Nursing Case Study: Gastric Ulcer

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This nursing case study explores the diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment of a gastric ulcer in a 46-year-old man. Learn about the risk factors, complications, and nursing interventions for managing this condition.

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Running head: NURSING CASE STUDY
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

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Question 1:
The case study represents the gastric ulcer of a 46 years old man, has been admitted to
the hospital for hematemesis and melena. The patient had a medical history of gastric ulcer and
had received Hp eradication therapy two years before his current presentation. He had anemia
and elevated blood urea nitrogen along with ESR40. Gastric ulcer is a life-threatening disease
characterized as an ulcerated lesion in the mucosa of the stomach (Burkitt et al., 2016). PUD
observed in patients while gastric mucosal defenses of the patient become impaired and no
longer able to protect the epithelium from the effects of acid and pepsin. When a break in the
mucosal barrier occurs, hydrochloric acid injures the epithelium. He was denied of using
NSAIDs or aspirin, smoking or alcohol. The common risk factors of the gastric ulcer include
smoking, acidic drink, medication or presence of infection. NSAIDs or aspirin are anti-non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which can cause ulcer as these anti-non inflammatory drugs
reduced the level of prostaglandin in patients (Www.nps.org.au, 2019). Prostaglandin plays a
crucial role in protecting from acute mucosal damage which is an event in the gastric ulcer
(Www.nps.org.au, 2019). It inhibits acid secretion, facilitates mucus production and bicarbonate
secretion, alters mucosal blood flow and provides protection. The patient might take these drugs
before which further facilitated infection (Abdul Rahim et al., 2016). To prevent the infection he
now denied of taking these drugs and he had been taking H2 blocker Famotidine which reduced
acidity in the stomach.
Considering the current status of the patient, the patient had Nausea and vomiting ++,
Hematemesis. Hematemesis indicates that the bleeding is the result of hemorrhage from the
upper gastrointestinal tract, usually from the stomach (Www.nps.org.au 2019, Hanson &
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Rudloff, 2018). The hemorrhage can be observed because of the infection present in the body as
bacteria such as H. Pylori is able to weaken the protective mucous coating of the stomach which
further resulted in secretion of acid that gets through the sensitive lining (Hooi et al., 2017). He
had elevated blood urea nitrogen which indicates extensive bleeding into the gastrointestinal
tract. While the normal level of BUN is 6 to 20mg/dl, the patient had 27.9 mg/dL, highlighting
the kidney is failed to digest intake food properly (Tomizawa et al., 2015). On the other hand,
melena is also most commonly observed in gastrointestinal hemorrhage where more blood in
stomach turn stool into black as observed for the patient ( melena ++). Mitchell and Katelaris
(2016) highlighted that melena in upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage is caused by the effect of
gastric acid and pepsin in the blood which is secreted because gastric mucosal defenses failed to
provide protection. Consequent, he might lose electrolytes from the body due to vomiting or
blood loss. Hence, he was administrated with IVT 8/24 Hartman’s Solution. Many researchers
highlighted that most common complication of the hemorrhage is tissue hypoxia which is
observed in the case study where the patient had an oxygen saturation of 94%
(Www.healthdirect.gov.au, 2019). The normal range of oxygen saturation is 95 to 100 % and
94% indicate tissues are deprived of adequate amount of oxygen (Satoh et al., 2015). Moreover,
the patient had anemia which can also induce tissue hypoxia as in anemic patient
oxygen, oxygen delivery reduction is observed but oxygen extraction is amplified which resulted
in lower tissue oxygen saturation to 94% (Lanas et al., 2018). Moreover, due to hemorrhage the
blood pressure is also low inpatient (BP100/60) whereas, in case of healthy individuals, the
normal blood pressure should be 120/ 80 that further reduced the oxygen saturation. Due to
hemorrhage caused by H.pylori, the patient was experiencing severe pain (9/10.) whereas
reduced pain sensation defined as 1/10 in pain assessment scale (Lanas & Chan, 2017). In the
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case of the patient, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate is 40 which is occurred with inflammation
because of infection and also with anemia. While the normal range of ECR is 0 and 20 mm/hr,
40 indicated the presence of the infection and anemia and require immediate clinical attention
(Satoh et al., 2015).
Question 3:
The two nursing diagnosis during research would be:
Pain assessment to gain an understanding of the pain due to ulcer
ECR rate of the patient to gain an understanding of the presence of infection inpatient
For facilitating faster recovery of the patient, short term and long term goal would be specified
for the patient.
The short term smart goal would be:
Effective pain management along with stable vital signs within the next 48 hours.
The long term goal SMART goal for the patient would be:
Modification of diet and lifestyle within three months
Monitoring complications of ulcer for such as hemorrhage, ECR rate within three
months
Reduction of psychological distress within in 1month
The five nursing interventions for the planned short term and long term recovery goal of the
patient are the following:
1. Management of pain:

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As observed in the case study, the patient initially complained about severe pain (9/10)
but the reduced level to 1/10. The pain can be observed in patient due to reoccurrence of the
infection. As he denied of aspirin which can reduce prostaglandin and facilitate infection, the
patient may be administrated with music therapy. The rationale behind this is that Schug et al .
(2016), proposed that music therapy works in chronic pain management by conferring sensory
stimulation, evokes the response of pain, promote relaxation.
2. Stable vital signs:
In order to check vital signs, the patient would be monitored and observed for 24 hours
before discharge as during the time of discharge the patient is expected to exhibit stable vital
signs. Maintenance of steady vital signs in patients before discharge displays the usual
physiological as well as metabolic body functioning which can be considered as an optimistic
sign of recovery (Cardona-Morrell et al., 2016).
3. Diet and lifestyle modification:
Dietary modification after the discharge of the patient reduces the chance of
reoccurrence of the disease in patient. As discussed by Roberts, Chaboyer and Desbrow (2015),
fruits containing vitamin A and C along with the incorporation of probiotics in the diet may
reduce the reoccurrence as lactobacillus can protect the mucous lining from the infection.
4. Monitoring of complications:
During the process of discharge, it is the responsibility of the nurse to monitor
complications such as blood loss, hemorrhage inpatient and ECR level. The rationale behind
monitoring is that the usual physiological as well as metabolic functioning without complication
exhibit signs of recovery in patient (Mitchell & Katelaris, 2016).
5. Reduction of distress:
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As the patient exhibited distress and agitation, the patient would be provided with meditation as
non-pharmacological therapy as it decreases anxiety, release negative thoughts and help the
patient to eliminate negative thoughts (Vella & McIver, 2019).
Question 4:
After discharge, the patient would be released from the inpatient center and would refer
to the discharge planning unit. The rationale behind this arrangement is that Beck et al. (2016),
highlighted a consultation along with a multidisciplinary team of professionals for designing a
discharge care plan address the holistic needs of the patient. In this phase, the patient and family
members would be provided with literacy regarding the current health situation of the patient and
the risk factors that might facilitate the symptoms. Moreover, the patient should be referred
appropriate care professionals such as an occupational therapist and psychotherapist whom
strength render home care services based on the concerns of the patient and support the mental
and physical wellbeing (Marangoni et al., 2016). Furthermore, the patient would be provided
with prescribed medication and requested to revisit the hospital again for a follow-up session.
After these sessions, he can be released with an aim that he would exhibit signs of faster
recovery from gastric ulcer.
Question 5:
In order to evaluate current nursing practice, reflection is the most suitable tool for
evaluation. Considering this assignment, it assisted me to utilize my critical skills for properly
comprehending case scenario (Karimi et al., 2017). Moreover, successful completion of the
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assignment helped me gather the understanding of the concept of the clinical reasoning cycle and
incorporate it in the case study. Before completing the case study I was unaware of evidenced-
based knowledge associated ulcer. However, after exploring the patient cues and conduct
extensive research on the pathophysiology, symptoms along with available intervention for the
disorder (Daly, 2018). Hence, on the concluding note, I can conclude that the completion of the
task facilitates my practice by increasing theoretical knowledge. It also improved my
understanding of the principles of clinical reasoning cycle and assisted me to evaluate the
scenario. After completion of the assignment, I would be able to interpret critical nuances related
to the concept of clinical reasoning cycle and in future, if a similar case scenario would be
provided to me, I would be able to exhibit excellent nursing skills and attributes with the
assistance of acquired experience during the completion of this assignment. While the
assignment challenged my critical thinking, it encouraged me to involve in rigorous research for
retrieving appropriate answers and facilitate my clinical and academic skills.

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References:
Abdul Rahim, N.R., Benson, J., Grocke, K., Vather, D., Zimmerman, J., Moody, T. and Mwanri,
L., 2017. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in newly arrived refugees attending
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https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nur_Rahim12/publication/308573262_Prevalence_
of_Helicobacter_pylori_infection_in_newly_arrived_refugees_attending_the_Migrant_H
ealth_Service_South_Australia/links/5a4d60c6aca2729b7c8b3c8a/Prevalence-of-
Helicobacter-pylori-infection-in-newly-arrived-refugees-attending-the-Migrant-Health-
Service-South-Australia.pdf
Burkitt, M. D., Duckworth, C. A., Williams, J. M., & Pritchard, D. M. (2017). Helicobacter
pylori-induced gastric pathology: insights from in vivo and ex vivo models. Disease
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Goldstein, J.L., (2015). Gastric ulcer haemorrhage: case report. Reactions, 1540, pp.216-28.
Hanson, K. and Rudloff, E., 2018. Hematemesis and Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage. Textbook of
Small Animal Emergency Medicine, pp.490-495.
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Mitchell, H. & Katelaris, P., (2016). Epidemiology, clinical impacts and current clinical
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Daly, P. (2018). A concise guide to clinical reasoning. Journal of evaluation in clinical
practice, 24(5), 966-972. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jep.12940
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