Pt Hx of GERD and NPO-- hold the med or adminster it?

[RNstudentc/o2010]

Hi, my pt has a Hx of GERD:eek:, and he is being prescribed Protonix for management of his GERD. However, now he is NPO:yawn: because of diverticulosis. The only thing he can take po is his meds and a little H2O when he takes his meds. I was wondering if he would still need his PPI even though he is NPO and there would probably be no need for it (right?). :heartbeat

[Chewie_123]

PPIs are something that shouldn't be stopped abruptly. Just cause you're not eating doesn't mean your stomach isn't making acid.

And protonix can be given IV... :)

[BluegrassRN]

It is standard for hospitalized pts to receive some sort of PPI. Under stress/illness, your body can produce more acid, causing reflux problems. Lying down, less activity can cause increase in GERD symptoms. Some medications can cause more issues with reflux. That's why most hospitalized pts, NPO or not, get some sort of PPI.

I work on a med/surg unit. How do I differentiate heartburn from chest pain? Answer, I don't. I have to run the chest pain protocol no matter what. It's nice to have them already on something for heartburn; it cuts down on the faux chest pain and it also eliminates one cause when my pt *does* have chest pain.

Definitely administer the med!