Ace the CNOR 2025 Challenge – Master the Operating Room with Confidence!

The key protective equipment required for airborne precautions is the N95 mask. This type of mask is designed to fit securely to the face and filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, including large respiratory droplets and smaller aerosols that may contain pathogens.

Airborne precautions are necessary in situations where certain infections can be transmitted through the air, such as tuberculosis, measles, or varicella. The N95 mask is specifically engineered to provide a higher level of filtration than a standard surgical mask, which is more appropriate for protecting against droplet transmission rather than airborne transmission.

In addition to the N95 mask, the use of an isolation room with negative pressure is crucial for containing airborne pathogens. Other protective equipment, such as face shields or full-body gowns, may be used in conjunction with airborne precautions, but they do not directly provide the airborne protection that the N95 mask does. The effectiveness of airborne precautions largely depends on the proper use of the N95 mask, making it the critical piece of equipment in these scenarios.