Question

A client who has a diagnosis of Clostridium difficile is placed on contact precautions. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Use only standard precautions when entering the room.
B) Wear a mask and gown when providing care.
C) Limit visitors to family members only.
D) Share the patient's bathroom with other clients.

Answer 1

Wear a mask and gown when providing care.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client has a diagnosis of Clostridium difficile, the nurse should take the following action:

B) Wear a mask and gown when providing care.

Wearing a mask and gown is part of contact precautions, which are necessary to prevent the spread of the bacteria. Clostridium difficile is highly contagious and can be easily transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) helps to minimize the risk of spread and protects both the nurse and the client.

Answer 2

The correct action for a nurse caring for a client with Clostridium difficile is to wear a gown and gloves when providing care, which aligns with contact precautions for this diagnosis (option B).

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a client with a diagnosis of Clostridium difficile, the nurse should wear a gown and gloves when providing care, since the spores are not killed by hand sanitizer, and proper hand hygiene with soap and water is necessary after the encounter. Considering the options provided:

• A) Incorrect, because standard precautions are not sufficient for C. difficile which requires contact precautions due to its ease of spreading and environmental persistence.
• B) Correct, as wearing a mask may not be necessary unless there are procedures that can generate splashes or sprays of infectious material. A gown and gloves are essential as per contact precautions.
• C) Restricting visitors to family members only is not typically required unless the facility has a policy due to an outbreak or another valid reason.
• D) Incorrect, sharing bathrooms among clients can spread the infection, as C. difficile can reside on surfaces and is known to persist in the environment.

Therefore, the correct action the nurse should take is B) Wear a mask and gown when providing care.