Diverticulitis

Question 1

what is diverticultiis?

Answer 1

inflammation of the bowel where bacteria, food, or fecal matter are trapped in the diverticula

Question 2

what are clinical manifestations of diverticulitis?

Answer 2

1. acute onset of abdominal pain in LLQ (VERY painful)
2. can rupture and cause peritonitis and severe bleeding
3. fever, chills, tachycardia

Question 3

what interventions can help treat diverticultiis?

Answer 3

1. monitor bowel sounds and pain

2. diagnose via colonscopy and bowel sounds are the primary assessment

Question 4

what nutrition diet should the patient with diverticultiis follow?

Answer 4

1. clear liquid diet until manifestations are gone
2. avoid seeds, nuts, popcorn because they block diverticulum
3. increase fiber, avoid alcohol, and limit fat