Hydrogen Breath Testing in Adults.pdf

VOLUME 32 | NUMBER 1 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2009 19 Hydrogen Breath Testing in Adults What Is It and Why Is It Performed? Deborah A. Lindberg, MBA, BSN, RN-BC Received January 28, 2008; accepted March 25, 2008. About the author: Deborah A. Lindberg, MBA, BSN, RN-BC, is Nurse Manager, Gastroenterology Hepatology Clinic, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire. Correspondence to: Deborah A. Lindberg, MBA, BSN, RN-BC, Gastroenterology Hepatology Clinic, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756 (deborah.a.lindberg@). A31-year-old Caucasian woman has had symp-toms of abdominal bloating, diarrhea, andflatulence for the past 18 months. She reducedthe amount of gas-producing vegetables in her diet 2 months ago, but this has not been effective in relieving her symptoms, according to her report. Her medical history is notable for hypothyroidism and recently diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Her surgical history is notable for appendectomy. Her medications include levothyroxine, a daily multivitamin, a calcium supplement, and occasional cyclobenzaprine for migraine-type headaches. Abdominal distension and bloating, diarrhea, and excess flatulence are common, nonspecific symptoms associated with multiple medical conditions. It is esti- mated that nearly 12% of general practitioner office visits and almost 30% of referrals to a gastroenterology specialist in the Western world are centered on addressing these symptoms (Rosemore Lacy, 2002). A careful history, a thorough physical examination, and diagnostic testing are frequently required to accu- rately diagnose the disorder and initiate an appropriate treatment plan. The patient’s primary care physician orders a hydro- gen breath test. This patient calls your office and asks you for more information about the test and what types of disorders it might identify. How prepared are you, as a nurse, to explain this test to her? What Is a Hydrogen Breath Test? Hydrogen breath testing is a simple,