Ace the 2025 Family Nurse Practitioner Exam – Heal, Hustle, and Shine!

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.