Question

Andria Treat is a 68-year-old woman in reasonably good health, although overweight. She takes a daily multivitamin supplement and almost daily over-the-counter antacids for heartburn. She says she eats mainly lean meat, chicken, fish, and seasonal fruit and fresh vegetables from her garden. She now reports having severe heartburn. Also, over the past two days, she has had painful stomach cramps and diarrhea. She reports that she attended a family reunion picnic two days earlier.

1. Based on her history, which of the following is a likely explanation for Mrs. Treat's sudden onset diarrhea?

a. her age

b. spending time outdoors

c. foodborne illness

d. being overweight

e. the multivitamin

2. What might be a cause of Mrs. Treat's ongoing heartburn?

a. her age

b. spending time outdoors

c. foodborne illness

d. being overweight

e. the multivitamin

3. Mrs. Treat notes that her heartburn got worse while she was at the family reunion. Why might that be?

a. She took a 1-mile walk.

b. She was wearing loose clothes.

c. She ate slower than usual because she was busy talking to family members.

d. She was playing with her grandchildren.

e. She ate too much.

4. Mrs. Treat's niece, a registered dietitian nutritionist, or RDN, upon learning that her aunt takes antacids almost daily, advises her to quit relying on them so much because, in her professional opinion:

a. Antacids don't work.

b. Antacids cause gastroesophageal reflux.

c. Antacids cause ulcers.

d. Antacids are best for treating belching.

e. Regular use of antacids may mask a serious problem.

5. For treatment of the diarrhea, Mrs. Treat's doctor advises several strategies. Which of these strategies would the doctor not advise?

a. resting

b. drinking fewer liquids

c. avoiding strenuous activity

d. calling for medical help if diarrhea persists

e. drinking extra liquids

6. The doctor refers Mrs. Treat to a gastroenterologist for the reported heartburn and daily use of antacids she's using to treat it. What is a concern the doctor may have?

a. that she may be harming her esophagus

b. that she has ulcers

c. that she needs treatment for belching

d. that she may need to reduce her activity

e. that she may be harming her teeth

7. Mrs. Treat's niece, the RDN, offers her aunt some strategies for heartburn that she gives her patients with heartburn. Which of these strategies would be among those recommended?

a. Eat three main meals daily, no snacks.

b. Don't worry about eliminating any foods.

c. Wait 3 hours after eating before lying down.

d. Drink liquids with meals.

e. Keep head flat while sleeping.

8. The doctor asks Mrs. Treat why she thinks she has heartburn. He's looking to see if she has the usual heartburn symptoms, which include:

a. belching

b. pain on the lower left side of the abdomen

c. constipation

d. flatulence

e. acid taste in the mouth

Answer 1

1. Based on her history, which of the following is a likely explanation for Mrs. Treat's sudden onset diarrhea?

C. foodborne illness

It results due to an intake of food in outdoors which is contaminated and consists of pathogenic organisms.

2. What is the most likely cause of Mrs. Treat's heartburn?

d. being overweight.

Heating heavy meal and lying soon after the meal is risk factors for heartburn.

3.Mrs. Treat notes that her heartburn got worse while she was at the family reunion. Why might that be?

d. she was playing with the grandchildren.

Mrs. treat had a short nap right after lunch as she was exhausted playing with grandchildren. Thus increases the heartburn.

4. Mrs. Treat's niece, a registered dietitian nutritionist, or RDN, upon learning that her aunt takes antacids almost daily, advises her to quit relying on them so much because in her professional opinion:

e. Regular use of antacids may mask a serious problem.

Antacid help to neutralize the stomach acid, but regular use of over-the-counter medication results in serious health problems.

5. . For treatment of diarrhea, Mrs. Treat's doctor advises several strategies. Which of these strategies would the doctor not advise?

b. Drink fewer liquids.

a. rest - Helps her to recover from fatigue and weakness due to diarrhea.

c. avoiding strenuous activity will prevent further complication.

d. calling for medical help if diarrhea persists will avoid the complications of electrolyte imbalances and diarrhea.

e. Drink extra fluids will help to regain the electrolyte balances.

6. The doctor refers Mrs. Treat to a gastroenterologist for the reported heartburn and daily use of antacids she's using to treat it. What is a concern the doctor may have?

a. that she may be harming her esophagus.

Heartburn is due to stomach acid irritating the lining of the esophagus. So the doctor referred gastroenterologist for the proper treatment of heartburn.

7. Mrs. Treat's niece, the RDN, offers her aunt some strategies for heartburn that she gives her patients with heartburn. Which of these strategies would be among those recommended?

C. wait 3 hours after eating before lying down.

It helps to neutralize the stomach acid. Lying soon after the food will regurgitate the stomach acid which further increases the heartburn.

8. The doctor asks Mrs. Treat why she thinks she has heartburn. He's looking to see if she has the usual heartburn symptoms, which include:

e. acid taste in the mouth.

Sour, acidic taste present at the back of the throat is the common symptom of heartburn.