Reference no: EM133494246
Question 1: Compare and contrast the pathophysiology between diverticular disease (diverticulosis) and diverticulitis.
Diverticulosis is when small, bulging pouches called diverticula develop in the lining of the intestines where Diverticulitis occurs when the diverticula become inflamed or infected (Tresca, 2023). The main difference between the two is that Diverticulosis usually is asymptomatic and usually doesn't cause pain, whereas Diverticulitis can have many symptoms like persistent abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Diverticulosis can be considered a normal part of aging. As people get older the wall of the colon weakens causing pouches to form (Diverticula). These Diverticula are thought to become infected by fecal bacteria or caused by inflammation and that is when it turns into Diverticulitis.
Question 2: Identify the clinical findings from the case that supports a diagnosis of acute diverticulitis. ?
The clinical findings that support the diagnosis of Diverticulitis are left lower abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting and a?low-grade?fever (100.20?F) for 1 day, and positive for occult blood.
Question 3: List 3 risk factors for acute diverticulitis.
• Smoking
• Obesity
• 40 years or older
Question 4: Discuss why antibiotics and IV fluids are indicated in this case.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Diverticulitis is treated based on severity. In this scenario the patient has a severe case of Diverticulitis, therefore IV antibiotics and IV fluids are recommended. Antibiotics are indicated to treat infection, and IV fluids as well as a liquid diet for a few days while your bowel heals. Once your symptoms improve, you can gradually add solid food to your diet (Diverticulitis 2022). In addition to needing to give the gut a rest, the patient was showing signs of dehydration. He was hypotensive, tachycardic, and had poor skin turgor and pallor mucosa.