Diverticulitis presents with which of the following symptom clusters?

• A. Abdominal distension and jaundice
• B. Inflamed small pockets, chills and fever
• C. Hemorrhage and bright red blood per rectum
• D. Severe epigastric pain radiating to back

Answer: (B)

Diverticulitis is an inflammatory/infectious process affecting diverticula in the colon. When these small pouches become inflamed, you get pain from the irritated wall plus systemic signs of infection, such as fever and sometimes chills. The description of inflamed small pockets with feverish symptoms fits this scenario best, reflecting both the localized inflammation and the body’s response.

Think of how this differs from other GI issues: abdominal distension with jaundice points toward biliary or hepatic problems; bright-red rectal bleeding suggests diverticular bleeding or hemorrhoids rather than inflammation; and severe epigastric pain radiating to the back is more typical of pancreatitis or peptic ulcer disease.