C.Diff practice identification

Question 1

Which of these patients has Mild-Moderate C.Diff

A. Patient A: WBC of 10/ SCr of 1.4 (Baseline 0.8)

B. Patient B: WBC of 14/ SCr of 1.4 (Baseline 1.0)

C. Patient C: WBC of 16/ SCr of 0.8 (Baseline of 0.8)

D. Patient D: WBC of 12/ SCr of 1.5 (Baseline of 1)

Answer 1

B

WBC is below 15

AND

SCr is less than 1.5 times baseline (1.4). He would have been severe if his SCR was 1.5 instead of 1.4

Question 2

Patient X presents with loose watery stools x 3 days and reports at least 4 episodes per day. His vitals are as follows:

HR: 75

BP: 120/70

RR: 15

WBC: 16

SCr of 1.4 (baseline of 1.2)

Classify this patient’s C.Diff.

A. Mild-Moderate

B. Severe

C. Severe complicated

D. None of the above

Answer 2

B

His WBC is greater than 15. His SCr is les than 1.5 x his baseline but you onlly need one of these criteria to be classified as severe.

Question 3

Patient Y presents to the hospital with 2 days of loose stools. He reports more than 5 episodes per day with abdominal discomfort. His labs are as follows:

HR: 85 BP: 130/85 RR: 17 WBC: 13 SCr: 1.2 (no baseline)

Classify his C.Diff severity

A. Severe

B. Mild-Moderate

C. Severe-complicated

D. None of the above

Answer 3

B

The reason I didn’t include an SCr baseline is because in some problems they may not give a baseline and as long as their WBC is less than 15 you can classify them as Mild-Moderate. Unless ther is an answer choice specifying that you need an SCr to determine his severity.

Question 4

Patient Z presents to the hospital with loose watery stools present for 5 days. He reports at least 6 episodes per day. His vitals are as follows:

HR: 85 BP: 140/90 RR: 16 WBC 18 SCr: 1.2 (no baseline)

Classify his C.Diff severity

A. Mild-Moderate

B. Severe-Complicated

C. Severe

D. None of the above

Answer 4

C

I did not include a baseline in this problem because if you have even one of the criteria (WBC> 15 or 1.5x baseline SCr) you are automatically considered severe.

Question 5

Which of these patients have Severe C.Diff infections? (select all)

A. Patient A: WBC:18/ SCr: 1.8 (baseline 1.0)

B. Patient B: WBC: 14/ SCr: 1.5 (baseline 1.2)

C. Patient C: WBC 16/ SCr: 1.2 (baseline 1.0)

D. Patient D: WBC 8/ SCr: 1.6 (baseline 0.8)

E. Patient EL WBC 8/ SCr: 1.2 (baseline 1.2)

Answer 5

A, C, D