Which type of precaution is indicated for a patient with tuberculosis?

Which type of precaution is indicated for a patient with tuberculosis?

• A. Droplet precautions
• B. Standard precautions
• C. Airborne precautions
• D. Contact precautions

Answer: (C)

Airborne precautions are indicated because tuberculosis spreads through very small aerosolized particles that can stay suspended in air for long periods and travel beyond a few feet. Protecting against inhalation of these particles requires isolating the patient in a negative-pressure room and ensuring healthcare workers wear a properly fitted respirator (like an N95) when entering the room. If the patient must leave the room, they should wear a mask to reduce spread. Standard precautions are used with all patients but do not specifically address airborne transmission; droplet precautions cover larger droplets that don’t travel far, and contact precautions protect against touching contaminated surfaces or skin. So this situation calls for airborne precautions.

Airborne precautions are indicated because tuberculosis spreads through very small aerosolized particles that can stay suspended in air for long periods and travel beyond a few feet. Protecting against inhalation of these particles requires isolating the patient in a negative-pressure room and ensuring healthcare workers wear a properly fitted respirator (like an N95) when entering the room. If the patient must leave the room, they should wear a mask to reduce spread. Standard precautions are used with all patients but do not specifically address airborne transmission; droplet precautions cover larger droplets that don’t travel far, and contact precautions protect against touching contaminated surfaces or skin. So this situation calls for airborne precautions.