Nursing Interventions for Peptic Ulcers

 Peptic Ulcers

Nursing Interventions:

1 / Reducing Anxiety

•  If the patient has ingested acids or alkalis, emergency measures may be needed. The nurse offers supportive therapy to the patient and family during treatment and after it.
• The patient usually feels anxious about the pain and the treatment modalities.
• The nurse uses a calm approach to assess the patient and to answer all questions as completely as possible.
• It is important to explain all procedures and treatments according to the patient's level of understanding.

2 / Promoting Optimal Nutrition

• The patient should take no foods or fluids by mouth—possibly for days—until the acute symptoms subside, thus allowing the gastric mucosa to heal.
• If IV therapy is necessary, the nurse monitors it regularly, along with serum electrolyte values.
• After the symptoms subside, the nurse can offer the patient ice chips followed by clear liquids.
• Introducing solid food as soon as possible will provide oral nutrition, decrease the need for IV therapy, and minimize irritation to the gastric mucosa.
• As food introduced, the nurse evaluates and reports any symptoms that suggest a repeated episode of gastritis.
• The nurse discourages the intake of caffeinated beverages, because caffeine increases gastric activity and pepsin secretion.
• It also is important to discourage alcohol use and cigarette smoking.

3 / Promoting Fluid Balance

• Daily fluid intake and output are monitored to detect early signs of dehydration  
• If food and fluids are withheld, IV fluids (3 L/day) usually are prescribed.
• Electrolyte values (sodium, potassium, chloride) are assessed every 24 hours to detect imbalance.
• The nurse must always be alert for any indicators of hemorrhagic gastritis, which include hematemesis (vomiting of blood), tachycardia, and hypotension.

4 / Relieving Pain

•   Instructing the patient to avoid foods and beverages that may be irritating to the gastric mucosa (described earlier)
•   Give medications to relieve chronic gastritis.
•   To follow up, the nurse assesses the patient's level of pain and the extent of comfort attained from the intervention.

5 / Teaching Patients Self-Care

 👉 The nurse evaluates the patient's knowledge about gastritis and develops an individualized teaching plan that includes information about stress management, diet, and medications such as

1. Antibiotics,
2. Medications to decrease gastric secretion,
3. Medications to protect mucosal cells from gastric secretions can help the patient recover and prevent recurrence.

 6 / Finally. the nurse emphasizes the importance keeping follow-up.