This week you will need to look at the provided case study and
develop a care plan for a patient that has a Clostridium difficile
Colitis. Please use the provided format for building your care plan.
You will need to use your nursing reference materials as you build this
care plan. (Suggestion on using skyscape)
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this assignment, students are tasked with developing a care plan for a patient with Clostridium difficile colitis. They are required to use the provided format and nursing reference materials to build the plan. The use of Skyscape is recommended for this purpose.
1. What is Clostridium difficile colitis?
Clostridium difficile colitis is an infection of the colon caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile. This infection is typically associated with antibiotic use, as the bacteria can thrive in the intestine when normal gut flora is disrupted by antibiotics. Symptoms of C. difficile colitis include diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and cramping, and dehydration. In severe cases, the infection can lead to toxic megacolon and sepsis.
2. What are the risk factors for C. difficile colitis?
Several factors can increase the risk of developing C. difficile colitis, including age (over 65 years), prolonged hospitalization, use of antibiotics (especially broad-spectrum antibiotics), gastrointestinal surgery, and immunosuppression. Patients with underlying conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and kidney disease are also at increased risk.
3. What is the treatment for C. difficile colitis?
The treatment for C. difficile colitis typically involves discontinuing the offending antibiotic(s) and starting a course of antibiotics that are effective against C. difficile. The most commonly used antibiotics for this purpose are vancomycin and metronidazole. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the infected colon. Patients with mild to moderate symptoms can also benefit from supportive interventions such as fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy and probiotics.