A nurse is instructing a patient recently diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. Which of the following statements made by the patient indicates an understanding of this disease?

Explanation

• In order to decrease gastric reflux, the patient should eat small, bland meals

• The patient should remain upright after meals to decrease gastric reflux

• The patient should avoid heavy lifting to minimize intra-abdominal pressure

• Hiatal hernia is the protrusion of the upper portion of the stomach into the chest. This can cause gastric reflux, Barrett's esophagus, and increased risk of esophageal cancer

• Elevating the head of the bed will decrease symptoms of reflux associated with a hiatal hernia at night

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