Chapter 13: Diagnostic tests
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Pre‐procedural considerations
Assessment and recording tools
Collecting a faecal sample should be considered in conjunction with a comprehensive nursing assessment. This includes the observation of faeces for colour, presence of blood, consistency and odour (Chernecky and Berger [32], Pagana and Pagana [177]). The most widely used assessment tool is the Bristol Stool Chart (see Figure 6.3), which categorizes faeces into seven classifications (types) based upon appearance and consistency. Samples sent to the microbiology laboratory for analysis of suspected C. difficile should be classified as type 6/7 on the Bristol Stool Chart.
In addition to covering other associated symptomatology (such as vomiting, fever, myalgia or abdominal pain), an accurate history should include the onset, frequency and duration of diarrhoea, and other information such as history of foreign travel or potential food poisoning.
Procedure guideline 13.26
