Which of the following symptoms is associated with diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection of small pouches that can form in the walls of the digestive system, primarily in the colon. The symptoms associated with diverticulitis often include abdominal pain, particularly in the left lower quadrant (LLQ), due to the location of the sigmoid colon where these pouches are most commonly found.

In cases of diverticulitis, individuals typically experience sharp, colicky pain in the LLQ as the inflamed pouches can cause spasms in the intestinal muscles. This type of pain can be intermittent, intensifying with movement or certain activities, which aligns with the characteristics described in the correct answer.

The other options reflect symptoms that are not typically associated with diverticulitis. Right lower quadrant pain is more suggestive of appendicitis or other conditions affecting the right side of the abdomen. Shortness of breath and chest tightness are symptoms usually linked to respiratory or cardiovascular issues rather than gastrointestinal problems like diverticulitis. Thus, the identified symptom of LLQ sharp colicky pain accurately reflects the common presentation of diverticulitis.