What type of precaution should be taken when caring for a patient with C. difficile?

When caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), the appropriate type of precaution is contact precautions. C. difficile is primarily transmitted through spores that can survive on surfaces and objects for long periods. These spores can be transferred to healthcare personnel's hands or other surfaces, leading to further spread of the infection.

Contact precautions involve several key practices. Healthcare workers must wear gloves when interacting with the patient or their environment to prevent direct contact with the spores. Additionally, gowns should be utilized when there is a risk of soiling clothing, ensuring that the employee's uniform or skin is not contaminated. Furthermore, proper hand hygiene is essential, particularly the use of soap and water rather than alcohol-based hand sanitizers, as alcohol does not effectively kill C. difficile spores.

This approach helps limit the transmission of the infection within healthcare settings by safeguarding both patients and healthcare providers from potential exposure to the spores. Other types of precautions listed, such as universal precautions, are generally focused on blood and body fluid exposure, while droplet precautions are specifically aimed at preventing the spread of infections that are primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets. Aseptic precautions typically apply to the prevention of infections during invasive procedures, which is not the primary focus in the context of managing C