A client has been diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile infection after completing a 10-day course of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Which nursing actions are appropriate? Select all that apply.

A. Placing the client on contact precautions is essential to prevent the spread of C. difficile, which is highly contagious via fecal-oral transmission. Contact precautions include wearing gloves and gowns when entering the client’s room and proper environmental cleaning. B. Encouraging the client to increase fluid intake is appropriate because diarrhea from C. difficile infection can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Maintaining hydration supports overall recovery and helps prevent complications. C. Using dedicated equipment for this client helps prevent cross-contamination. Items such as stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and thermometers should remain in the client’s room or be properly disinfected before use on other clients to limit the spread of infection. D. While probiotics may help restore gut flora in some cases, this is a complementary strategy and not a primary nursing action for managing an active C. difficile infection. Clients should follow provider instructions regarding probiotics, and self-administration without guidance is not sufficient to control infection. E. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against C. difficile spores. Hand hygiene must be performed using soap and water, as the mechanical action helps remove spores from the hands. This is a critical teaching point for infection control. F. Administering loperamide or other anti-diarrheal medications is contraindicated in C. difficile infection. Slowing intestinal motility can worsen the infection by retaining toxins in the bowel and increase the risk of complications such as toxic megacolon. Management focuses on treating the infection with appropriate antibiotics (e.g., vancomycin or fidaxomicin) rather than suppressing diarrhea.