Final answer:
The appropriate action for a nurse caring for a client with a positive C. difficile culture is to implement contact precautions in addition to standard precautions. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are not recommended, and treatment might include specific antibiotics like metronidazole, while fecal transplants and probiotics are considered for recurrent infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client has a positive culture for Clostridium difficile, the nurse should implement contact precautions in addition to the standard precautions to prevent the spread of this highly contagious bacterium. Standard precautions are not sufficient for C. difficile because it forms spores that are resistant to typical disinfectants and can survive on surfaces for a long time. Treating with a broad-spectrum antibiotic is not advised as it could worsen the overgrowth of C. difficile by further disrupting the normal gut fauna. In fact, stopping the use of the causative antibiotic is usually the first step, followed by administering specific antibiotics such as metronidazole or vancomycin if appropriate, based on the severity of the infection and patient factors. A fecal transplant from a healthy donor and probiotic supplementation can also be considered for recurrent cases. Encouraging a diet high in fiber or advocating for early discharge are not appropriate initial actions in the care of a patient with C. difficile infection.