Medical management of the client with diverticulitis should include which of the following treatments?
A. Reduced fluid intake.
B. Increased fiber in the diet.
C. Administration of antibiotics.
D. Exercises to increase intra-abdominal pressure.
Correct Answer: C. Administration of antibiotics.
Antibiotics are used to reduce inflammation. The most common regimen used in the United States consists of quinolones (ciprofloxacin) or sulfa drugs (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) in combination with metronidazole (or clindamycin, if the patient is intolerant to metronidazole) or single-agent amoxicillin-clavulanate for 7 to 10 days.
Option A: The client isn’t typically isn’t allowed anything orally until the acute episode subsides. Parenteral fluids are given until the client feels better. It is recommended that the client drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Bowel rest is preferred in patients requiring inpatient admission. Typically, defervescence and improvement in leukocytosis should be observed for two to four days of hospitalization, if not an alternative diagnosis or complications should be suspected.
Option B: Gradually increase fiber in the diet to improve intestinal motility. The patient should start a high-fiber diet, drink ample water, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise. Fiber softens and adds bulk to stools, helping them pass more easily through the colon. It also reduces pressure in the digestive tract.
Option D: During the acute phase, activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure should be avoided to decrease pain and the chance of intestinal obstruction. An attack of diverticulitis without complications may respond to antibiotics within a few days if treated early. To help the colon rest, the doctor may recommend bed rest and a liquid diet, along with a pain reliever. An acute attack with severe pain or severe infection may require a hospital stay.
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