A nurse is planning care for a client who has Clostridium difficile gastroenteritis. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing action?
A.
Place the client in a protective environment.
B.
Clean surfaces with chlorhexidine.
C.
Wash hands with alcohol-based hand rub.
D.
Obtain a stool specimen with gloves.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Obtain a stool specimen with gloves.
Explanation:
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) gastroenteritis is an infection caused by the bacterium C. difficile, which is known to cause severe diarrhea and colitis. This infection is often associated with antibiotic use and can spread easily in healthcare settings. Proper infection control measures are essential to prevent its spread and manage the condition effectively. Here’s why option D is the appropriate nursing action:
- Use of Gloves for Stool Specimen Collection:
- When dealing with C. difficile, healthcare workers must use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves to avoid direct contact with potentially infectious materials, including stool. This practice minimizes the risk of spreading the infection to other patients and surfaces. Gloves should be worn while handling stool specimens, and proper hand hygiene should be performed after glove removal.
- Infection Control Measures:
- Placing the Client in a Protective Environment (Option A): This is not appropriate for C. difficile infection. Protective environments are typically used for immunocompromised patients to protect them from infections, not for patients with C. difficile. Instead, patients with C. difficile should be in a private room with dedicated toilet facilities if possible.
- Cleaning Surfaces with Chlorhexidine (Option B): While chlorhexidine is an effective antiseptic for skin disinfection, it is not recommended for cleaning surfaces contaminated with C. difficile. The bacterium is resistant to many disinfectants, so surfaces should be cleaned with a bleach solution (sodium hypochlorite) or another approved disinfectant effective against C. difficile spores.
- Washing Hands with Alcohol-Based Hand Rub (Option C): Alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective against C. difficile spores. Hand hygiene for C. difficile infections should involve washing hands with soap and water, as this method physically removes spores from the hands, whereas alcohol-based rubs do not.
In summary, obtaining a stool specimen with gloves is a crucial step in managing and preventing the spread of C. difficile infection. Adhering to strict infection control practices, including proper use of PPE and effective surface disinfection, is essential in controlling the spread of this infection.