A client has nausea, abdominal cramping, and persistent mucus-like, watery diarrhea that is positive for Clostridium difficile. The nurse anticipates the client will be prescribed which medication to treat this condition?

Question

A client has nausea, abdominal cramping, and persistent mucus-like, watery diarrhea that is positive for Clostridium difficile.  The nurse anticipates the client will be prescribed which medication to treat this condition?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

C difficile is often associated with antibiotic therapy but can also be a nosocomial hospital-acquired infection. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum, reduce normal bacteria in the body. This allows other bacteria, such as C difficile, to take over and cause a superinfection. It grows in the intestinal tract and causes antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Metronidazole (Flagyl) is an anti-infective drug commonly used to treat C difficile. For severe C difficile infection, oral vancomycin may be used; intravenous vancomycin is ineffective. (Option A) Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) is a cephalosporin antibiotic; its use could cause C difficile infection. (Option B) Fluconazole (Diflucan) is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent; it is not indicated to treat C difficile. (Option D) Pantoprazole (Protonix) is a proton pump inhibitor agent; its use has been associated with development of C difficile infection. Educational objective: Antibiotics reduce normal bacteria in the body, allowing other bacteria or fungi, such as C difficile, to take over. C difficile is a toxin-producing microorganism that grows in the intestinal tract and causes antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Metronidazole (Flagyl) and oral vancomycin are commonly used to treat this condition.

A Client Has Nausea, Abdominal Cramping, and Persistent Mucus-Like, Watery