Question

Concept Map: Acute Diverticulitis Tim Haute, a 57 year old stockbroker, has come to the gastroenterologist for treatment of recurrent mild to severe cramping in his abdomen and blood streaked stool. You are the nurse doing his initial assessment. You findings include a mildly obese man (male pattern obesity) who demonstrates mild. guarding of his abdomen with both direct and rebound tenderness, especially in the LLO. Vital signs are 168/98, P 110, R 24. T. 98.4 and he is slightly diaphoretic. Mr. Haute states that he has periodic constipation. He has had previous episodes of abdominal cramping, but this time the pain is getting worse. PMH: Mr. Haute has a sedentary job with "many emotional moments"; he has smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for the past 30 years and has had "2-3 mixed drinks in the evening" until 2 months ago. He states, "I have not had anything to drink in 60 days." He denies regular exercise with the statement "Just no tie." His diet consists of white bread, meat, potatoes and ice cream with fruits and nuts over it. He denies a history of pulmonary or cardiac and no personal history of cancer, although his father and older brother died of colon cancer. He takes no "routine" medications and denies the use of any other drugs. 1. Identify the general health risk problems this patient exhibits. 2. Identify three (3) key findings on his physical exam and indicate their significance. The physician orders a KUB, CBC, and CMP. Based on the X-ray and lab findings, physical exam and history the physician diagnosis the patient with acute diverticulitis and discusses the outpatient treatment plan with him. 3. Differentiate between diverticulitis and diverticulosis. Revised 9/9

Answer 1

1, The patient has a sedentary lifestyle with emotional movement
Smoking, mixed drinks, a diet with white bread, meat, potatoes, ice creams
Family history of colon cancer
2, Key findings:
-Mild to severe cramping in his abdomen,
-Blood streaked stool
-Mild guarding of his abdomen with both direct and rebound tenderness in the LLQ
Significance:
BP 168/98. p110, constipation, diaphoretic, abdomen pain
3, Diverticulitis is an infection or inflammation of the intestine or wall of the colon called diverticula.
Diverticulosis is a formation of diverticula in the lining of the bowel. It is most common in the lower part of the large intestine when one or more pouches get inflamed it is called diverticulitis.