Complications of Diverticulitis

In this nursing question, we are asked to identify a specific complication a nurse should monitor for in a client who has diverticulitis.

First, let's understand what diverticulitis is. It is the inflammation or infection of small pouches that can form in your digestive tract, most commonly in the large intestine.

One of the most serious and life-threatening complications of diverticulitis is peritonitis. This occurs if an inflamed diverticulum ruptures, spilling intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity.

Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal wall. Let's look at the classic symptoms a nurse must monitor for.