NURS6501 Week 3 | Pathology in Health Care - Walden university

Question 3 A 36-year-old morbidly obese female comes to the office with a chief complaint of “burning in my chest and a funny taste in my mouth”. The symptoms have been present for years but patient states she had been treating the symptoms with antacid tablets which helped until the last 4 or 5 weeks. She never saw a healthcare provider for that. She says the symptoms get worse at night when she is lying down and has had to sleep with 2 pillows. She says she has started coughing at night which has been interfering with her sleep. She denies palpitations, shortness of breath, or nausea. PMH-HTN, venous stasis ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoarthritis of knees, morbid obesity (BMI 48 kg/m2) Family history-non contributary Medications-amlodipine 10 mg po qd, dicyclomine 20 mg po, ibuprofen 600 mg po q 6 hr prn Social hx- 15 pack/year history of smoking, occasional alcohol use, denies vaping The health care provider diagnoses the patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Question: The client asks the APRN what causes GERD. What is the APRN’s best response?