Question about C. diff

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2009

C. Diff diarrhea has has a really foul odor and is dark greenish and mucousy looking. It has to be identified by the doc ordering stools for C&S. The C. Diff bacteria can be seen and identified by lab techs examining a stool specimen after a few hours of incubation.

truern · Mar 21, 2009

Once you've smelled it you'll never forget it.

mama_d, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2009

Once you've smelled it you'll never forget it.

:yeahthat:

Ditto for rotavirus, GI bleed, and stool from necrotic bowel. It's amazing the number of GI ailments that can be diagnosed with a good nose.

jnrsmommy · Mar 21, 2009

C. Diff diarrhea has has a really foul odor and is dark greenish and mucousy looking. It has to be identified by the doc ordering stools for C&S. The C. Diff bacteria can be seen and identified by lab techs examining a stool specimen after a few hours of incubation.

Not always dark greenish and w/ mucus. Just had a resident w/ loose watery brown stools w/ "the smell." Came back + for C-diff.

OhBoy123 · Mar 21, 2009

Smells awful!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2009

C. Diff diarrhea is normally pretty profuse and frequent, more often than just normal side effects. Diarhea stinks and I've never been able to tell c. diff from other poopy smells. If your concerned ask the doctor to order the patient a c. diff test.

When I was on heavy duty antibiodics I supplemented with a probiodic to keep my flora intact. Never had a problem.

Atheos · Mar 21, 2009

The smell is beyond awful...

You'll never miss it...

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 22, 2009

Once you've smelled it you'll never forget it.

I heard someone once describe it as a "cross between the smell of poop and french fries."

Hmmmmm....

McDonalds, anyone?

notthereyet0 · Mar 22, 2009

I was taking care of a patient diagnosed with c diff in clinicals and she had a rectal tube in. It was great because it contained the stuff........nuff said .......and the smell. So much less to spread the contagion too. :yeah:

Kevin RN08 · Mar 22, 2009

You will know it the second time you encounter it.

And don't forget to use soap and water for handwashing ... the alcohol stuff don't work. Neither does soap, it's the friction.

Nursey103, ADN, RN · Mar 22, 2009

Thanks for all the replies!!! Very helpful.... If this is an outpatient thing....patient given IV abx and then po abx at home....I was curious as to how they would be able to tell if they just had normal diarrhea or C. diff. The patient was also given Flagyl IV along w/ the IV abx....was that for C. diff prophylaxis??