The nurse learns that a patient who is being treated for peptic ulcer disease is "still having problems." What should the nurse instruct this patient to do?

Question

1. try smoking cessation techniques
2. eat a bland diet
3. avoid eating breakfast
4. have the largest meal of the day at lunchtime

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
Smoking should be discouraged, because it slows the rate of healing and increases the frequency of relapses. Diet therapy for peptic ulcer disease includes having the patient eat several small meals per day and avoid foods that produce symptoms, rather than prescribing a particular diet such as a bland diet. There is no need to avoid eating breakfast or have the largest meal of the day at lunchtime.