Five Days After Admission to the Hospital for Treatment of Community-Acquired

Five days after admission to the hospital for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, a 76-year-old man develops watery diarrhea and cramping lower abdominal pain. Today, he has had three episodes of foul-smelling, nonbloody diarrhea without nausea or vomiting. He has hypertension and hyperlipidemia. His medications include lisinopril, atorvastatin, cefotaxime, and clarithromycin. His temperature is 37.5°C (99.5°F) , pulse is 95/min, respirations are 16/min, and blood pressure is 140/85 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 97%. Crackles are heard over the right lower lung base. Abdominal examination shows mild tenderness throughout the lower quadrants. Leukocyte count is 13,000/mm3. Stool analysis is pending. In addition to appropriate hand hygiene, which of the following equipment is necessary before examining this patient?

A) Facemask, non-sterile gloves, and gown
B) Respirator, sterile gloves, and gown
C) Nonsterile gloves and gown
D) Nonsterile gloves only
E) Sterile gloves and gown
F) Sterile gloves only