A major causative organism for peptic ulcer is?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

Explanation

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that is the main cause of peptic ulcer disease.
It survives in the stomach by producing urease, an enzyme that neutralizes stomach acid but also damages the protective mucosal lining.
This damage leads to inflammation (gastritis) and allows stomach acid to create an ulcer in the stomach or duodenum.
Studies show H. pylori is present in about 90% of patients with duodenal ulcers and 70% of those with gastric ulcers.

Option A: Escherichia coli is a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and gastroenteritis (diarrhea), not peptic ulcers.
Option B: Streptococci bacteria are primarily associated with respiratory infections like strep throat (pharyngitis), pneumonia, and skin infections like cellulitis.
Option C: Staphylococcus bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, are known for causing skin infections (boils, abscesses), food poisoning, and more serious conditions like sepsis, but not peptic ulcers.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Etiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in educating patients about peptic ulcer disease, including the importance of completing the full course of antibiotic therapy to eradicate H. pylori and prevent recurrence.
It is crucial to assess patients for risk factors like NSAID use, as this is the second most common cause of peptic ulcers, especially in H. pylori-negative patients.
What if? If a patient's ulcer symptoms persist after initial triple therapy, it may indicate antibiotic resistance. The nurse should anticipate that the provider will order further testing and prescribe a different combination of antibiotics (rescue therapy).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: "causative organism" and "peptic ulcer". This is a factual recall question asking for the primary pathogen responsible for a specific disease.
Mentally review the common pathogens and the diseases they cause.
Evaluate each option. Think about the primary infections associated with E. coli (UTI, diarrhea), Streptococci (throat/skin infections), and Staphylococcus (skin infections/food poisoning).
Recall or deduce that Helicobacter pylori is uniquely associated with gastrointestinal conditions affecting the stomach lining.
Eliminate the other options as they are linked to different organ systems or types of infection, confirming H. pylori as the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 818-820

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 88-90

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 423-425

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.