Clostridium Difficile Colitis Question and Answer
Question
A client is being admitted to the health care facility with a new diagnosis of Clostridium difficile colitis. Which elements of infectious disease precautions are necessary when providing routine care for this client? Select all that apply.
- Alcohol-based sanitizers for hand cleaning
- Client in single-room (private) isolation
- Nurse using N95 respirator
- Nurse using sterile gloves
- Nurse using surgical mask
- Nurse wearing disposable gown
Clostridium Difficile Colitis Question and Answer
Answer
Correct answer
2,6
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Explanation
Clostridium difficile requires contact precautions under the guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Place the client in single-room isolation (preferred) or cohort with other C difficile-infected clients
- All surfaces within 3 feet of the bed are considered contaminated
- Personal protective equipment (gown and gloves) must be discarded before leaving the room
- Hand hygiene must be performed with soap and water
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill C difficile spores (Option 1)
- Dedicated medical equipment (stethoscope, blood pressure cuff) should remain in the room
(Option 3) For client care involving airborne precautions, a class N95 or higher grade respirator must be used in lieu of a surgical mask to avoid potential exposure to aerosolized particles. Surgical masks are rated for barrier protection for droplet splashing and filtration of large respiratory particles only.
(Option 4) Regular clean gloves (not sterile) are needed.
(Option 5) Surgical masks are rated for barrier protection from droplet-based disease transmission and provide only filtration for large respiratory particles. Masks are required during any activity with the possibility of fluids splashing (suctioning, wound care).
Clostridium Difficile Colitis Question and Answer Educational objective:
Clostridium difficile requires contact-based precautions – private isolation room preferred, disposable gown, and nitrile gloves. C difficile requires the use of soap and water, not alcohol-based hand sanitizers, to prevent transmission.