The nurse is caring for a patient who has cultured positive for Clostridium difficile. Which of the following nursing actions would be appropriate given this organism?
a. Instruct assistive personnel to use soap and water rather than sanitizer to clean hands.
b. Place the patient on Droplet Precautions.
c. Wear an N95 respirator when entering the patient room.
d. Teach the patient cough etiquette.
ANS: A
Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming organism that can be transmitted through direct and indirect patient contact. Because Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming organism, hand sanitizer is not effective in preventing its transmission. Hands must be washed with soap and water to prevent transmission. This organism is not transmitted via the droplet route; therefore Droplet Precautions are not needed. An N95 respirator is used primarily for patients with airborne illness. All patients should be taught cough etiquette; this action is not one to be take especially because the patient has Clostridium difficile.
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