Which is an example of implementing airborne precautions?

• A. Private room with negative pressure and N95 respirator for staff
• B. Standard precautions only
• C. Droplet precautions with mask
• D. No special precautions

Answer: (A)

Airborne precautions target infections that can spread through tiny aerosols that stay suspended in the air. The most effective setup includes a private room with negative pressure, which helps keep contaminated air from seeping into other areas by ensuring air flows into the room and out through proper exhaust or filtration. For staff, using a tightly fitted N95 respirator is essential because it filters small aerosol particles that a regular mask cannot trap.

This approach is necessary because standard precautions cover general hygiene and barrier protection for all patients but don’t specifically prevent airborne transmission. Droplet precautions rely on a mask to block larger droplets that travel short distances, not the tiny particles that linger in the air. No special precautions would fail to address the risk of inhaling aerosolized pathogens.