A client who is newly diagnosed with erosive esophagitis secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), reports to the home health nurse that there has been only a minimal reduction in symptoms after taking lansoprazole PO for one full week. Which action should the nurse take?

A. Notify the healthcare provider (HCP) that the client may need a change in dosage: Contacting the HCP for a dosage change after only one week of therapy is premature. PPIs like lansoprazole often require several weeks to achieve full therapeutic effect. B. Confirm that the client is taking the medication one hour after meals: Lansoprazole is most effective when taken before meals. Confirming post-meal intake may identify a timing error, but this alone would not explain minimal improvement in only one week of treatment. C. Auscultate the client's bowel sounds and measure the abdominal girth: These assessments are appropriate when evaluating for gastrointestinal motility issues, obstruction, or abdominal distention. They do not address the expected treatment timeline or medication response. D. Advise the client that healing typically takes several weeks to occur: Proton pump inhibitors require continuous use over weeks to allow adequate mucosal healing and symptom relief in erosive esophagitis. Providing reassurance about the normal timeline for improvement supports adherence and prevents premature discontinuation.