Which type of transmission-based precaution is used for a client with a diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection?
A Airborne precautions
B Droplet precautions
C Contact precautions
D Standard precautions
The correct answer and Explanation is :
For a client with a diagnosis of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection, the appropriate transmission-based precaution is C. Contact precautions.
Explanation:
Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and more severe intestinal conditions like colitis. It is known for producing spores that can persist on surfaces and hands for prolonged periods. The mode of transmission for C. difficile primarily involves direct or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or hands.
Contact precautions are specifically designed to prevent the spread of infections that are transmitted by direct or indirect contact. Here’s a breakdown of why Contact precautions are used:
- Mode of Transmission: C. difficile is spread through contact with surfaces contaminated with the bacterium’s spores. These spores can survive on surfaces for long periods and are not easily killed by routine cleaning agents. Therefore, proper hand hygiene and use of protective equipment are critical to prevent transmission.
- Hand Hygiene: Hand washing with soap and water is essential because alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against C. difficile spores. Hand hygiene helps to remove the spores from the hands of healthcare workers and caregivers.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Healthcare workers should use gloves and gowns when interacting with the patient or handling contaminated materials. This helps prevent the spread of spores to other areas and individuals.
- Environmental Cleaning: Enhanced cleaning protocols are necessary, including the use of disinfectants effective against C. difficile spores to clean surfaces and equipment in the patient’s environment.
- Patient Placement: Patients with C. difficile infection should be placed in a single room or cohort with other patients with the same infection to minimize the risk of spreading the infection.
Standard precautions are used for all patients, regardless of their diagnosis, but they do not specifically address the additional measures required to control infections like C. difficile that are spread through contact. Airborne precautions and droplet precautions are used for infections spread through airborne particles or respiratory droplets, respectively, which do not apply to C. difficile.
In summary, Contact precautions are essential for managing C. difficile infections due to the bacterium’s ability to spread through contaminated surfaces and hands.