(^298) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
- Fever with diverticulitis
- Nausea, vomiting
- Tachycardia due to fever
- Peritonitis if diverticula ruptures
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- Barium enema will show diverticula—not done if there is increased risk of
perforation. - Colonoscopy will show diverticula—not done during acute inflammation.
- CT scan will show thickening of bowel wall due to inflammation or abscess
in diverticulitis. - Elevated white blood count (WBC) during diverticulitis.
TREATMENT
- Administer antibiotics:
- ciprofloxacin
- metronidazole
- trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
- Administer adequate intravenous hydration.
- Manage pain as needed.
- NPO or clear liquids (depending on order) during acute inflammation to rest
intestinal tract. - Surgical intervention to correct perforation of diverticula, abscess formal-
tion, bowel obstruction, fistula formation. - NG tube postoperatively.
NURSING DIAGNOSES
- Acute pain
- Altered bowel elimination
- Disturbed body image