Diverticulitis is an inflammatory bowel disorder that affects millions of people. The condition is often aggravated by inadequate diet and can be quite painful for patients, possibly leading to hemorrhage or peritonitis. A nursing care plan for diverticulitis includes managing pain and monitoring the patient for further complications. Educating the patient will also help reduce the patient's risk of further discomfort or complications.
Regular Assessment
A nursing care plan for acute diverticulitis reinforces the need to regularly assess the patient for complication. Complications can include hemorrhage, bowel obstruction and abscess formation. Bowel sounds should be assessed at least every eight hours, although some doctors may order bowel sounds to be assessed every two to four hours depending on the severity of the diverticulitis flareup. The nursing care plan should also mention assessment of abdominal distention and vital sign baselines.
Pain Management
Diverticulitis can cause acute pain that usually presents on the left side of the abdomen. One goal of the nursing care plan is to make sure the patient is comfortable and free of pain. The physician will usually prescribe a mild analgesic and nurses should administer the medication as indicated on the medication administration record. Positioning and repositioning the patient properly can also help relieve pain. The most commonly used positioning is the semi-Fowler's position, in which the patient's head is raised to a 30 to 45-degree angle, but a nursing care plan may include other positioning that will help relax the abdomen.
Patient Education
The most important part of the nursing care plan for a diverticulitis patient is education. The goal of patient teaching is to inform the patient of what exacerbates diverticulitis and properly manage it on their own. The patient-education portion of the care plan stresses the importance of adequate fiber intake during non-acute phases, adequate water intake and foods that are contraindicated for diverticulitis.
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