Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease

1. What are the differences between Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease? Give at least
3.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Both
conditions affect the bowel but in slightly different ways.

Ulcerative Colitis VS Crohn’s Disease

Limited to large intestine/colon
Inflamed areas are continuing without patches
Pain is in the lower left abdomen
Ulcers penetrate the inner lining of the abdomen
thus bloody stools are common
Occur anywhere in the GI tract
Patches of inflammation found in large
secretions of the bowel
Pain is in the lower right abdomen
Ulcers penetrate the entire thickness (several)
layers of the abdominal lining thus severe
diarrhea is common

2. Give at least 2 diagnostic studies that will confirm each diagnosis.

For Crohn’s disease, there are two types of endoscopy, as follows:

 Colonoscopy: The flexible tube, known as an endoscope, is inserted through the anus to
examine the colon.
 Upper endoscopy: The flexible tube is inserted through the mouth, down the esophagus,
into the stomach, and into the first part of the small intestine.

By contrast, ulcerative colitis involves the endoscope insertion through the anus only. The two
types are:

 Sigmoidoscopy: It allows the doctor to examine the rectum and lower colon for the extent
and degree of inflammation in those areas.
 Total colonoscopy: This occurs when the doctor examines the entire colon.

3. Give at least two (2) Complete Nursing Diagnoses using CPU format using PES
(actual nursing diagnosis) or PE (Risk nursing diagnosis) format.

For Ulcerative Colitis:

 Diarrhea r/t Inflammation of the lining of the colon as evidenced by Bloody stools (bright
red, maroon, or black stools)
  Acute Pain r/t Inflammation of the intestines as evidenced by Reports of abdominal
cramping

For Crohn’s Disease:

 Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than body requirements r/t Malabsorption of nutrients as

evidenced by Significant weight loss
 Diarrhea r/t Inflammation of the GI tract as evidenced by Loose or watery stools

4. References must be in APA format.

 Department of Health & Human Services. (1999, May 18). Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis. Better Health Channel. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/crohns-disease-and-
ulcerative-colitis
 MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Crohn's disease versus ulcerative colitis: What is the
difference? Medical News Today. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317792#Differences-in-treatment
 Wagner M. (2023, February 24)). Crohn's disease nursing diagnosis & care plan.
NurseTogether. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.nursetogether.com/crohns-
disease-nursing-diagnosis-care-plan/
 Wagner M. (2023, February 24). Ulcerative colitis nursing diagnosis & care plan.
Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.nursetogether.com/ulcerative-colitis-nursing-
diagnosis-care-plan/