Question

J.H. is a 42-year old male that will be discharged home from the hospital today following a brief admission for abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with a gastric ulcer and GERD and is being sent home on Po omeprazole (Prilosec) 20mg BID for 12 weeks.

A. As the nurse completing his discharge instructions, please list three teaching points regarding omeprazole that you will need to include in his discharge instructions. Be sure that the education provided in your answer is specific to this particular medication and not too general in nature.

i.

ii.

iii.

B. J.H. wants to know whether or not he can continue to take OTC Po antacids if he has breakthough symptoms of GERD while taking omeprazole (Prilosec). How do you as the nurse respond to this patient’s question? (This patient question does not require a phonecall to the provider!)

Answer 1

A.The following education to be given to the patient are

i.This medication has to be taken in empty stomach or before meals , ideally given in the morning before breakfast and in the evening before dinner.It has. aproton pump inhibitor and ceases the production of acids in stomach

ii.Report to health care professionals in case of decreased urine output, diarrhea, dysentery,joint pain,chest pain, dyspnea, bone loss,etc.,

iii.No OTC medication or alcohol which can interact with the drug

B.As per the research nearly 40% of cases gets a relapse of this diseases.The Best way to respond are

• Rest for a while ,if severe get medical help
• Lifestyle modifications like adequate exercise,diet and weight management can reduce the breakthrough of the symptoms.