A nurse is planning care for a client who has diverticulitis.
The nurse should plan to monitor the client for which of the following complications of diverticulitis?

Choice A rationale:

Dysphagia is a difficulty or discomfort with swallowing and is not a complication of diverticulitis. Diverticulitis typically involves inflammation or infection of diverticula in the colon and may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits, but dysphagia is not a characteristic feature.

Choice B rationale:

Ulcerative colitis is a distinct inflammatory bowel disease and is not a complication of diverticulitis. These conditions have different causes and affect different parts of the digestive tract. While both conditions can cause abdominal discomfort, they are not directly related.

Choice C rationale:

Peritonitis is a potential complication of diverticulitis. When diverticula become infected and rupture, they can spill their contents into the abdominal cavity, leading to peritonitis, which is an inflammation of the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity). This condition can be life-threatening and requires prompt medical intervention.

Choice D rationale:

Crohn's disease is a separate inflammatory bowel disease and is not a complication of diverticulitis. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, whereas diverticulitis typically occurs in the colon. They have distinct clinical features and treatment approaches. .

Choice A rationale:

Health education involves providing information and knowledge to clients to help them make informed decisions about their health. It focuses on teaching individuals about health-related topics. In this scenario, the nurse is not engaged in health education but rather in blood pressure screening, which is a form of health assessment and monitoring.

Choice B rationale:

Health promotion involves activities that encourage and empower individuals to take control of their health and well-being. It aims to enhance the overall health of the population. While blood pressure screening is a preventive measure, it does not encompass the broader concept of health promotion. It is more specific to early detection and monitoring of health conditions.

Choice C rationale:

Holistic health refers to an approach that considers the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of an individual's well-being. It recognizes the interconnectedness of these aspects and seeks to address them in a comprehensive manner. Performing a blood pressure screening, while important, is a specific health assessment task and does not fully encompass the holistic health approach.

Choice D rationale:

Disease prevention involves activities and measures taken to reduce the occurrence and impact of specific diseases. In this scenario, the nurse is performing a blood pressure screening for a client with a family history of hypertension. This screening is a preventive measure aimed at detecting and preventing the development of hypertension, which falls under the category of disease prevention. By identifying clients at risk, healthcare providers can intervene early and implement strategies to prevent or manage the condition. .