American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

Which treatment is appropriate for a patient diagnosed with C. diff diarrhea?

1. Increase dietary fiber

2. Start oral vancomycin

3. Administer probiotics

4. Use broad-spectrum antibiotics

The correct answer is: Start oral vancomycin

The most appropriate treatment for a patient diagnosed with Clostridium difficile (C. diff) diarrhea is to start oral vancomycin. This antibiotic is specifically indicated for C. diff infections as it effectively targets the bacteria responsible for the condition. Oral vancomycin acts locally in the intestines, killing the harmful bacteria while minimizing systemic absorption, which is essential in managing C. diff infections. Increasing dietary fiber may not be beneficial during active C. diff infections, as the digestive tract is already compromised. Probiotics can help restore gut flora in non-infectious diarrhea but are not considered a first-line treatment for C. diff infections due to the severity and specific nature of the illness. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are generally contraindicated in this case because they can lead to a disruption in gut flora and may worsen the condition or lead to further complications. Thus, oral vancomycin is recognized as a standard treatment due to its efficacy in specifically targeting the C. diff bacteria, making it the correct choice in this scenario.