Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention Anxiety | Nursing Care Plan Peptic Ulcer

A peptic ulcer is a distinct breach in the mucosal lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or the first part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer), a result of caustic effects of acid and pepsin in the lumen. Histologically, peptic ulcer is identified as necrosis of the mucosa which produces lesions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm (1/5"). It is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common causes of peptic ulcer. Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs.

Symptoms of a peptic ulcer can be

• abdominal pain, classically epigastric strongly correlated to mealtimes. In case of duodenal ulcers the pain appears about three hours after taking a meal;
• bloating and abdominal fullness;
• waterbrash (rush of saliva after an episode of regurgitation to dilute the acid in esophagus - although this is more associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease);
• nausea, and copious vomiting;
• loss of appetite and weight loss;
• hematemesis (vomiting of blood); this can occur due to bleeding directly from a gastric ulcer, or from damage to the esophagus from severe/continuing vomiting.
• melena (tarry, foul-smelling feces due to presence of oxidized iron from hemoglobin);
• rarely, an ulcer can lead to a gastric or duodenal perforation, which leads to acute peritonitis, extreme, stabbing pain, and requires immediate surgery.

Nursing Diagnosis Anxiety Nursing Care Plan Peptic Ulcer

related to the nature and management of long-term illness.

Goal: Decrease Anxiety

Nursing Intervention Anxiety Nursing Care Plan Peptic Ulcer

1. Encourage clients to express their problems and fears and ask questions as needed.
   R /: Open communication helps clients develop a relationship of trust that helps reduce anxiety and stress.


Explain the reasons for obeying the planned treatment schedule :
• Pharmacotherapy
• Restricted diet
• Modification of activity level
• Reduce or stop smoking
R /: Knowledge reduce anxiety appears to be fear due to ignorance. Knowledge can have a positive impact on behavior change.


Help clients to identify situations that cause anxiety.
R /: Stressors need to be identified before it can be overcome.


Teach stress management strategies: eg drugs, distraction, and imagination.
R /: Decrease anxiety reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid.