QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
Oral vancomycin is first-line for mild, moderate, or severe C. difficile infections. Metronidazole can be used in life-threatening or complicated infections, however this would be prescribed intravenously.
10035464
c
Oral metronidazole
QuestionChoice
Fidaxomicin (200mg BD for 10 days) is the second-line treatment for C. difficile infections if vancomycin is contraindicated or ineffective. It is also recommended if a patient has a further infection with C. difficile after vancomycin treatment.
10035466
e
Oral fidaxomicin
QuestionChoice
Oral vancomycin is first-line for mild, moderate, or severe C. difficile infections. Intravenous metronidazole can be added to vancomycin in life-threatening or complicated infections.
10035465
d
Intravenous metronidazole
QuestionChoice
As per NICE guidelines, oral vancomycin (125mg QDS for 10 days) is first-line for mild, moderate, or severe C. difficile infections.
10035462
a
Oral vancomycin
QuestionChoice
Intravenous vancomycin is not used to treat C. difficile infections; the advantage of the oral route is that it acts directly in the gastrointestinal tract.
10035463
b
Intravenous vancomycin
Concept
Chapter
2693
4328
Clostridium difficile
Topic
194
Infectious Diseases
19496
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is a bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea and colitis, and it is managed with oral vancomycin as the first-line treatment
An 87-year-old care home resident is admitted to hospital after a fall. During her stay, she develops watery diarrhoea (type 7 on the Bristol Stool Chart) and a fever.

She feels mildly unwell but has no abdominal pain or other symptoms. A rectal examination is unremarkable and her abdomen is soft and non-tender.

Stool samples are positive for C.difficile toxin.

What is the most appropriate antibiotic to prescribe?
a