A nurse is teaching a client about strategies to manage gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. This is because lying down after eating can worsen GERD symptoms by allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus. By avoiding eating close to bedtime, the client can reduce the risk of acid reflux. A: Elevating the head of the bed helps reduce nighttime symptoms, but it is not the most essential strategy. B: Avoiding snacking between meals can help, but the timing of meals is more crucial for managing GERD. C: Limiting foods high in fiber is not directly related to managing GERD; it is more about avoiding trigger foods like citrus, caffeine, and fatty foods.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because peristalsis, the involuntary movement of the digestive tract, is controlled by both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The parasympathetic nervous system stimulates peristalsis, while the sympathetic nervous system inhibits it. Choice A is incorrect because the somatic motor nervous system controls voluntary movements, not peristalsis. Choice B is incorrect because the sympathetic nervous system inhibits peristalsis. Choice D is incorrect because the somatic motor nervous system does not control peristalsis in the digestive tract; it controls skeletal muscle movements.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: omental bursa. The omental bursa is a potential space located behind the stomach and in front of the pancreas, forming a cavity or pocket between the layers of mesenteries. This structure allows for movement and accommodation of the stomach during digestion. A: Visceral pleura and B: Parietal pleura are layers of the pleural membrane in the thoracic cavity, not related to mesenteries or cavity formation. D: Retroperitoneum refers to the space behind the peritoneum, not specifically forming a cavity or pocket between mesenteries.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: lysozymes. Lysozymes in saliva help to break down bacterial cell walls, reducing the risk of gingivitis and caries. Immunoglobulin A helps to fight off harmful bacteria. Salivary amylase aids in digestion, not in preventing gingivitis or caries. Mucus and water in saliva do not directly contribute to the reduction of gingivitis or caries.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: taking antibiotics that destroy Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori is a common cause of peptic ulcers, and eradicating it with antibiotics can lead to a permanent cure. Smoking and alcohol cessation (choice A) can help improve symptoms but won't address the root cause. Meditation (choice B) can help manage stress but won't cure the ulcer. Tagament or Zantac (choice D) are medications that can help reduce stomach acid but won't treat the underlying bacterial infection causing the ulcer. Thus, choice C is the most effective in permanently curing the ulcer.