Which is true regarding airborne precautions?

Airborne precautions are a specific set of infection control practices designed to prevent the transmission of infectious agents that are spread via the air in small respiratory droplets. The correct choice highlights that the use of N95 respirators or higher is essential when caring for patients under airborne precautions. This is because N95 respirators are designed to filter out these tiny particles, providing a higher level of respiratory protection than standard surgical masks or other forms of personal protective equipment.

This precaution is particularly important for diseases known to be transmitted through the airborne route, such as tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox. By requiring the use of N95 respirators or similar protective equipment, healthcare workers can significantly reduce their risk of inhaling infectious agents, thereby enhancing patient and staff safety.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the intent or implementation of airborne precautions. For instance, airborne precautions are not limited to tuberculosis; they apply to other airborne diseases as well. While standard precautions are essential in all healthcare settings and involve basic hygiene and safety practices, airborne precautions are a specialized set of protocols. Furthermore, airborne precautions are not restricted to emergency situations; they are necessary whenever a healthcare worker is interacting with a patient known or suspected to have a transmissible airborne infection.