Disorder
Signs and Symptoms
Appendicitis
Pain: RLQ & Mc Burney’s
point, low grade fever, N&V,
Increased WBC’s
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Diet
Medications
Management
Lower GI Inflammatory Disorders
NPO for surgery
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Peritonitis
Diverticulitis
Rigid board like abdomen, high
fever, increased WBC’s,
abdominal pain or no pain,
tachycardia, hypotension, and
decreased urine output
Pain: localized LLQ, tenderness
with palpation, abdominal
guarding, constipation, fever,
elevated WBC’s, N&V, may
have rectal bleeding
NPO emergent
surgery
Perforated: mass
Can lead to peritonitis
MGT: high fiber
diet
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Antibiotics:
surgical
prophylaxis
Opoid analgesics:
Morphine
Antibiotics: broad
spectrum
Opioid analgesics:
morphine
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Exacerbation:
 Bowel rest
 IV fluids
 Assess bowel sounds and S&S of
infection and bleeding
 Monitor fluid and electrolyte imbalance
 DO NOT give barium enema to active
untreated diverticulitis
 No enemas or laxatives
Management:
 Bulk forming laxative: metamucil
Exacerbation
 Bowel rest
 IV fluids
 Assess hydration status, bowel sounds,
& stools
Management:
 Surgical Cure: total colectomy with
ileostomy
 Illeostomy or colostomy
 Chronic pain
Complications:
Megacolon
Surgical: NPO

Non-surgical
active: NPO-clear
liquids

Antibitotics:
broad spectrum
Anticholinergics
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Antibiotics
Steroids
Salicylate
Anti-diarrheals
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Antibiotics
Steriods
Salicylate
Immunomodulato
rs
Avoid: nuts &
corn
Ulcerative
Colitis
Pain: LLQ, 10-20 liquid
stools/day: contain blood,
mucus, and pus, straining,
urgency, fever, dehydration, wt
loss
Surgical: NPO
Non-surgical:
NPO-PPN &TPN
MGT: High
protein, vitamin,
caloric, and
mineral foods,
LOW fiber
Avoid: raw fruits,
veges, whole
milk, spices,
alcohol
Crohn’s
Pain: diffuse lower quadrants, 510 fatty stools/day, N&V,
malaise, & malabsorption
Surgical: NPO
Non-surgical:
NPO, PPN, TPN
MGT: low fiber,
high caloric,
supplements
(ensure)
Avoid: caffeine
and alcohol
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IV fluids
NO enemas or laxatives
Monitor S&S of infection and
worsening condition
May become EMERGENT
EMERGENT SURGERY
Nasogastric tube (NG)
Monitor I&O’s
Exacerbation
 Bowel rest
 IV fluids
 Assess bowel sounds and S&S of
infection
 Monitor fluid and electrolyte imbalance
 Monitor vitamin and folic acid
imbalance
Management:
 Surgery NOT a CURE
Complications:
 Fistulas