The nurse is conducting a teaching session with older clients at the community center about the risks for peptic ulcers found with this age group. The nurse includes which of the following information in the session?

Question

1. Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is likely to be infected with the bacteria H. pylori.
2. PUD in an older client causes less bleeding than in a younger client.
3. The elderly client experiences more severe abdominal pain than a younger client with PUD.
4. Older clients should undergo colonoscopy.

Answer 1

1. Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is likely to be infected with the bacteria H. pylori.

Rationale:
H. pylori infection is a major factor in the development of ulcers, and prevalence increases with the age of the client. Seventy to ninety percent of persons with gastric ulcers and 90?100% of clients with duodenal ulcers are found to have this infection. Older clients experience more bleeding and often have less pain with the ulcer. Bleeding may be the initial symptom experienced. Clients with peptic ulcers should have upper GI endoscopy performed to diagnose the problem with visualization and biopsy, not colonoscopy.