When should isolation precautions be used, and what are the main types?

• A. For all patients at all times; contact, droplet, and airborne precautions
• B. When infection control is needed; contact, droplet, and airborne precautions
• C. Only during surgery; contact and airborne
• D. Only for isolation rooms; droplet and contact precautions

Answer: (B)

Isolation precautions are used when infection control is needed to prevent the spread of an infectious agent from one patient to others. They aren’t required for every patient all the time, but are applied based on the suspected or confirmed mode of transmission. The three main types are:

• Contact precautions: used for pathogens spread by direct touch or contaminated surfaces. PPE typically includes gloves and a gown, with diligent hand hygiene and often dedicated equipment for the patient.

• Droplet precautions: used for pathogens spread through large respiratory droplets within close proximity. A surgical mask is worn by the caregiver when near the patient, and gloves and gown are used as indicated; eye protection may be added in some situations.

• Airborne precautions: used for pathogens that can travel long distances in the air as aerosols. A respirator such as an N95 is required for caregivers, and the patient is placed in a negative-pressure room with measures to limit movement and ensure proper room ventilation.

Standard precautions apply to all patients, and these transmission-based precautions are added as needed based on the infection risk.