Clostridioides difficile Infection

Body Systems › Gastrointestinal System › Clostridioides difficile Infection
GI Clinical reference

Clostridioides difficile Infection

C. difficile infection (CDI): watery diarrhea (≥3 loose stools/24h), toxin-mediated colitis after antibiotic exposure. Contact precautions required. Vancomycin oral and fidaxomicin are current first-line treatments.

C. diff CDI C. difficile Clostridioides difficile CDAD pseudomembranous colitis
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Core official overview

What this condition is

What is C. diff?C. diff is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. You may see it called other names, such as Clostridioides difficile (the new name), Clostridium difficile (an older name), and C. difficile. It causes close to half a million illnesses each year.What causes C. diff infections?C. diff bacteria are commonly found in the environment, but people usually…

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Common tests

Tests performed

C. diff PCR or GDH + toxin EIA (two-step) CBC (leukocytosis) BMP Abdominal CT (severe/fulminant — toxic megacolon)
Common medications

Recognize the drug and the class

Non-severe: Vancomycin PO 125mg QID × 10d OR Fidaxomicin 200mg BID × 10d Severe/fulminant: Vancomycin 500mg QID PO + Metronidazole IV + Surgery consultation Recurrent: Fidaxomicin (preferred) or FMT (multiple recurrences) Bezlotoxumab (prevent recurrence in high-risk)
Related nursing diagnoses

NANDA diagnoses & care plans

Use these direct links to open nursing diagnoses and care-plan support related to Clostridioides difficile Infection.

Diarrhea Deficient Fluid Volume Risk for Infection Transmission Impaired Skin Integrity
Official education links

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C. diff Infections What is C. diff?C. diff is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. You may see it called other names, such as Clostridioides difficile (the new name), Clostridium difficile (an older name), and C. difficile. It causes close to half a million illnesses each year.What causes C. diff infections?C. diff bacteria are commonly found in the environment, but people usually…