NR507 PRACTICE QUESTION AND ANSWERS 100% CORRECT 2024

1. Compare and contrast the pathophysiology between diverticular disease (diverticulosis) and diverticulitis. Diverticulosis is an asymptomatic diverticular disease that is described by the presence of sac-like protrusions, called diverticula (McCance & Huether, 2019). Diverticula are inflamed saccular herniations of the mucosa and submucosa through the tunica muscularis of the colon (McCance & Huether, 2019). Moreover, the diverticula form at weak points in the colon wall. The weak points in the colon wall are where arteries penetrate the tunica muscularis to nourish the mucosal layer (McCance & Huether, 2019). However, diverticulitis is the most common complication of diverticulosis, which occurs in about 10% to 25% of patients (Rezapour et al., 2018). Inflammation of the diverticula will lead to diverticulitis. The pathophysiology of diverticulitis is the obstruction of the diverticulum sac by fecalith, which by irritation of the mucosa causes low-grade inflammation, congestion, and further obstruction (Rezapour et al., 2018). 2. Identify the clinical findings from the case that supports a diagnosis of acute diverticulitis. The clinical findings from the case that support a diagnosis of acute diverticulitis include, subjective findings from the patient complaining of LLQ pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever (100.2 F). Objective findings show positive of occult blood test, physical exam show a round contour distended abdomen, tenderness to light