GERD Medications: Pharmacology for Nurses

Question 1

Which of the following drugs belongs to the class of proton pump inhibitors, commonly used to treat GERD?

Accepted Answer

Omeprazole

Answer

Ranitidine

Answer

Sucralfate

Answer

Metoclopramide

Question 2

Which of the following drugs is a histamine-2 receptor (H2R) antagonist?

Accepted Answer

Cimetidine

Answer

Omeprazole

Answer

Lansoprazole

Answer

Rabeprazole

Question 3

Which of the following patients is most likely to benefit from antacids as a treatment for GERD?

Accepted Answer

Patient with mild to moderate heartburn and regurgitation

Answer

Patient with persistent nausea and vomiting

Answer

Patient with severe esophageal bleeding

Answer

Patient with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Question 4

Which of the following drugs acts by blocking the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on gastric smooth muscle, decreasing gastric motility?

Accepted Answer

Baclofen

Answer

Metoclopramide

Answer

Domperidone

Answer

Cisapride

Question 5

Which of the following laboratory tests is used to assess the effectiveness of PPI therapy for GERD?

Accepted Answer

24-Hour Intragastric pH monitoring

Answer

Upper endoscopy

Answer

Esophageal manometry

Answer

Serum gastrin level

Question 6

Which of the following accurately describes the primary mechanism of action of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the treatment of GERD?

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting gastric acid secretion by blocking the H+/K+-ATPase enzyme

Answer

Neutralizing stomach acid

Answer

Increasing lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tone

Answer

Promoting mucosal healing

Question 7

Select the drug that belongs to the class of histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs):

Accepted Answer

Famotidine

Answer

Omeprazole

Answer

Pantoprazole

Answer

Sucralfate

Question 8

When administering sucralfate, it's important to avoid giving it together with which of the following medications?

Accepted Answer

Antacids, as they can interfere with sucralfate's formation of a protective barrier

Answer

H2RAs

Answer

PPIs

Answer

Metoclopramide

Question 9

What is the specific mechanism of action of prokinetics in the treatment of GERD?

Accepted Answer

Promoting gastric emptying and reducing gastroesophageal reflux

Answer

Reducing gastric acid production

Answer

Increasing lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tone

Answer

Neutralizing stomach acid

Question 10

What is the recommended duration of PPI therapy for uncomplicated GERD?

Accepted Answer

4-8 weeks to allow for healing of the esophageal mucosa

Answer

8-12 weeks

Answer

12-16 weeks

Answer

As needed

Question 11

What is the primary mechanism of action of H2-receptor antagonists in the treatment of GERD?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of gastric acid secretion

Answer

Reduction of lower esophageal sphincter pressure

Answer

Stimulation of gastric mucus production

Answer

Antagonism of gastrin receptors

Question 12

Which drug class is considered most effective in healing erosive esophagitis?

Accepted Answer

PPIs

Answer

H2-receptor antagonists

Answer

Sucralfate

Answer

Antacids

Question 13

What is the main advantage of using enteric-coated aspirin in GERD treatment?

Accepted Answer

Reduced risk of gastric mucosal damage

Answer

Improved absorption from the small intestine

Answer

Prolonged duration of action

Answer

Enhanced anti-inflammatory effects

Question 14

What is the primary nursing consideration when administering antacids?

Accepted Answer

Administering them with food or milk

Answer

Monitoring for electrolyte imbalances

Answer

Avoiding concurrent use with other medications

Answer

Assessing for potential drug interactions

Question 15

What is the main effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the pH level in the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Raise the pH level

Answer

Lower the pH level

Answer

No significant change in pH level

Question 16

What is a potential long-term complication of using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of osteoporosis

Answer

Enhanced absorption of vitamin B12

Answer

Reduced risk of pneumonia

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a recommended lifestyle modification to alleviate GERD symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Taking antacids after every meal.

Answer

Refraining from spicy food consumption.

Answer

Shedding excess weight if overweight or obese.

Answer

Elevating the head of the bed by 6 inches.

Question 18

In determining the appropriate dosage of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for children, which factors are most important to consider?

Accepted Answer

Age and weight

Answer

Weight only

Answer

Age only

Answer

Neither age nor weight

Question 19

Which pharmacological class is typically considered first-line therapy for GERD?

Accepted Answer

Proton pump inhibitors

Answer

Histamine-2 receptor antagonists

Answer

Antacids

Answer

Sucralfate

Question 20

What is the primary mechanism of action of proton pump inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of the H+, K+-ATPase pump in parietal cells

Answer

Stimulation of gastric mucus production

Answer

Neutralization of gastric acid

Question 21

Which medication is an example of a histamine-2 receptor antagonist?

Accepted Answer

Cimetidine

Answer

Sucralfate

Answer

Magnesium hydroxide

Answer

Omeprazole

Question 22

What is the primary indication for antacids in GERD management?

Accepted Answer

Symptomatic relief of heartburn

Answer

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Answer

Prevention of gastric bleeding

Answer

Long-term healing of esophageal ulcers

Question 23

Which medication is used to protect the esophageal mucosa from gastric contents?

Accepted Answer

Sucralfate

Answer

Rabeprazole

Answer

Sodium bicarbonate

Answer

Famotidine

Question 24

Which adverse effect is commonly associated with proton pump inhibitor use?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Central nervous system excitation

Question 25

When is surgical intervention usually considered in GERD management?

Accepted Answer

When medical therapy fails to adequately control symptoms

Answer

Only when there is evidence of esophageal cancer

Answer

As a primary treatment option for all patients with GERD

Answer

When the patient specifically requests surgery

Question 26

Which lifestyle modification can help reduce GERD symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Elevating the head of the bed

Answer

Lying down immediately after eating

Answer

Consuming large meals before bedtime

Answer

Smoking

Question 27

Which medication is contraindicated in patients with a history of QT interval prolongation?

Accepted Answer

Metoclopramide

Answer

Magnesium hydroxide

Answer

Omeprazole

Answer

Famotidine

Question 28

Which of the following medications is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat GERD?

Accepted Answer

Omeprazole

Answer

Sucralfate

Answer

Pepto-Bismol

Answer

Famotidine

Question 29

Which of the following is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) used to treat GERD?

Accepted Answer

Ranitidine

Answer

Prilosec

Answer

Gaviscon

Answer

Carafate

Question 30

What is the primary mechanism of action of antacids used to treat GERD?

Accepted Answer

Neutralizing gastric acid

Answer

Inhibiting gastric acid secretion

Answer

Blocking histamine receptors

Answer

Promoting mucosal healing

Question 31

Which of the following medications is a prokinetic agent used to facilitate gastric emptying in GERD?

Accepted Answer

Metoclopramide

Answer

Ondansetron

Answer

Cimetidine

Answer

Lansoprazole

Question 32

Which of the following is a nursing consideration when administering PPIs?

Accepted Answer

Take on an empty stomach

Answer

Crush and dissolve in water

Answer

Take with food

Answer

Administer subcutaneously

Question 33

What is the role of lifestyle modifications in the management of GERD?

Accepted Answer

Losing weight, avoiding trigger foods, elevating the head of the bed

Answer

Smoking cessation, caffeine intake, stress management

Answer

Restrictive diets, avoiding spicy foods, limiting alcohol intake

Answer

Antacid use, PPI therapy, H2RA therapy

Question 34

Which of the following patients would be an appropriate candidate for surgical intervention for GERD?

Accepted Answer

Patient with severe esophagitis refractory to medical therapy

Answer

Patient with intermittent reflux symptoms

Answer

Patient with mild heartburn and regurgitation

Answer

Patient with well-controlled symptoms on PPIs

Question 35

Which of the following patient assessments is most important when monitoring the effectiveness of GERD therapy?

Accepted Answer

Symptom evaluation

Answer

Esophageal pH monitoring

Answer

Upper endoscopy

Answer

Gastric biopsy

Question 36

Identify the mechanism of action of histamine-2 receptor antagonists.

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of gastric acid secretion

Answer

Reduction of gastric motility

Answer

Neutralization of gastric acid

Answer

Cytoprotection of gastric mucosa

Question 37

In severe GERD, which drug class is considered the optimal treatment choice?

Accepted Answer

Proton pump inhibitors

Answer

Histamine-2 receptor antagonists

Answer

Antacids

Answer

Prokinetics

Question 38

Which adverse effect is commonly associated with proton pump inhibitor therapy?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Answer

Diarrhea

Answer

Headache

Answer

Nausea

Question 39

Which lifestyle modification can help alleviate GERD symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Elevating the head of the bed

Answer

Increasing fluid intake

Answer

Consuming larger meals

Answer

Lying down after eating

Question 40

Which condition is a contraindication for prokinetic agents?

Accepted Answer

Gastric outlet obstruction

Answer

Hiatal hernia

Answer

Gastroparesis

Answer

Achalasia

Question 41

What is the primary objective of pharmacological management for GERD?

Accepted Answer

Symptomatic relief and healing of esophageal damage

Answer

Reduction of gastric acid production

Answer

Prevention of esophageal cancer

Question 42

Which of the following is the primary mechanism of action of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of gastric acid secretion by blocking the H+/K+ ATPase pump in the gastric parietal cells.

Answer

Stimulation of gastric motility by increasing the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Answer

Blockade of H2 receptors on gastric parietal cells.

Answer

Enhancement of mucosal defense by increasing production of gastric mucus and bicarbonate.

Question 43

Which of the following drugs is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist used to reduce gastric acid secretion in the treatment of GERD?

Accepted Answer

Ranitidine

Answer

Omeprazole

Answer

Sucralfate

Question 44

Which of the following lifestyle modifications can help alleviate symptoms of GERD?

Accepted Answer

Avoiding large meals, as they can increase intragastric pressure and promote acid reflux.

Answer

Smoking, which can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and worsen acid reflux.

Answer

Lying down after eating, which can allow gastric contents to reflux into the esophagus.

Answer

Increasing caffeine intake, which can stimulate gastric acid secretion and worsen symptoms.

Question 45

Which of the following is a contraindication to the use of prokinetics in the treatment of GERD?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical obstruction, such as esophageal stricture or achalasia, where the use of prokinetics can increase the risk of esophageal perforation.

Answer

Renal impairment, as prokinetics are primarily metabolized by the liver.

Answer

Mild esophagitis, as prokinetics are not effective in treating inflammation.

Answer

Pregnancy, as the safety of prokinetics in pregnant women has not been well established.

Question 46

Which of the following is a benefit of using a combination therapy of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and a prokinetic in GERD management?

Accepted Answer

Improved symptom control by combining the acid-suppressing effects of PPIs with the esophageal motility-enhancing effects of prokinetics.

Answer

Lower cost, as combination therapy can be more cost-effective than using either drug alone.

Answer

Increased patient adherence, as the use of multiple medications can improve compliance.

Answer

Reduced risk of adverse effects, as the combination of different drug classes can minimize the side effects of each individual drug.

Question 47

What is the primary way proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) treat GERD?

Accepted Answer

They block the enzyme that produces stomach acid.

Answer

They neutralize stomach acid directly.

Answer

They speed up the emptying of the stomach.

Answer

They strengthen the muscles that control the lower esophageal sphincter.

Question 48

Which of these side effects is commonly seen with prokinetics like metoclopramide used for GERD?

Accepted Answer

Involuntary muscle movements (extrapyramidal symptoms)

Answer

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Answer

Liver damage (hepatotoxicity)

Answer

Increased risk of blood clots.

Question 49

When might surgery be considered for GERD?

Accepted Answer

When medications don't work, there's serious damage to the esophagus, or complications like a narrowing or Barrett's esophagus develop.

Answer

When a patient experiences heartburn more than once a week.

Answer

When a patient is diagnosed with GERD for the first time.

Answer

When symptoms are mild but don't improve with lifestyle changes.

Question 50

Which of these is NOT a recommended lifestyle change for managing GERD?

Accepted Answer

Smoking cigarettes

Answer

Raising the head of the bed

Answer

Eating smaller meals

Answer

Losing weight

Question 51

Prokinetics are generally NOT used for GERD in patients with:

Accepted Answer

A blockage at the outlet of the stomach (gastric outlet obstruction)

Answer

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Pregnancy

Question 52

Which of these is an example of an antacid?

Accepted Answer

Sodium bicarbonate

Answer

Sucralfate (a protective agent)

Answer

Omeprazole (a PPI)

Answer

Metoclopramide (a prokinetic)

Question 53

What is a possible side effect of long-term use of PPIs?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Answer

Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)

Answer

A hole in the esophagus (esophageal perforation)

Answer

Stomach cancer (gastric cancer)

Question 54

When a patient is taking sucralfate, what should the nurse monitor for?

Accepted Answer

Constipation

Answer

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Answer

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Answer

Seizures