Which precaution is used for airborne pathogens like measles or varicella?

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

Answer: (C)

Airborne transmission involves tiny particles that can linger in the air and travel long distances, potentially being inhaled by people who enter the same space. To prevent this spread, the appropriate measure is airborne precautions. This means placing the patient in a negative‑pressure isolation room and ensuring healthcare workers wear a fit‑tested N95 respirator (or higher) whenever they enter the room. If the patient needs to be moved, they should wear a mask to reduce spread, and the destination room should be prepared with proper ventilation and air changes. Standard precautions are the baseline for all patients, while droplet precautions guard against larger droplets that travel short distances with surgical masks, and contact precautions protect against transmission through direct or indirect contact with gloves and gowns. Measles and varicella spread primarily through small aerosol particles, so airborne precautions provide the most effective protection.