ugh.. ill... c. diff??

[TiaKay]

I'm a soon-to-be-nursing student working as an NA pt on a med surg floor. Last night, I had horrid bellycramps at work, and today I'm feeling nauseous and really (sorry, TMI) having explosive diarrhea. You know what I'm worrying about... As obsessive as I am about gloving and washing, I'm worried I've picked up some nasty bug at work. Could it be c. diff? What do I do? should I ask if Employee Health will run a lab test? If I'm ill, I shouldn't be bringing this back to the floor to the pts. I care for. And yet if I don't cover my shift, then it's hard on everyone, my colleagues and my pts. What to do? I work again on Monday night...

ideas?

Thanks.. TiaKay

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Hi,

I'm sorry you're feeling sick. Unfortunately, it's beyond the scope of our practice as nurses to offer any sort of medical advice on this board, and as always when you have a medical question, the best person to ask is your primary care provider, or a clinic physician if you don't have a doctor of your own.

I agree though, until your intestinal symptoms have subsided for a minimum of 48-72 hours, you should not be working directly with patients.

Good luck to you.