Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

What finding might support a diagnosis of diverticulitis in a patient?

1. High fasting glucose

2. Low blood pressure

3. Depressed bowel sounds

4. Tarry stools

The correct answer is: Depressed bowel sounds

A finding of depressed bowel sounds can support a diagnosis of diverticulitis because diverticulitis often involves inflammation or infection of the diverticula in the colon, which can lead to altered intestinal motility. When there is inflammation present, the bowel may become less active due to irritation, leading to diminished or absent bowel sounds upon auscultation. In cases of diverticulitis, the inflammation can also cause complications such as obstruction, which would further contribute to changes in bowel sounds. In contrast, other findings such as high fasting glucose and low blood pressure are not specifically associated with diverticulitis but may indicate other underlying conditions (e.g., diabetes or shock). Tarry stools may suggest gastrointestinal bleeding, which could occur in various gastrointestinal conditions but is not a direct indicator of diverticulitis itself. Thus, depressed bowel sounds are the most indicative sign related specifically to the inflammatory process associated with diverticulitis.