Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 66%
Practice
Your patient has a retractable gastric peptic ulcer and has had a gastric vagotomy. Which factor increases as a result of vagotomy?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
In this scenario, the correct answer is D) Gastric pH. A gastric vagotomy involves cutting the vagus nerve to reduce acid secretion in the stomach. As a result, gastric pH increases because there is less stimulation for acid production. This surgical procedure is often done to manage peptic ulcers by decreasing the acidity in the stomach, which can help in ulcer healing and prevention of recurrence.
Option A) Peristalsis is not affected by a vagotomy as it is primarily controlled by the autonomic nervous system and smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal tract.
Option B) Gastric acidity decreases after a vagotomy due to reduced acid secretion as a direct result of cutting the vagus nerve.
Option C) Gastric motility may be decreased after a vagotomy because the vagus nerve plays a role in regulating gastrointestinal motility, but it is not the factor that increases as a result of vagotomy.
Understanding the effects of a gastric vagotomy on various physiological processes is crucial for nurses caring for patients who have undergone this procedure. It helps in providing appropriate postoperative care, monitoring for complications, and educating patients about dietary and lifestyle modifications to promote recovery.
Option A) Peristalsis is not affected by a vagotomy as it is primarily controlled by the autonomic nervous system and smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal tract.
Option B) Gastric acidity decreases after a vagotomy due to reduced acid secretion as a direct result of cutting the vagus nerve.
Option C) Gastric motility may be decreased after a vagotomy because the vagus nerve plays a role in regulating gastrointestinal motility, but it is not the factor that increases as a result of vagotomy.
Understanding the effects of a gastric vagotomy on various physiological processes is crucial for nurses caring for patients who have undergone this procedure. It helps in providing appropriate postoperative care, monitoring for complications, and educating patients about dietary and lifestyle modifications to promote recovery.