Question

A 70-year-old woman who recently received antibiotics develops watery diarrhoea 10 times per day, abdominal cramps and low-grade fever. Stool assay is positive for C. difficile toxin. She is haemodynamically stable with no signs of megacolon. What is the most appropriate initial therapy?

Accepted Answer

Oral vancomycin

Answer

Oral metronidazole

Answer

Intravenous metronidazole

Answer

Intravenous vancomycin

Answer

No specific therapy; observe

Practice question

A 70-year-old woman who recently received antibiotics develops watery diarrhoea 10 times per day, abdominal cramps and low-grade fever. Stool assay is positive for C. difficile toxin. She is haemodynamically stable with no signs of megacolon. What is the most appropriate initial therapy?