Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining due to either erosion or atrophy.
Erosive causes include stresses such as physical illness or medications such as
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Atrophic causes include a his-
tory of prior surgery (such as gastrectomy), pernicious anemia, alcohol use, or
Helicobacter pylori infection.
PROGNOSIS
Gastritis may cause changes within the cells of the stomach lining leading to mal-
nutrition, lymphoma, or gastric cancer. Hospitalized patients, especially in criti-
cal care settings, should have preventive medications to avoid the development
of gastritis.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• Nausea and vomiting
• Anorexia
• Epigastric area discomfort
• Epigastric tenderness on palpation due to gastric irritation
• Bleeding from irritation of the gastric mucosa
• Hematemesis—possible coffee ground emesis due to partial digestion of blood
• Melena—black, tarry stool
TREATMENT
• Administer antacids:
• Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, Gaviscon
• Administer sucralfate to protect gastric lining.
• Administer histamine 2 blockers:
• ranitidine, famotidine, nizatidine, cimetidine
• Administer proton pump inhibitors:
• omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, lansoprazole
• Eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection if present.
• Diet modification.
• Monitor hemoglobin and hematocrit.
NURSING DIAGNOSES
• Risk for imbalanced nutrition: less than what body requires
• Risk for imbalanced fluid volume
NURSING INTERVENTION
• Monitor vital signs.
• Monitor intake and output.
• Monitor stool for occult blood.
• Assess abdomen for bowel sounds, tenderness.
• Teach patient about:
• Diet restrictions: avoid alcohol, caffeine, acidic foods.
• Medications.
• The need to avoid smoking.
• The need to avoid NSAIDs.
• Nausea
