NR 507 Week 5 Discussion
Case Scenario:
An 84- year-old -female who has a history of diverticular disease presents to the clinic with left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain of the abdomen that is accompanied by with constipation, nausea, vomiting and a low-grade fever (100.20 F) for 1 day.
On physical exam the patient appears unwell. She has signs of dehydration (pale mucosa, poor skin turgor with mild hypotension [90/60 mm Hg] and tachycardia [101 bpm]). The remainder of her exam is normal except for her abdomen where the NP notes a distended, round contour. Bowel sounds a faint and very hypoactive. She is tender to light palpation of the LLQ but without rebound tenderness. There is hyper-resonance of her abdomen to percussion.
Discussion Questions:
- Compare and contrast the pathophysiology between diverticular disease (diverticulosis) and
- Identify the clinical findings from the case that supports a diagnosis of acute diverticulitis.
- List 3 risk factors for acute diverticulitis.
- Discuss why antibiotics and IV fluids are indicated in this case.