Reference no: EM133445555
Question: Tommy, a 56-year-old school counselor, has come into the gastroenterologist office for recurrent mild to severe cramping in his abdomen and blood-streaked stool. Here are the findings of the initial nursing assessment upon his arrival to the clinic:
• Guarding of his abdomen with both direct and rebound tenderness, especially in the left lower quadrant (LLQ)
- BP: 168/98, HR: 110, RR: 24, Temp: 38 degrees
- Slightly diaphoretic
- He reports that he has periodic constipation.
• He reports previous episodes of abdominal pain but this time "the pain is getting worst"
Tommy's past medical history:
- A sedentary job with "lots of emotional draining moments".
• Smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for the past 20 years.
- Drinks 2-3 large cans of beer every evening until 3 months ago.
- Diet consists of white bread, meat, ice cream and nuts. He denies history of cardiac or pulmonary problems
• No personal history of cancer
- Father and older brother died of colon cancer
- Not on any medications
1. Identify 3 risk factors of Tommy based on the nursing assessment and past medical history.
2. Identify 3 key findings from the initial nursing assessment and explain their significance
3. What are 3 results we can anticipate someone with diverticulitis to demonstrate? What are the normal ranges for each of these results?
4. Explain the pathophysiology of diverticulitis.