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Diverticulitis Nursing Care Plan and Interventions
Mild diverticulitis is often treated at home with a short clear-liquid diet and pain control, while severe cases need NPO status, IV fluids and IV antibiotics. Watch for peritonitis and abscess, and after recovery teach a high-fiber diet (nuts and seeds are allowed).
Diverticulitis nursing care plan
| Nursing problem | Goal | Key interventions |
|---|---|---|
| Acute pain | Pain controlled. | |
| Infection (inflamed diverticula) | Fever and WBC trend down; no abscess or perforation. | |
| Health maintenance: needs teaching | Follows a high-fiber diet after recovery. |
Problem wording is plain-language nursing diagnosis style. Your program may require NANDA-I labels and your own assessment data.
What it is
Diverticulosis
Small pouches bulging out of the colon wall. Most people have no symptoms and need no treatment. 1,2
In the United States, most pouches form in the left (sigmoid) colon.
Diverticulitis
Inflammation of the pouches. It can stay local or spread, and a perforation can cause peritonitis. 1,2
Complicated means an abscess, fistula, obstruction or perforation is present.
Diverticulitis risk factors
Older age, low fiber, red meat, obesity, smoking and inactivity. NSAIDs, aspirin, steroids and opioids add risk. 1,2
Regular physical activity and a high-fiber diet help prevent it.
Assessment: what you will see
Diverticulitis cues
Left lower quadrant pain and tenderness, fever, nausea and sometimes vomiting. 2
Right-sided diverticulitis can mimic appendicitis, so imaging is needed.
Diagnosing diverticulitis
A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis is the main test. CRP and a CBC help judge severity and sepsis. 2
No colonoscopy during the attack: it can damage or rupture an inflamed colon.
Complications and red flags
Diverticulitis complications
Abscess, perforation, bowel obstruction and fistula. A colon to bladder fistula causes repeated UTIs or air or stool in the urine. 2
Free perforation with peritonitis needs surgery right away.
Peritonitis cues
Guarding, rebound tenderness and a rigid abdomen the client cannot relax, with fever, distention and vomiting. 1
Untreated peritonitis can progress to sepsis and septic shock.
Priority: what the nurse does first
Severe diverticulitis care
Admit for moderate to severe pain, fever or signs of sepsis. NPO if complicated, IV fluids, IV antibiotics and bed rest. 2
Clients taking prednisone are admitted too: they have a higher risk of perforation.
Nursing interventions and treatment
Mild diverticulitis care
Often treated at home: clear liquids for 2 to 3 days, then diet advanced as pain eases. Antibiotics only if needed. 2
Healthy clients with mild, uncomplicated disease often don't need antibiotics.
Pain relief in diverticulitis
Acetaminophen is preferred. NSAIDs may increase the chance of diverticulitis complications. 3
A client taking ibuprofen for LLQ pain needs teaching.
Client teaching
High-fiber diet after recovery
Once the attack is over, eat a high-fiber diet and raise fiber a little at a time. Stay active. 2,3
Avoid routine NSAIDs, aspirin and opioids to lower the chance of another attack.
Nuts and seeds are allowed
Nuts, seeds and popcorn do not cause diverticulitis. Avoiding them is no longer recommended. 3,2
A client who cut out all seeds after an attack can add them back.
NCLEX traps
Diverticular bleeding
Painless bright red or maroon rectal bleeding from diverticulosis. Diverticulitis itself rarely bleeds. 2
Most bleeding stops on its own, but any rectal bleeding needs prompt evaluation.
Keep studying diverticulitis in NurseLingo Pro
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Frequently asked questions
What are the priority nursing diagnoses for diverticulitis?
Common nursing problems for diverticulitis include acute pain; infection (inflamed diverticula); health maintenance: needs teaching. Choose the ones your assessment supports and rank airway, breathing and circulation problems first.
What does the nurse do first for diverticulitis?
Admit for moderate to severe pain, fever or signs of sepsis. NPO if complicated, IV fluids, IV antibiotics and bed rest.
What are nursing interventions for diverticulitis?
Mild cases are often treated at home with clear liquids for a few days and pain control. Severe cases need NPO status, IV fluids and IV antibiotics. Nurses watch for peritonitis (rigid abdomen, fever, rising pain) and teach a high-fiber diet after recovery.
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For study only, not medical advice. Follow your program, your facility's policies and the provider's orders.