A nurse is providing instructions to a patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The nurse should include which information?
Explanation
• A patient with GERD should take steps to reduce gastric acid secretion and reflux.
• The patient should eat frequent, smaller meals to avoid over distention and reflux.
• Coffee, chocolate, spicy foods and alcohol can increase gastric acid secretion and decrease esophageal sphincter tone.
• The head of the bed should be elevated to prevent reflux while sleeping.
• Drinking a lot of water with meals should be avoided because this can cause the stomach to be over-distended and cause reflux.