Elimination powerpoint

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.).