Etiology
A weakened esophageal sphincter allowing the acid or bile up into the
  esophagus from the stomach. Also increased amount of     acid or bile can cause
  a patient to have GERD signs and symptoms. Patients at high risk include:
  Obese patients, pregnant patients, patients who smoke, and those with a
  hiatal hernia. Some medications can place a patient at higher risk too, such as
  antihistamines, pain medications, calcium channel blockers, and
  antidepressants.
  Desired Outcome
  Maintain a normal amount of acid in the stomach, eliminate or decrease
  burning in the esophagus from acid splashing up and protect the GI tract from
  bleeding.
  Subjective and Objective Data
Subjective Data
Chest burning/pain
Dysphagia
Regurgitation
Sore throat
‘Heartburn’
Nausea
Objective Data
Holding or pressing on the chest due to discomfort
Normal ECG
Normal vital signs
Non-reproducible chest pain
Weight-loss
Vomiting
Erosion of teeth enamel
Wheezing
Laryngitis
  Nursing Interventions and Rationales
              1.
Educate on the benefits of lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking Wear loose
fitting clothing Keeping active
   2.
   1. Quitting smoking: Nicotine relaxes the esophageal sphincter.
        Teaching the patients about the connection helps give them
        another reason to quit.
        Wear loose fitting clothing: Having the midsection squeezed puts
        pressure on the stomach-this is the same concept as being
        overweight.
        Keeping active: Helps the patient lose weight, which is important
        since excess weight pushes on the stomach.
   3.
Medications! Proton Pump Inhibitors: Esomeprazole Lansoprazole
Omeprazole Pantoprazole Antacids: Maalox Mylanta Rolaids H2
Blockers: Cimetidine Famotidine Nizatidine Ranitidine Prokinetics:
Bethanechol Metoclopramide Antibiotics: Erythromycin
   4.
   1. Proton Pump Inhibitors:
        Decreases the amount of acid made in the stomach
        -Prevents the transport of H ions into the gastric lumen by
        binding to gastric parietal cells, ↓ gastric acid production
        Antacids:
        Neutralizes stomach acid
        H2 Blockers:
        Decreases the amount of acid made in the stomach
        -Inhibits action of histamine leading to inhibition of gastric acid
        secretion
         Prokinetics:
         Helps to empty the stomach faster.
         -Accelerates gastric emptying by stimulating motility
         Antibiotics:
         Helps to empty the stomach faster (watch out for diarrhea
         though!)
   5.
Educate on nutritional changes
   6.
   1. Nutritional changes such as not over eating, avoiding acidic foods
         like orange juice or spicy foods such as salsa.
         Also after eating, be sure to have the patient sitting in an upright
         position for at least 2-3 hours. Also, having a patient sleep with
         their HOB greater than 30 degrees helps.
   7.
Prepare the patient for a Barium Swallow Test
   8.
   1. An X-Ray tech will perform this test, your job as a nurse is to
         prepare the patient for this appointment. Generally the patient
         has been NPO but check with the hospital policy or through the
         X-Ray tech as to how long they would like the patient to be NPO
         prior to the test.
   9.
Assist with Endoscopy
   10.
   1. This procedure allows the visualization of the esophagus and the
         esophageal sphincter.
         The nurse will be administering sedative medications,
         maintaining the airway and monitoring vital signs.
   11.
Obtain an ECG
   12.
   1. The symptoms of chest burning and pain are similar to that of a
         heart attack. It is always important to eliminate the heart as a
         problem, and not to just assume that the patient is experiencing
         GERD symptoms.
   13.
Encourage a healthy weight
   14.
   1. Access fat on a patient usually shows up in their abdomen and
         the displaces their stomach, increasing the risk of acid or bile
         deviously sneaking into the supposed off limits zones.