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6 Peritonitis Nursing Care Plans

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By Matt Vera, BSN, R.N.
Peritonitis Nursing Care Plans
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Peritonitis is the acute or chronic inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the visceral organs. Inflammation may extend throughout the peritoneum or may be localized as an abscess. Peritonitis commonly decreases intestinal motility and causes intestinal distention with gas. mortality is 10% with death usually a result of bowel obstruction.

The peritoneum is sterile, despite the GI tract normally contains bacteria. When bacteria invade the peritoneum due to an inflammation or perforation of the GI tract peritonitis usually occurs. Bacterial invasion usually results from appendicitis, diverticulitis, peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, volvulus, abdominal neoplasms, or a stab wound. It may also be associated with peritoneal dialysis.

Nursing Care Plans

Early treatment of GI inflammation conditions and preoperative and postoperative therapy help prevent peritonitis. Patient care includes monitoring and measures to prevent complications and the spread of infection.

Here are six (6) nursing care plans (NCP) and nursing diagnosis for patients with peritonitis:

  1. Risk for Infection
  2. Deficient Fluid Volume
  3. Acute Pain
  4. Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
  5. Anxiety/Fear
  6. Deficient Knowledge
  7. Other Possible Nursing Care Plans

6. Deficient Knowledge

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Deficient Knowledge

Nursing Diagnosis

May be related to

  • Lack of exposure/recall
  • Information misinterpretation
  • Unfamiliarity with information resources

Possibly evidenced by

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  • Questioning; request for information
  • Statement of misconception
  • Inaccurate follow-through of instruction

Desired Outcomes

  • Verbalize understanding of disease process and potential complications.
  • Identify relationship of signs/symptoms to the disease process and correlate symptoms with causative factors.
  • Verbalize understanding of therapeutic needs.
  • Correctly perform necessary procedures and explain reasons for actions.
Nursing InterventionsRationale
Review underlying disease process and recovery expectations.Provides knowledge base from which patient can make informed choices.
Identify signs and symptoms requiring medical evaluation: recurrent abdominal pain and distension, vomiting, fever, chills, or presence of purulent drainage, swelling, erythema of surgical incision (if present).Early recognition and treatment of developing complications may prevent more serious illness and injury.
Discuss medication regimen, schedule, and possible side effects.Antibiotics may be continued after discharge, depending on length of stay.
Recommend gradual resumption of usual activities as tolerated, allowing for adequate rest.Prevents fatigue, enhances feeling of well-being.
Review activity restrictions or limitations: avoid heavy lifting, constipation.Avoids unnecessary increase of intra-abdominal pressure and muscle tension.
Demonstrate aseptic dressing change, wound care.Reduces risk of contamination. Provides opportunity to evaluate healing process.
Emphasize importance of medical follow-up.Necessary to monitor resolution of infection and resumption of usual activities.
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6. Deficient Knowledge

Recommended Resources

Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.

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See also

Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:

More nursing care plans related to gastrointestinal disorders:

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Matt Vera, BSN, R.N.
Matt Vera is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing since 2009 and is currently working as a full-time writer and editor for Nurseslabs. During his time as a student, he knows how frustrating it is to cram on difficult nursing topics. Finding help online is nearly impossible. His situation drove his passion for helping student nurses by creating content and lectures that are easy to digest. Knowing how valuable nurses are in delivering quality healthcare but limited in number, he wants to educate and inspire nursing students. As a nurse educator since 2010, his goal in Nurseslabs is to simplify the learning process, break down complicated topics, help motivate learners, and look for unique ways of assisting students in mastering core nursing concepts effectively.

  • Thanks Matt Vera for the good work may you continue helping me with such good information since I’m also a nursing student who is almost graduating.

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