Crohn’s vs UC
Crohn’s disease: anywhere in the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, most often distal ilium
and proximal colon
Assessment (s/s):
Cobblestone appearance; patchy inflammation
Fever
Cramping and colicky pain after meals
Diarrhea (semisolid) may contain mucus, pus or presence of blood in the stool
Abdominal pain and distension
Malabsorption
Weight loss, anemia
Fatigue
Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting
Dehydration
Electrolyte imbalances
Ulcer colitis: disease of the colon and rectum, usually starts in the rectum and moves in a
continual fashion toward the cecum
Assessment (s/s):
ulcers & continuous inflammation appearing
intermittent fever
cramping
bloody diarrhea
severe abdominal pain
fatigue
vitamin K deficiency
Acute phase: maintain NPO status, and administer fluids and electrolyte intravenously or via IV
Parental nutrition as prescribed
• Restrict activity to reduce intestinal activity
• Monitor bowel sounds and for abdominal tenderness and cramping
• Monitor stools, noting color, consistency, and the presence or absence of blood
• Monitor for bowel perforation, peritoneal peritonitis, and hemorrhage
• Monitor daily weight, serum electrolytes, complete blood count, and vital signs
After acute phase: diet progresses from clear liquids to a low fiber diet as tolerated
• Instruct client about diet usually a low fiber diet is prescribed doing it in exacerbation
episode in addition a high protein diet w/vitamins and iron supplement is prescribed
• Instruct client to avoid gas forming foods, milk products, and foods such as whole wheat
grains, nuts, raw fruits and vegetables, pepper, alcohol, and caffeine containing products
• Instruct client to avoid smoking
• Encourage client to schedule activities around rest periods
• Administer medications as prescribed which may include a combination such as solicit
compounds, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and antidiarrheals
• Surgery may be necessary but is avoided for a long as possible because reoccurrence of the
disease process in the same region is likely to occur
Crohn’s disease: anywhere in the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, most often distal ilium
and proximal colon
Assessment (s/s):
Cobblestone appearance; patchy inflammation
Fever
Cramping and colicky pain after meals
Diarrhea (semisolid) may contain mucus, pus or presence of blood in the stool
Abdominal pain and distension
Malabsorption
Weight loss, anemia
Fatigue
Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting
Dehydration
Electrolyte imbalances
Ulcer colitis: disease of the colon and rectum, usually starts in the rectum and moves in a
continual fashion toward the cecum
Assessment (s/s):
ulcers & continuous inflammation appearing
intermittent fever
cramping
bloody diarrhea
severe abdominal pain
fatigue
vitamin K deficiency
Acute phase: maintain NPO status, and administer fluids and electrolyte intravenously or via IV
Parental nutrition as prescribed
• Restrict activity to reduce intestinal activity
• Monitor bowel sounds and for abdominal tenderness and cramping
• Monitor stools, noting color, consistency, and the presence or absence of blood
• Monitor for bowel perforation, peritoneal peritonitis, and hemorrhage
• Monitor daily weight, serum electrolytes, complete blood count, and vital signs
After acute phase: diet progresses from clear liquids to a low fiber diet as tolerated
• Instruct client about diet usually a low fiber diet is prescribed doing it in exacerbation
episode in addition a high protein diet w/vitamins and iron supplement is prescribed
• Instruct client to avoid gas forming foods, milk products, and foods such as whole wheat
grains, nuts, raw fruits and vegetables, pepper, alcohol, and caffeine containing products
• Instruct client to avoid smoking
• Encourage client to schedule activities around rest periods
• Administer medications as prescribed which may include a combination such as solicit
compounds, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and antidiarrheals
• Surgery may be necessary but is avoided for a long as possible because reoccurrence of the
disease process in the same region is likely to occur
