answer backflow of acidic gastric & duodenal contents into esophagus
causes of GERD - Answer incompetent esophageal sphincter, pyloric stenosis, hiatal hernia,
motility d/o
risk factors of GERD - Answer smoking, EtOH, caffeine, H pylori
GERD HH - Answer heartburn, reflux, indigestion
GERD physical exam - Answer epigastric pain
meds for GERD - Answer antacids, H2 rc blockers, PPIs (accelerate gastric emptying)
investigations for GERD - Answer endoscopy & barium swallow (poor sensitivity)
goal of rx GERD - Answer decrease esophageal pr & esophageal irritation
GERD teaching points - Answer diet, meal timing (avoid 2h before bed), smoking cessation,
sleep with HOB elevated
sodium bicarbonate (Alkaseltzer), calcium carbonate (Tums), magnesium hydroxide (milk of Mg)
- Answer antacids: neutralize stomach acid
side effects of antacids - Answer Ca: constipation
Mg: diarrhea
nursing considerations for antacids - Answer - avoid taking with other meds (impairs
absorption)
- risk of C diff infection due to suppression of protective flora
ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid) - Answer - antiulcer: reduces gastric acid production
- H2 rc antagonist
, side effects of H2 rc antagonists - Answer headache, NVD, constipation
nursing considerations for H2 rc antagonists - Answer - take 30 mins before meals to avoid
NVD
- monitor Cr
- risk of C diff infection due to suppression of protective flora
pantoprazole (Pantoloc), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) - Answer - antiulcer
(also used for ulcer prophylaxis)
- PPI
side effects of PPIs - Answer headache, NVD, abdo pain
nursing considerations for PPIs - Answer - take 30 mins before meals
- risk of anemia
- risk of #
- risk of C diff infection due to suppression of protective flora
Barrett's esophagus - Answer - complication of GERD
- alterations in cellular lining of lower esophagus
- cells change from squamous to precancerous columnar epithelial cells (dysplasia)
- risk of esophageal cancer
- backflow of acid causes breakdown of cells
peptic ulcer disease - Answer - ulceration of mucosal wall
- can occur in esophagus, stomach, duodenum
- caused by H pylori, LT NSAID use
PUD HH - Answer - sx come & go
- lethargy, loss of appetite
- heartburn
- taking LT NSAIDs?
- smoke or use EtOH?
Chronic GI Conditions Questions and
Correct Answers 2026 Update.
GERD - Answer backflow of acidic gastric & duodenal contents into esophagus
causes of GERD - Answer incompetent esophageal sphincter, pyloric stenosis, hiatal hernia,
motility d/o
risk factors of GERD - Answer smoking, EtOH, caffeine, H pylori
GERD HH - Answer heartburn, reflux, indigestion
GERD physical exam - Answer epigastric pain
meds for GERD - Answer antacids, H2 rc blockers, PPIs (accelerate gastric emptying)
investigations for GERD - Answer endoscopy & barium swallow (poor sensitivity)
goal of rx GERD - Answer decrease esophageal pr & esophageal irritation
GERD teaching points - Answer diet, meal timing (avoid 2h before bed), smoking cessation,
sleep with HOB elevated
sodium bicarbonate (Alkaseltzer), calcium carbonate (Tums), magnesium hydroxide (milk of Mg)
- Answer antacids: neutralize stomach acid
side effects of antacids - Answer Ca: constipation
Mg: diarrhea
nursing considerations for antacids - Answer - avoid taking with other meds (impairs
absorption)
- risk of C diff infection due to suppression of protective flora
ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid) - Answer - antiulcer: reduces gastric acid production
- H2 rc antagonist
, side effects of H2 rc antagonists - Answer headache, NVD, constipation
nursing considerations for H2 rc antagonists - Answer - take 30 mins before meals to avoid
NVD
- monitor Cr
- risk of C diff infection due to suppression of protective flora
pantoprazole (Pantoloc), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) - Answer - antiulcer
(also used for ulcer prophylaxis)
- PPI
side effects of PPIs - Answer headache, NVD, abdo pain
nursing considerations for PPIs - Answer - take 30 mins before meals
- risk of anemia
- risk of #
- risk of C diff infection due to suppression of protective flora
Barrett's esophagus - Answer - complication of GERD
- alterations in cellular lining of lower esophagus
- cells change from squamous to precancerous columnar epithelial cells (dysplasia)
- risk of esophageal cancer
- backflow of acid causes breakdown of cells
peptic ulcer disease - Answer - ulceration of mucosal wall
- can occur in esophagus, stomach, duodenum
- caused by H pylori, LT NSAID use
PUD HH - Answer - sx come & go
- lethargy, loss of appetite
- heartburn
- taking LT NSAIDs?
- smoke or use EtOH?
