Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS)

A post-operative patient on antibiotics develops foul-smelling diarrhea and abdominal cramping. What condition should the provider suspect?

1. UTI

2. Clostridium difficile

3. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

4. Escherichia coli

The correct answer is: Clostridium difficile

The symptoms presented—a post-operative patient on antibiotics developing foul-smelling diarrhea and abdominal cramping—strongly indicate the possibility of a Clostridium difficile infection. This condition often results from the disruption of the normal gut flora caused by antibiotic therapy, allowing Clostridium difficile to proliferate. The organism produces toxins that lead to inflammation of the colon and characteristic symptoms, including watery diarrhea that can have a foul odor, along with abdominal discomfort or cramping. In this particular scenario, the antibiotic use is a key factor, as it is well-documented that the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can lead to an overgrowth of C. difficile. The specific clinical presentation aligns with this diagnosis, making it a primary concern in post-operative patients who have been treated with antibiotics, particularly those with recent surgical interventions that may increase their susceptibility to gastrointestinal complications.