A patient has a peptic ulcer and is taking antacids. What is the action of antacid?

Appeared in: PGIMER NO - 2020

Explanation

Antacids are basic compounds that work by chemically reacting with and neutralizing the hydrochloric acid (HCl) already present in the stomach.
This neutralization reaction forms salt and water, which raises the pH of the stomach contents.
By increasing the stomach pH, antacids provide rapid symptomatic relief from pain and heartburn associated with acid-peptic disorders.
Antacids do not prevent or reduce the production of acid; they only act on the acid that has already been secreted.

Option A: This describes the mechanism of H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), not antacids. These drugs work at the cellular level to reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces.
Option B: Increasing hydrochloric acid (HCl) would exacerbate the peptic ulcer and worsen the patient's symptoms. The goal of treatment is to reduce or neutralize acid.
Option C: This describes the mechanism of anticholinergic drugs. They block the action of acetylcholine on parietal cells, which is one of the pathways that stimulates acid secretion.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Mechanism of action of antacids to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Patient education is crucial. Nurses should advise patients to take antacids about 1-3 hours after meals and at bedtime for optimal effect, and to separate doses from other medications by at least 1-2 hours to prevent interactions.
Nurses must monitor for side effects. Aluminum and calcium-based antacids can cause constipation, while magnesium-based ones can cause diarrhea. Balancing these types can help manage bowel function.
What if the patient had chronic renal failure? In this case, magnesium-containing antacids must be avoided because the impaired kidneys cannot excrete the absorbed magnesium, leading to a risk of toxic hypermagnesemia.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'antacids' and 'action'. The question is asking for the mechanism of action of antacid drugs.
Recall the basic pharmacology of drugs used for peptic ulcers. Antacids are one of several classes, each with a distinct mechanism.
Evaluate each option based on this knowledge.
Option A (Decrease HCL secretion) is the action of PPIs/H2 blockers.
Option B (Increase HCI) is counterproductive and harmful.
Option C (Inhibits ACH) is the action of anticholinergics.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pharmacology Katzung 16e p. 1693-1695

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 3 p. 164-166

E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 2A p. 169-171

Practise the full PGIMER NO - 2020

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