Nursing a patient with gastric and duodenal ulcer disease

Abstract

Introduction. Gastric and duodenal ulcers are chronic and can lead to serious complications, including life-threatening ones.

The aim. The aim of the study was to analyze the tasks of a nurse in the care of a patient with gastric and duodenal ulcer disease.

Case study. A 44-year-old patient was admitted to the ER in emergency mode due to bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract and chest pain. A week ago, the patient ended his alcoholic streak. After gastroscopic examination, a gastric and duodenal ulcer was confirmed with bleeding from a ruptured ulcer. A decision was made to perform emergency surgery. Currently, the patient stays for 1 day in the surgical ward.

Conclusions. The problems of a patient with gastric and duodenal ulcer are a challenge for the patient as well as for the entire therapeutic team taking care of him. The dominant problems in the patient are: the risk of re-hemorrhage from the gastrointestinal tract, the possibility of water and electrolyte disturbances, the risk of infection and dehiscence of the wound after surgery, pain around the wound, the risk of respiratory and digestive system complications after surgery, malaise of the patient with due to nausea, patient's self-care deficit, patient's risk of malnutrition, patient's anxiety about his health, lack of knowledge about the conditions of peptic ulcer disease and its relationship with alcoholism.

2. Educational activities undertaken by a nurse towards a patient with gastric and duodenal ulcer disease to prevent the complications of the disease and its exacerbations should focus on: motivating to change the current lifestyle, giving up smoking and drinking alcohol, applying the principles of self-control and therapy, including diet therapy.