Question

A patient receiving a cephalosporin develops a secondary intestinal infection caused by Clostridium difficile. What action will the provider take to provide effective care for this patient?

a. Adding an additional antibiotic to the patients regimen.
b. Discontinuing all antibiotics and providing Muld replacement
c. Discontinuing the cephalosporin and beginning metronidazole.
d. Increasing the dose of the cephalosporin and providing isolation measures.

Answer 1

The correct action for a patient with a C. difficile infection after cephalosporin use is to discontinue the cephalosporin and start metronidazole treatment, coupled with supportive therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient receiving a cephalosporin develops a secondary intestinal infection caused by Clostridium difficile, the appropriate action for the provider would be to discontinue the cephalosporin and begin treatment with metronidazole. This approach aligns with recommended medical practices for treating C. difficile infections, where the first step is often to cease the use of antibiotics that may have contributed to the overgrowth of this bacterium. Metronidazole is the preferred initial treatment for confirmed cases of C. difficile infection, unless specific contraindications such as allergy or pregnancy are present, in which case vancomycin may be used. It is important to note that increasing the dose of cephalosporin is not beneficial and could exacerbate the infection. Supportive therapy, which includes fluid and electrolyte replacement, is also crucial in managing the condition.