Final answer:
Diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis can be made from subjective symptoms and all options listed: physical examination, laboratory tests, and endoscopy. Detection of C. difficile toxin in stool samples is essential for diagnosis. Treatment often includes antibiotics like metronidazole or tinidazole.
Step-by-step explanation:
The diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis can be made from subjective symptoms and all of the above: physical examination, laboratory tests, and endoscopy. This condition is often associated with the bacterium Clostridium difficile, which can colonize the mucous membrane of the colon when normal microbiota are disrupted. The toxins TcdA and TcdB from the bacteria trigger an immune response, contributing to the formation of a pseudomembrane.
Physical examination may reveal symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea. Laboratory tests, such as stool examinations, and more specifically, the detection of C. difficile toxin in stool samples by PCR or ELISA, are used for diagnosis. Direct examination of fecal specimens is often performed on multiple days to increase the likelihood of detecting the pathogen. Finally, endoscopy may be used to directly visualize the pseudomembranes in the colon.
The first line of treatment typically involves antibiotics such as metronidazole or tinidazole, with additional medications to eliminate remaining cysts.