Week 5 - Diverticular Disease Flashcards
1
Q
what is a diverticulum
A
- an outpouching of the mucosa thru the circular sm. m of the intestinal wall
2
Q
what are diverticula found?
A
- can occur at any point in the GI tract
- most commonly found in sigmoid colon
3
Q
what are the 2 forms of diverticular disease
A
- diverticulosis
2. diverticulitis
4
Q
what is diverticiulosis
A
- prescence of multiple noninflamed diverticula
5
Q
what is diverticulitis
A
- inflammation of the diverticula
6
Q
what can contribute to the cause of diverticular disease (1)
A
- deficiency in dietary fiber
7
Q
what causes diverticulitis
A
- retention of stool and bacteria in the diverticulum
8
Q
what does the retention of stool in the outpouching in diverticulitis cause
A
- a fecalith (hardened mass)
9
Q
what does diverticulitis lead to (5)
A
- inflammation spreads to surround tissues
- edema
- abscesses
- perforations
- peritonitis
10
Q
what are symptoms of diverticulosis (3)
A
- often asymptomatic
- crampy abdominal pain in LLQ that is relieved by passing gas or a BM
- alternating constipation and diarrhea
11
Q
what are symptoms of diverticulitis (7)
A
- abdominal pain localized over the involved area of the colon
- tender LLQ mass felt on palpation
- fever
- chills
- nausea
- anorexia
- elevated WBC
12
Q
what are complications of diverticulitis (6)
A
- perforation w peritonitis
- abscess
- fistula formation
- bowel obstruction (d/t inflammation and scarring)
- ureteral obstruction
- bleeding
13
Q
what can be used to diagnose diverticular disease (6)
A
- CT scan w oral contrast
- CBC
- urinalysis
- FOBT
- barium enema (determine narrowing or obstruction of colonic lumen)
- colonoscopy
14
Q
a pt with acute diverticulitis should not have…
A
- barium enema d/t or colonoscopy d/t risk of perforation and peritonitis
15
Q
how is diverticular disease treated (6)
A
- high fiber diet
- rest the bowel –> NPO with IV fluid
- observe for signs of peritonitis
- broad spectrum ab
- signs of infection (temp, WBC)
- possible surgery
