A healthcare worker exposed to a C. difficile patient not on isolation precautions is worried about infection; what should the IP convey about risk?

• A. Pathogens such as C. difficile are found in many settings; risk is minimal to none
• B. Risk is high and the worker should start antibiotics
• C. There is no risk of transmission in any setting
• D. Risk is moderate and requires immediate testing of the worker

Answer: (A)

C. difficile is a spore-forming organism that can be found in many healthcare environments, especially where patients have diarrhea. Transmission happens when someone ingests spores, which can occur via hands or surfaces contaminated with stool. For an exposed healthcare worker who is asymptomatic, the risk of developing CDI is generally low, so antibiotics should not be started and routine testing isn’t indicated after a single exposure. The correct message is to maintain standard precautions, wash hands with soap and water after potential contact (spores aren’t fully removed by alcohol-based sanitizer), and monitor for symptoms, seeking evaluation if diarrhea or other signs of infection appear.