Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which statement regarding acute gastritis is true?

1. Chronic intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause the disorder

2. Chronic lack of dietary fiber is the main cause of the disorder

3. The screening test for the disorder is the barium swallow test

4. The gold standard to evaluate the disorder is a colonoscopy

The correct answer is: Chronic intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause the disorder

Chronic intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is indeed a well-established cause of acute gastritis. NSAIDs can irritate the gastric mucosa, leading to inflammation and, in some cases, ulceration of the stomach lining. This is particularly relevant for patients who use these medications frequently for pain management, as they may inadvertently harm their gastrointestinal health over time. The mechanism involves the inhibition of prostaglandins, which play a protective role in maintaining the gastric mucosal barrier. When NSAIDs are used excessively, this protective barrier becomes compromised, making the stomach lining more susceptible to irritation and injury, hence resulting in acute gastritis. Other options are less relevant to the definition and causes of acute gastritis. For instance, a chronic lack of dietary fiber does not directly lead to acute gastritis; instead, it is more associated with other gastrointestinal issues such as constipation or colon cancer. The barium swallow test is primarily used for evaluating swallowing disorders and structural abnormalities in the esophagus, rather than diagnosing acute gastritis. Additionally, colonoscopy is used to examine the colon and rectum rather than assess conditions affecting the stomach, making it an inappropriate choice for evaluating acute gastritis.