What is a common cause of C. diff infections in residents?

A common cause of C. difficile infections is the overuse of antibiotics. Antibiotics can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the gut, reducing the population of beneficial bacteria and allowing C. difficile, which is normally present in low levels, to proliferate unchecked. This overgrowth can lead to severe diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues characteristic of C. difficile infections.

The other options, while they may be relevant in different healthcare contexts, do not have the same direct link to C. difficile infections. For example, improper hand hygiene is critical in preventing the spread of infections in general, but it is not the primary cause of C. diff infections specifically. Undiagnosed diabetes and lack of physical activity influence overall health and can complicate existing conditions, but they are not recognized as direct causes of C. difficile infections. Therefore, understanding the role of antibiotics in the disruption of gut flora provides crucial insight into why this particular option is the correct answer relating to C. diff infections.