The main source of C. difficile spores, excreted through the colon
What is feces/fecal matter?
100
If a patient with active C. difficile disease must share a room with another patient, it is recommended that one of these be placed in the room
What is a commode?
100
Any efforts to prevent the spread of C. difficile must include these people along with the resident
What is the resident's family?
100
Inflammation of the large intestine caused by a C. difficile infection
What is colitis?
100
This is the antibiotic of choice for mild to moderate CDI
What is flagyl?
200
The prefered substance used in hand hygiene to prevent transmission of C. difficile
What is soap and water?
200
If a patient with C. difficile must share a room with another patient, the beds should be this far apart
What is three feet?
200
Early recognition of patterns of infection and transmission can be accomplished by this process
What is surveillance?
200
Term used to describe bacteria, including C. difficile, with a thick outer layer that stains well under a microscope
What is gram-positive?
200
Controversial treatment to promote replacement of intestinal flora
What are probiotics?
300
The age group most succeptible to C. difficile infections
What is 65 and older?
300
Use of these paper tools has been demonstrated to improve employee compliance with environmental cleaning policies
What are check lists?
300
A coordinated program at both the facility and community level aimed at reducing antimicrobial resistance by promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics
What is antimicrobial stewardship?
300
Before C. difficile can cause infection in indiviudals, this antibiotic-induced effect must take place in the gut
What is alteration of normal gut flora?
300
Three things commonly seen in the treatment plan of a CDI patient
What are aggresive hydration, I&O, caffeine avoidance, anti-peristaltic avoidance, stopping unecessary antibiotics?
400
The best thing your staff can do to prevent transmission of C. difficile infection
What is hand washing?
400
In order to know how best to apply and rinse off a disinfectant, it is important to check the manufacturers instructions for this parameter
What is contact time?
400
This government entity provides support to facilities and clinicians working to prevent C. difficile infection and has an abundance of information and free tools on their website
What is the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)?
400
Patients with diarrhea should be tested for C. difficile infection if they also have a recent history of this
What is recent antibiotic use?
400
The reason that patients aren't retested after treatment for C. difficile infection
What is because they continue to shed bacteria for several weeks?
500
Best practice for symptomatic patients pending confirmation of CDI
What is (presumptive) isolation?
500
This government agency tests, registers and approves disinfectants for use against specific organisms
What is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
500
These are an important way to track trends in antimicrobial resistance as well as provide guidelines for antimicrobial treatment within a facility
What is a antibiogram?
500
Studies have shown this population is not at increased risk for developing C. difficile infection, even though they may test positive for the bacteria
What are asymptomatic carriers?
500
The newest antibiotic for the treatment of confirmed C. difficile infection