Master Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Nursing Interventions

Initially, patients will be NPO or on a clear liquid diet. This allows adequate time for the inflammation in the bowel to subside and for healing to occur. When the patient is well enough to begin eating solid foods again, a diet high in fiber is recommended. Patients may take fiber supplements if their oral fiber intake is not adequate. High fiber foods will increase the bulk of the stool making it easier to eliminate.

Patients with diverticular disease should decrease intra-abdominal pressure to reduce the risk of diverticula formation or rupture. These individuals should avoid heavy lifting, bending, vomiting, and straining with a bowel movement, if possible.

Stool softeners should be encouraged to ease passage of stool and to reduce straining with bowel movements.

Exercise is an important component of the treatment regimen, because it can promote gut motility in these patients, while also encouraging weight loss in patients who are obese.

Anticholinergic medications may be prescribed to reduce gut cramping or spasms.

Antibiotics are used to treat patients with signs of infection related to diverticulitis. Typically, antibiotics are given intravenously while in the hospital.

If a patient develops an abscess or intestinal obstruction, surgery will be performed to manage the complication. Surgery is only performed if the patient’s condition cannot be corrected or resolved by other means.