PN Adult Medical Surgical Practice Exam

Which precaution should be taken when caring for a client with Clostridium difficile?

1. Provide the client with disposable utensils and dishes for meals.

2. Leave blood pressure equipment in the client's room.

3. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after client care.

4. Wear a face mask when in the client's room.

The correct answer is: Provide the client with disposable utensils and dishes for meals.

Providing disposable utensils and dishes for meals is a vital precaution when caring for a client with Clostridium difficile (C. diff). This infection can easily spread through spores present in fecal matter, which can contaminate surfaces and objects in the environment. Utilizing disposable items minimizes the risk of cross-contamination and helps to ensure that no contaminated utensils or dishes are reused, which could potentially transmit the infection to other patients or healthcare providers. In the context of C. diff, hand hygiene is exceptionally critical. While alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective against many pathogens, they do not effectively kill C. diff spores. Therefore, using soap and water for handwashing rather than solely relying on hand sanitizer is a more effective practice. Leaving blood pressure equipment in the client's room can lead to the possibility of transmission if the equipment is not adequately cleaned before being used on another patient. Similarly, wearing a face mask is not necessary for preventing the spread of C. diff, since its primary transmission route is via spores from the gastrointestinal tract rather than respiratory droplets. Thus, implementing disposable serviceware significantly contributes to controlling the spread of this infection.