PHRM 3820 Heartburn Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: LES
Answer: lower esophageal sphincter; ring of muscle at junction of esophagus and stomach
Question 2: What is the normal function of the lower esophageal sphincter?
Answer: opens to let food and drink into the stomach; closes to keep the contents inside the stomach
Question 3: How is gastric acid produced in the stomach?
Answer: by the parietal cells in response to ACh, gastrin, and histamine stimulation from sight, smell, taste,
and eating
Question 4: What are the 3 neurotransmitters associated with acid production?
Answer: acetylcholine, gastrin, histamine
Question 5: achalasia
Answer: esophageal immobility (peristalsis does not occur)
Question 6: What are the lifestyle factors that cause GI issues?
Answer: overeating, lying down after eating, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco
Question 7: acid reflux
Answer: when stomach contents travel into the esophagus (acute or chronic); can cause heartburn, cough,
hoarseness, or no symptoms
Question 8: heartburn
Answer: a symptom of acid reflex, characterized by burning chest pain behind the sternum
Question 9: GERD
Answer: gastroesophageal reflux disease; a chronic condition where acid reflux occurs frequently (at least
2x/week)
Question 10: How often does acid reflux need to occur to be classified as GERD?
Answer: at least 2x/week
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, Question 11: What 4 medical conditions can cause acid reflux?
Answer: hiatal hernia, gastroparesis, obesity, pregnancy
Question 12: What are the frequency exclusions for self-treatment of acid reflux?
Answer: persists for >3 months, occurs when taking an H2RA or PPI
Question 13: What are the symptom exclusions for self-treatment of acid reflux?
Answer: - severe or nocturnal symptoms - chronic hoarseness, wheezing, coughing, or choking - chest pain
with sweating, pain radiating to shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw, SOB - difficulty or pain when swallowing
foods - unexplained weight loss
Question 14: What are the age exclusions for self-treatment of acid reflux?
Answer: - <2yo (antacids), <12yo (H2RAs), <18yo (PPIs)
Question 15: What are the non-pharmacologic treatments for heartburn?
Answer: - eat smaller meals, reduce fat intake, refrain from eating at least 3h before bed - avoid tobacco;
limit or discontinue alcohol or caffeine - elevate head of bed or upper torso and head with a wedge
Question 16: What OTCs should be used for mild, infrequent heartburn?
Answer: antacids and/or H2RAs (combine for rapid onset and longer duration)
Question 17: What are the advantages/disadvantages of antacids?
Answer: - rapid onset (5min) - short duration (20-30min)
Question 18: What are the advantages/disadvantages of H2RAs?
Answer: - longer duration (4-10h) - slower onset (30-45min)
Question 19: What OTC should be used for mild-moderate episodic heartburn requiring more
prolonged relief of symptoms?
Answer: H2RA
Question 20: What OTC should be used for frequent heartburn or heartburn that doesn't respond to
H2RA?
Answer: PPI
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Question 1: LES
Answer: lower esophageal sphincter; ring of muscle at junction of esophagus and stomach
Question 2: What is the normal function of the lower esophageal sphincter?
Answer: opens to let food and drink into the stomach; closes to keep the contents inside the stomach
Question 3: How is gastric acid produced in the stomach?
Answer: by the parietal cells in response to ACh, gastrin, and histamine stimulation from sight, smell, taste,
and eating
Question 4: What are the 3 neurotransmitters associated with acid production?
Answer: acetylcholine, gastrin, histamine
Question 5: achalasia
Answer: esophageal immobility (peristalsis does not occur)
Question 6: What are the lifestyle factors that cause GI issues?
Answer: overeating, lying down after eating, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco
Question 7: acid reflux
Answer: when stomach contents travel into the esophagus (acute or chronic); can cause heartburn, cough,
hoarseness, or no symptoms
Question 8: heartburn
Answer: a symptom of acid reflex, characterized by burning chest pain behind the sternum
Question 9: GERD
Answer: gastroesophageal reflux disease; a chronic condition where acid reflux occurs frequently (at least
2x/week)
Question 10: How often does acid reflux need to occur to be classified as GERD?
Answer: at least 2x/week
Page 1
, Question 11: What 4 medical conditions can cause acid reflux?
Answer: hiatal hernia, gastroparesis, obesity, pregnancy
Question 12: What are the frequency exclusions for self-treatment of acid reflux?
Answer: persists for >3 months, occurs when taking an H2RA or PPI
Question 13: What are the symptom exclusions for self-treatment of acid reflux?
Answer: - severe or nocturnal symptoms - chronic hoarseness, wheezing, coughing, or choking - chest pain
with sweating, pain radiating to shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw, SOB - difficulty or pain when swallowing
foods - unexplained weight loss
Question 14: What are the age exclusions for self-treatment of acid reflux?
Answer: - <2yo (antacids), <12yo (H2RAs), <18yo (PPIs)
Question 15: What are the non-pharmacologic treatments for heartburn?
Answer: - eat smaller meals, reduce fat intake, refrain from eating at least 3h before bed - avoid tobacco;
limit or discontinue alcohol or caffeine - elevate head of bed or upper torso and head with a wedge
Question 16: What OTCs should be used for mild, infrequent heartburn?
Answer: antacids and/or H2RAs (combine for rapid onset and longer duration)
Question 17: What are the advantages/disadvantages of antacids?
Answer: - rapid onset (5min) - short duration (20-30min)
Question 18: What are the advantages/disadvantages of H2RAs?
Answer: - longer duration (4-10h) - slower onset (30-45min)
Question 19: What OTC should be used for mild-moderate episodic heartburn requiring more
prolonged relief of symptoms?
Answer: H2RA
Question 20: What OTC should be used for frequent heartburn or heartburn that doesn't respond to
H2RA?
Answer: PPI
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