Transmission-based precautions are CDC precautions used in patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens that can be transmitted by which routes; used in addition to standard precautions?

Transmission-based precautions are CDC precautions used in patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens that can be transmitted by which routes; used in addition to standard precautions?

• A. Only airborne routes.
• B. Airborne, droplet, or contact routes; in addition to standard precautions.
• C. Only contact with blood.
• D. Only droplet routes.

Answer: (B)

Transmission-based precautions are added on top of standard precautions because some infections can spread through specific routes beyond routine safety measures. These routes include airborne, droplet, and contact transmission, and each requires its own protective approach to prevent spread. Airborne transmission involves tiny particles that can stay suspended in the air; infections like tuberculosis, measles, and varicella fall into this category and require a negative-pressure room and a properly fitted respirator to protect both patient and staff. Droplet transmission involves larger particles that travel only short distances, so precautions include masking for close contact, as with illnesses such as influenza, pertussis, or mumps. Contact transmission occurs through direct contact or touching contaminated surfaces, so gloves and a gown are used for infections like MRSA, VRE, or C. diff. So the best choice emphasizes protection against all three routes—airborne, droplet, or contact—used in addition to standard precautions.

Transmission-based precautions are added on top of standard precautions because some infections can spread through specific routes beyond routine safety measures. These routes include airborne, droplet, and contact transmission, and each requires its own protective approach to prevent spread.

Airborne transmission involves tiny particles that can stay suspended in the air; infections like tuberculosis, measles, and varicella fall into this category and require a negative-pressure room and a properly fitted respirator to protect both patient and staff. Droplet transmission involves larger particles that travel only short distances, so precautions include masking for close contact, as with illnesses such as influenza, pertussis, or mumps. Contact transmission occurs through direct contact or touching contaminated surfaces, so gloves and a gown are used for infections like MRSA, VRE, or C. diff.

So the best choice emphasizes protection against all three routes—airborne, droplet, or contact—used in addition to standard precautions.