NCLEX Review & Nursing School

DUODENAL ULCER

Erosions that occur in the mucosa in the duodenum.

– occurs between 35-65 yrs. of age.
– usually no vomiting in patients.

Assessment:
– Person would have epigastric pain 2-3 hrs. after a meal
– Pain can be relieved by food intake.
– There is sometimes an occurrence of melena

Try to Remember the difference:

– A quick way to differentiate between Duodenal and Gastric ulcer

1. GASTRIC ULCERS– pain is high within the epigastric area.  It occurs 1 to 2 hrs. after eating.

2. DUODENAL ULCERS- pain is in the midepigastric area, just below the xiphoid process.  It occurs 2 to 4 hrs. after eating and it is relieved by eating or by taking antacids.

CAUSES:

– High secretions of HCL Acid.

– Chronic Gastritis

– Medications such as Aspirin, NSAIDS & Corticosteroids.

 

TREATMENT:

Medications to treat H. Pylori

• Metronidazole (Flagyl)
• Omeprazole (Prilosec)
• Tetracycline

– ANTACIDS

– Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists

– PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitors)

 

Lifestyle Changes:

– Decrease or eliminate alcohol consumption.

– Decrease or stop smoking.