Safe, Effective Care Environment
22. Following antibiotic therapy, a client develops bloody diarrhea. A nurse suspects Clostridium difficile, which often occurs when antibiotics disrupt the normal intestinal flora and injure the lumen of the bowel. Control of this infection will include:
Select all that apply.
. Nurse wearing mask at all times.
. Hand hygiene and wearing gloves.
. Keeping client's room door closed.
. Cleaning over-the-bed table and side rails daily.
. Drug treatment with metronidazole (Flagyl).
Test-Taking Tip
Know that C. difficile is transmitted by direct contact with infected clients.
Content Area: Adult Health, Infectious Disease; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Planning; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Safe and Effective Care Environment/Safety and Infection Control/Standard/Transmission-based/Other Precautions
Safe, Effective Care Environment
. . .
Answer 1 is incorrect because the bacterium is not spread by air or droplets. Answer 2 is correct because the bacterium can be spread on the hands of health care providers. Answer 3 is incorrect because the bacterium is not airborne. Answer 4 is correct because C. difficile is relatively resistant to disinfectants. Therefore, items that are close to the client should be cleaned daily with a bleach-and-water solution. Answer 5 is correct because metronidazole and vancomycin are the drugs of choice.