Question

A nurse is planning care to decrease the risk of bowel perforation for a client who is in the acute phase of diverticulitis. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

1) Avoid use of opioid analgesics.
2) Administer an enema to rest the bowel.
3) Provide the client with a high-fiber diet.
4) Instruct the client to avoid coughing.

Answer 1

The most appropriate intervention to decrease the risk of bowel perforation in a client with acute diverticulitis is avoiding the use of opioid analgesics (Option 1).

Step-by-step explanation:

Opioids can slow down bowel motility, which might exacerbate the condition and increase the risk of complications, including perforation. While a high-fiber diet is typically recommended for diverticulitis in the chronic phase to prevent recurrence, during the acute phase, a clear liquid or low-fiber diet is often suggested to rest the bowel.

Enemas might further irritate the inflamed bowel. Instructing the client to avoid coughing is beneficial for reducing intra-abdominal pressure but isn't the primary intervention to prevent bowel perforation in acute diverticulitis.