COPE Health Scholars Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the COPE Health Scholars Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Excel in your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What distance should a patient be kept upright after eating?

10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
1 hour

The correct answer is: 30 minutes

Keeping a patient upright after eating for about 30 minutes is a common recommendation, particularly for those with certain medical conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis, or after certain surgical procedures. This time frame allows food to pass more easily through the esophagus and into the stomach, reducing the risk of reflux and other digestive issues. Sitting upright aids in gravity's role in digestion, preventing the backflow of food and stomach acid into the esophagus. Maintaining an upright posture can help alleviate symptoms that may arise if the patient lies down too soon after meals. While shorter increments of time, such as 10 or 20 minutes, may provide some benefits, they may not be sufficient for more serious cases where a longer duration, like 30 minutes or even longer, can help ensure that the digestive process proceeds without complications. The duration of 1 hour is often more than necessary for general recommendations but may be advised for those with specific conditions where prolonged upright posture is beneficial.