Pantoprazole is prescribed for a patient with Addison's disease to achieve what pharmacologic effect?

• A. Pantoprazole increases the client's ability to digest food.
• B. Pantoprazole decreases the amount of gastric acid.
• C. Pantoprazole absorbs gastric acid and eliminates it in the bowel.
• D. Pantoprazole coats the stomach and prevents ulcer formation.

Answer: (B)

Pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, works by blocking the final step of gastric acid secretion in the stomach. It irreversibly inhibits the H+/K+ ATPase (the proton pump) on parietal cells, so less acid is produced and the gastric pH rises. This reduction in acid helps prevent or heal ulcers and gastritis by decreasing mucosal exposure to acid, which is the goal in conditions that threaten the stomach lining. It doesn’t increase digestion, it doesn’t absorb and eliminate acid in the bowel, and it doesn’t coat the stomach lining. So the pharmacologic effect achieved is a decrease in gastric acid production.