In: Nursing
Mr. Smith has a duodenal ulcer and a new prescription for sucralfate. He asks the nurse how this medication works, and you correctly respond that it:
A. Prevents gastric acid secretion in the stomach
B. Neutralizes gastric acid after it is secreted
C. Adheres to the ulcer and protects it from gastric acid
D. Kills the bacteria which cause ulcers
The correct answer is C - adheres to the ulcer and protects it from gastric acid
Explanation
Incorrect answers.
A. Sucralfate has no effect on gastric acid secretion. Drugs like proton pump inhibitor and histamine 2 receptor blocker reduce gastric acid secretion
B. Sucralfate can buffer acid but it is not its main mechanism of action
D Sucralfate has no action against helicobacter pylori. Drugs like amoxicillin, metronidazole, tinidazole, tetracycline and clarithromycin are effective against H. pylori