A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted with a confirmed Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. Which of the following infection control interventions should the nurse implement? Select all that apply.
- Wash hands with soap and water upon exiting the client's room.Answer
- Don a clean gown and gloves prior to entering the client's room.Answer
- CUse an alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after removing gloves.
- DPlace the client in a negative-pressure isolation room.
- Dedicate reusable medical equipment, such as a blood pressure cuff, to this client.Answer
- FWear an N95 particulate respirator when providing direct care.
Answer
The nurse should wash hands with soap and water upon exiting, don a gown and gloves prior to entering, and dedicate reusable medical equipment to the client.
Clostridioides difficile is a spore-forming bacterium that requires strict contact precautions. Proper protocol includes donning a clean gown and gloves before entering the room to prevent the spread of the pathogen. Hand hygiene must be performed using soap and water rather than alcohol-based sanitizers, as alcohol does not destroy the bacterial spores. Additionally, to prevent cross-contamination, the nurse must dedicate reusable medical equipment exclusively to the client.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Contact precautions and enteric hand hygiene protocols for spore-forming organisms.