Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis NCLEX Questions

Question 1

The client diagnosed with diverticulitis is complaining of severe pain in the left lower quadrant and has an oral temperature of 100.6F. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

1. Notify the health care provider
2. Document the findings in the chart
3. Administer an oral antipyretic
4. Assess the clients abdomen

Answer 1

4. The nurse should assess the client to determine if the abdomen is soft and non tender. A rigid tender abdomen may indicate peritonitis.

Question 2

The nurse is teaching the client diagnosed with diverticulosis. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching session?

1. Discuss the importance of drinking 1,000mL of water daily
2. Instruct the client to exercise at least three times a week
3. Teach the client about a eating a low-residue diet
4. Explain the need to have daily bowel movements

Answer 2

4. The client should have regular bowel movements, preferably daily.

Question 3

The client is admitted to the medical unit with a diagnosis of acute diverticulitis. Which health care providers order should the nurse question?

1. Insert a nasogastric tube
2. Start an IV with D5W at 125 mL/hr
3. Put client on a clear liquid diet
4. Place client on bedrest with bathroom privileges

Answer 3

3. The nurse should question a clear liquid diet because the bowel must be put on total rest, which means NPO

Question 4

The nurse is discussing the therapeutic diet for the client diagnosed with diverticulosis. Which meal indicates the client understands the discharge teaching?

1. Fried fish, mashed potatoes, and iced tea
2. Ham sandwich, applesauce, and whole milk
3. Chicken salad on whole-wheat bread and water
4. Lettuce, tomato, and cucumber salad and coffee

Answer 4

3. Chicken salad, which has vegetables such as celery, grapes, and apples, and whole-wheat bread are high in fiber, which is the therapeutic diet prescribed for clients with diverticulosis. An adequate intake of water helps prevent constipation

Question 5

The client is two hours post colonoscopy. Which assessment data warrant intermediate intervention by the nurse?

1. The client has a soft, nontender abdomen
2. The client has a loose, watery stool
3. The client has hyperactive bowel sounds
4. The clients pulse is 104 and BP is 98/60.

Answer 5

4. Bowel perforation is a potential complication of a colonoscopy. Therefore, signs of hypotension- decreased BP and increased pulse- warrant immediate intervention from the nurse

Question 6

The nurse is preparing to administer the initial dose of an aminoglycoside antibiotic to the client diagnosed with acute diverticulitis. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

1. Obtain a serum trough level
2. Ask about drug allergies
3. Monitor the peak level
4. Assess the vital signs

Answer 6

2. The nurse should always ask about allergies to medication when administering medications, but especially when administering antibiotics, which are notorious for allergic reactions.

Question 7

The client diagnosed with acute diverticulitis is complaining of severe abdominal pain. On assessment, the nurse finds a hard, rigid abdomen and T 102F. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

1. Notify the healthcare provider
2. Prepare to administer a Fleets enema
3. Administer an antipyretic suppository
4. Continue to monitor the client closely

Answer 7

1. These are signs of peritonitis, which is life threatening. The health care provider should be notified immediately

Question 8

The nurse is preparing to administer 250mL of intravenous antibiotic to the client. The medication must infuse in 1 hour. An intravenous pump is not available and the nurse must administer the medication via gravity with IV tubing a 10 gtts/min. At what rate should the nurse infuse the medication?

Answer 8

42 gtts/min

Question 9

The client with acute diverticulitis has a nasogastric tube draining green liquid bile. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

1. Document the findings as normal.
2. Assess the clients bowel sounds
3. Determine the clients last bowel movement
4. Insert the N/G tube at least 2 more inches

Answer 9

1. Green bile contains hydrochloric acid and should be draining from the N/G tube; therefore, the nurse should take no action and document the findings

Question 10

The nurse is teaching a class on diverticulosis. Which interventions should the nurse discuss when teaching ways to prevent an acute exacerbation of diverticulosis? Select all that apply.

1. East a high fiber diet
2. Increase fluid intake
3. Elevate the HOB after eating
4. Walk 30 minutes a day
5. Take an antacid every 2 hours

Answer 10

1. A high-fiber diet will help to prevent constipation, which is the primary reason for diverticulitis
2. Increased fluids will help keep the stool soft and prevent constipation
3. Exercise will help prevent constipation

Question 11

The nurse is working in an outpatient clinic. Which client is most likely to have a diagnosis of diverticulosis?

1. A 60 year old male with a sedentary lifestyle
2. A 72 year old female with multiple childbirths
3. A 63 year old female with hemorrhoids
4. A 40 year old male with a family history of diverticulosis

Answer 11

3. Hemorrhoids would indicate the client has chronic constipation, which is a strong risk factor for diverticulosis. Constipation increases the intraluminal pressure in the sigmoid colon, leading to weakness in the intestinal lining, which in turn, causes outpouchings, or diverticula

Question 12

The client is admitted to the medical floor with acute diverticulitis. Which collaborative intervention should the nurse anticipate the health care provider ordering?

1. Administer total parenteral nutrition
2. Maintain NPO and nasogastric tube
3. Maintain on a high fiber diet and increase fluids
4. Obtain consent for abdominal surgery

Answer 12

2. The bowel must be put at rest. Therefore, the nurse should anticipate orders for maintaining the client NPO and a nasogastric tube