Diverticulitis is an inflammation and infection of the bowel caused by bacteria or fecal matter trapped in pouches in the intestine called diverticula. It is more common in older adults, males, and those with low-fiber diets and constipation. Symptoms include abdominal pain in the lower left quadrant radiating to the back along with nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. Diagnosis involves blood tests, stool samples, imaging like CT scans, and colonoscopy. Treatment ranges from antibiotics and diet changes for uncomplicated cases to IV antibiotics, fluids, and possibly surgery for perforated or abscessed areas. Complications can include bowel perforation, bleeding, infection, and obstruction if not properly treated

1. Diverticulitis
Inflammation and infection of the bowel mucosa
caused by bacteria or fecal matter trapped in one
or more diverticula (pouches in the intestine).

2. Risk Factors/ Causes
 Age (older adults)
 Sex (primarily male
 Low-Fiber diet
 Chronic constipation
 Culture (western)

3. Manifestations/Signs & Symptoms
(Subjective)
• Abdominal pain (LLQ radiating to back and tender on palpation)
• Nausea/Vomiting
(Objective)
• Fever
• Chills
• tachycardia

4. Labs/Diagnostics
• CBC
• Hemoglobin&
• Hematocrit
• WBC
• +stool occult
blood
• H&P
• Abdominal assessment
• Colonoscopy
• Barium enema
• Abdominal X-Ray
• CT scan w/ contrast

5. Medications/Treatments
Uncomplicated
• Antibiotics
• Stool softeners (bulk laxatives)
• High fiber diet
• Decrease intake of fat & red
meats
• Increase levels of physical
activity
• Colon rest (clear liquid diet)
• Increase fluid intake
Complicated
• IV antibiotics
• Opioids
• Iv fluids
• Surgery (perforation)
• Colon resection (severe case)

6. Complications
• Bowel perforation (rectal bleeding, firm abdomen, and
tachycardia)
• Bleeding (deterioration of bowel)
• Fluid and Electrolyte imbalance
• Peritonitis may occur if bowel is perforated
• Abscess formation
• Bowel obstruction

7. Interventions
• Perform abdominal assessment (distention, rigidity, and increased episodes of nausea/vomiting= signs of
obstruction)
• Assess v/s (fever, increased RR/HR, chills, diaphoresis, and increased abdominal discomfort= perforation,
abscess, or fistula)
• Maintain NPO
• Nasogastric salem-sump tube (decompression)
• Administer iv fluids
• Administer iv antibiotics
• TPN
• Assess pain (administer opioids)
• Teach client the importance of proper diet (limit seeds or indigestible material)
• Instruct client to avoid irritating the bowel (avoid alcohol)
• Provide client with instructions to promote normal bowel function

8. Resources
Group
Corina martinez
Kali Duke
Stephanie Anderson
Valerie Lopez
Theresa Schneider
Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, & Bucher. (2014). Medical Surgical Nursing (Ninth ed.). MI.
Lenox, Renner, Tallmadge, & Lunen. (n.d.). RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing (9th ed.)
(Prater, Ed.).