CEA Nursing Practice Exam

What is the best strategy for treating a urinary tract infection in a patient with a history of C. diff?

1. Tobramycin

2. Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Bactrim DS)

3. Clindamycin

4. Doxycycline

The correct answer is: Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Bactrim DS)

Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim, commonly known as Bactrim DS, is the best choice for treating a urinary tract infection (UTI) in a patient with a history of C. difficile infection. This is primarily due to its effectiveness against the most common pathogens responsible for UTIs, such as E. coli, while having a lower risk of exacerbating or triggering a C. difficile infection compared to other antibiotics. Other options like Tobramycin and Clindamycin are not the best choices for UTI management in this scenario. Tobramycin, an aminoglycoside, is typically reserved for severe infections and is not considered a first-line treatment for uncomplicated UTIs, plus it can also have nephrotoxic effects. Clindamycin, while effective for anaerobic bacteria (which includes C. difficile), may not effectively cover the common UTI pathogens, and it has been associated with a higher risk of C. difficile infection due to its mechanism of action. Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, is also not the first-line treatment for UTIs and, like the others, may not provide the coverage needed for typical UTI pathogens. Its potential effects on gut flora can also