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