What precaution should family members take when visiting a client with clostridium difficile infection?

What precaution should family members take when visiting a client with clostridium difficile infection?

• A. Wear masks and face shields
• B. Wear sterile gloves and perform handwashing
• C. Wear a gown and gloves
• D. Limit visit duration to 15 minutes

Answer: (C)

When visiting a client with a Clostridium difficile infection, it is essential for family members to wear a gown and gloves. This precaution is necessary because Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, can produce spores that are resistant to many common disinfectants and can survive on surfaces for an extended period. Wearing a gown helps to protect clothing from contamination, while gloves prevent direct contact with potentially infectious material. This infection is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, often through contaminated surfaces or hands that have not been properly washed. The use of proper personal protective equipment, such as gowns and gloves, creates a barrier that reduces the risk of spreading the organism to others, including to other patients or family members. While hand hygiene is crucial and the use of soap and water is recommended after contact with the patient or the environment, the specific choice of wearing a gown and gloves directly addresses the need to minimize exposure to contaminants associated with C. diff. Other options, such as wearing masks and face shields, are more relevant in situations where respiratory pathogens are a concern, and limiting visit duration does not address the risk of transmission that protective attire does.

When visiting a client with a Clostridium difficile infection, it is essential for family members to wear a gown and gloves. This precaution is necessary because Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, can produce spores that are resistant to many common disinfectants and can survive on surfaces for an extended period. Wearing a gown helps to protect clothing from contamination, while gloves prevent direct contact with potentially infectious material.

This infection is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, often through contaminated surfaces or hands that have not been properly washed. The use of proper personal protective equipment, such as gowns and gloves, creates a barrier that reduces the risk of spreading the organism to others, including to other patients or family members.

While hand hygiene is crucial and the use of soap and water is recommended after contact with the patient or the environment, the specific choice of wearing a gown and gloves directly addresses the need to minimize exposure to contaminants associated with C. diff. Other options, such as wearing masks and face shields, are more relevant in situations where respiratory pathogens are a concern, and limiting visit duration does not address the risk of transmission that protective attire does.