An elderly patient is admitted with an acute onset of diverticulitis, and intravenous antibiotic therapy is started. What should the nurse do next?

Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection of the pouches formed in the colon. During an acute onset of diverticulitis, it’s important to rest the bowel to allow for healing. Therefore, maintaining the patient’s NPO (nothing by mouth) status would be the appropriate next step.