Nursing Care Plan for Peptic Ulcer

A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of your stomach or your duodenum, the first part of your small intestine. A burning stomach pain is the most common symptom. The pain :

• May come and go for a few days or weeks
• May bother you more when your stomach is empty
• Usually goes away after you eat

Peptic ulcers happen when the acids that help you digest food damage the walls of the stomach or duodenum. The most common cause is infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. Another cause is the long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Stress and spicy foods do not cause ulcers, but can make them worse.

Nursing Assessment Nursing Care Plan for Peptic Ulcer

• Assess for chronic use of certain medications (such as aspirin, steroids).
• Collect information of complaints that brought client to the hospital.
• Obtain history of onset and progression of symptoms.
• Obtain information of diet, use of alcohol and tobacco, ingestion of irritating foods, previous diseases or infections of GI tract, emotional stress.
• Assess connection of pain attacks to meals, certain drugs, ingestion of coffee, alcohol.
• Perform complete physical assessment including weight, vital signs, signs of GI bleeding, and acute abdomen.
• Assess diagnostic tests and procedures for abnormal values

Nursing Diagnosis for Peptic Ulcer

1. Acute Pain related to irritation of the mucosa and muscle spasms.
2. Anxiety related to the nature and management of long-term illness
3. Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements related to pain associated with food.
4. Knowledge deficient the prevention, symptoms and treatment of conditions related to inadequate information.

Nursing Intervention Nursing Care Plan for Peptic Ulcer

Goals :

• Reduce or completely eliminate contributing factors.
• Assist with stress management.
• Promote adequate nutrition.
• Prevent avoidable injury.
• Then surgical intervention prescribed, prevent postoperative complications.
• Relief or diminish symptoms.
• Decreased anxiety with increased knowledge of disease, it treatment, way of prevention and follow-up.

Nursing Interventions

1. Assess, report , and record signs and symptoms and reactions to treatment.
2. Monitor fluids input and output closely.
3. Administer antacid agents, analgesics, H2-receptors antagonists, anticholinergics, sedatives as prescribed, monitor for side effects.
4. Monitor client’s vital signs and signs of possible GI bleeding or perforation closely.
5. Monitor laboratory tests results (CBC, electrolytes, Hb levels) for abnormal values.
6. Undertake appropriate intervention in case of GI bleeding, vomiting, or perforation.
7. Provide prescribed diet – avoid irritating foods, coffee, etc.
8. Prepare client and his family for surgical intervention if required for recurrent ulcer, hemorrhage, or perforation.
9. For client after surgical intervention provide postoperative care and inform about possible postoperative complications, such as dumping syndrome.
10. Provide emotional support to client, explain all procedures to decrease anxiety and to obtain cooperation.
11. Instruct client regarding disease progress, diagnostic procedures, treatment and its complications, home care, daily activities, diet, restrictions and follow-up.