Which type of precaution involves airborne particles that can spread through air currents?

Airborne Precautions are specifically designed to protect against infectious agents that can be transmitted through the air via aerosols or airborne particles. These particles are so small that they can remain suspended in the air for extended periods and can be carried over long distances by air currents. This type of precaution is critical in healthcare settings where patients may be infected with diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, or chickenpox, which are known to spread through the air.

In addition to wearing proper masks (such as N95 respirators), healthcare workers must ensure that patients requiring airborne precautions are placed in specially ventilated rooms, often referred to as negative pressure rooms, to minimize the risk of airborne transmission to others.

The other types of precautions mentioned focus on different modes of transmission. For example, droplet precautions primarily address larger respiratory droplets that travel short distances during coughing or sneezing. Contact precautions are aimed at preventing the spread of infections through direct or indirect contact. Universal precautions were a set of guidelines to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens, focusing more on standard practices rather than airborne risks. Understanding these distinctions emphasizes the importance of adopting the right precautions based on the transmission mode to protect both patients and healthcare providers.