Which condition requires airborne precautions according to the material?

Which condition requires airborne precautions according to the material?

• A. Varicella
• B. Mumps
• C. Common cold
• D. Pneumonia

Answer: (A)

Airborne precautions protect against infections that spread via small particles that linger in the air and can travel with air currents. To prevent transmission, patients are placed in a negative-pressure room and staff wear an N95 respirator when entering. Varicella fits this pattern because it is highly contagious and can be transmitted through inhalation of aerosolized particles from respiratory secretions and from vesicular fluid, even before a rash appears. Because of this risk of airborne spread, airborne precautions are required for varicella. The other conditions spread mainly by larger respiratory droplets or contact rather than through the air over long distances, so they are managed with droplet or contact precautions instead.

Airborne precautions protect against infections that spread via small particles that linger in the air and can travel with air currents. To prevent transmission, patients are placed in a negative-pressure room and staff wear an N95 respirator when entering. Varicella fits this pattern because it is highly contagious and can be transmitted through inhalation of aerosolized particles from respiratory secretions and from vesicular fluid, even before a rash appears. Because of this risk of airborne spread, airborne precautions are required for varicella. The other conditions spread mainly by larger respiratory droplets or contact rather than through the air over long distances, so they are managed with droplet or contact precautions instead.