Question

Approximately 5 days after starting tube feedings, a patient develops extreme diarrhea. A stool specimen is collected to check for which possible cause?

a. Clostridium difficile
b. Escherichia coli
c. Occult blood
d. Ova and parasites

Answer 1

A stool specimen from a patient with diarrhea starting after tube feedings may be checked for Clostridium difficile, a common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and severe colitis, particularly in patients with specific risk factors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Approximately 5 days after starting tube feedings, a patient who develops extreme diarrhea might have his stool specimen collected to check for Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). This organism is a common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can lead to severe colitis. Patients most at risk for C. difficile infections are those who have recently taken antibiotics, had gastrointestinal procedures, are immunocompromised, older, have been in healthcare settings for an extended period, or use proton pump inhibitors. C. difficile produces spores, allowing it to survive under harsh environmental conditions for an extended time, making it a notable nosocomial pathogen.