Which of the following is the organism that causes peptic ulcer disease?

NHM MP Staff Nurse - 2015

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: NHM MP Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa.
It produces the enzyme urease, which generates ammonia from urea, neutralizing stomach acid and allowing the bacterium to survive and thrive.
This colonization leads to chronic inflammation (gastritis), which damages the protective mucosal lining of the stomach and duodenum.
The compromised mucosal defense allows gastric acid and pepsin to erode the lining, resulting in the formation of a peptic ulcer.
Eradication of H. pylori is a key goal in treating PUD and preventing its recurrence.

Option A: Staphylococcus species are known for causing skin and soft tissue infections, food poisoning, and toxic shock syndrome, but they are not the causative agent for peptic ulcer disease.
Option B: The most clinically significant species, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, is the causative agent of diphtheria, a serious infection of the nose and throat. It is not associated with gastrointestinal diseases like PUD.
Option D: Streptococcus species are responsible for a wide range of infections, including streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), cellulitis, and rheumatic fever, but they do not cause peptic ulcers.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Etiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses play a vital role in patient education for PUD, emphasizing the importance of completing the full course of antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori and prevent recurrence, antibiotic resistance, and complications like GI bleeding or perforation.
It is crucial for nurses to instruct patients to take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) as prescribed (usually 30-60 minutes before a meal) to ensure maximum efficacy in reducing acid production, which promotes ulcer healing.
What if? If a patient with a newly diagnosed peptic ulcer has a history of taking NSAIDs daily for arthritis, the nurse should recognize this as a significant contributing factor. The priority nursing action would be to educate the patient on the risks and inquire about alternative pain management discussions with the provider, as NSAIDs impair mucosal defense and can cause or worsen ulcers, independent of H. pylori.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks for the specific microorganism that causes peptic ulcer disease (PUD).
This is a factual recall question that relies on your knowledge of common pathogens and their associated diseases.
Systematically evaluate each option:
Staphylococcus: Recall that this is primarily associated with skin infections, pneumonia, and food poisoning.
Corynebacterium: Link this genus to its most famous species, C. diphtheriae, the cause of diphtheria.
Helicobacter pylori: Recognize this as the classic, well-established cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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