Janet was recently treated with clindamycin for an infection. She calls the advice nurse because she is having frequent diarrhea that she thinks may have blood in it. What would be the appropriate care for her?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clindamycin is known to cause pseudomembranous colitis, which can cause bloody diarrhea. Janet needs to be assessed for this potential complication and may require further treatment such as antibiotics or fecal transplantation. Encouraging increased fluids and fiber or eating yogurt would not be enough to address this issue, and starting an antidiarrheal medication may worsen the condition by slowing down the elimination of the toxins causing the diarrhea.

Janet Was Recently Treated with Clindamycin for an Infection