A nurse is caring for a toddler whose guardian reports multiple episodes of diarrhea. The provider suspects Clostridium difficile. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Collect a stool specimen for occult blood: A stool specimen for occult blood is typically used to check for hidden blood in the stool, which might suggest conditions like gastrointestinal bleeding or certain infections. It is not the primary test for diagnosing C. difficile infection. B. Draw a blood culture: Blood cultures are used to identify bacteria or other pathogens in the blood, but they are not appropriate for diagnosing Clostridium difficile infection, which primarily affects the gastrointestinal system. C. Conduct a tape test: A tape test is used for diagnosing pinworm infections, not for Clostridium difficile. It involves placing a piece of tape on the child's anal area to collect eggs for examination under a microscope. It is not relevant to the suspicion of C. difficile. D. Obtain a stool specimen for culture: The most appropriate action is to collect a stool specimen for culture to identify C. difficile. The diagnosis of C. difficile infection is typically confirmed by stool testing, which may include testing for toxins produced by the bacteria.