multi class comparison

Isolation Precautions Comparison: Airborne vs Droplet vs Contact

Choosing a surgical mask when the patient has TB means you just exposed yourself to airborne tuberculosis. The wrong mask, wrong room, or wrong gown decision appears repeatedly on the NCLEX — and each precaution type has a distinct PPE and room requirement that you must match instantly.

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Comparison

Side-by-side3 compared
Comparevs
Dimension
Airborne
Droplet
Contact
How it spreads
  • Aerosol nuclei < 5 µm
  • stay suspended, travel far
  • Large droplets ≥ 5 µm
  • ≤ 6 ft (cough, sneeze)
  • Direct/indirect touch of skin or surfaces
Required PPE
  • ★N95 respirator (fit-tested)
  • Surgical mask within 6 ft
  • Gown + gloves on room entry
Room placement
  • ★Negative-pressure AIIR
  • door closed
  • Private room
  • may cohort same organism
  • Private room
  • may cohort same organism
Patient transport
  • Patient wears surgical mask during transport
  • Patient wears surgical mask during transport
  • Cover infected area
  • disinfect equipment after
Classic diseases
  • TB, measles, varicella, disseminated zoster
  • Influenza, pertussis, meningitis, mumps
  • MRSA, VRE, C. diff, RSV, scabies
Key nursing action
  • Verify N95 fit-test
  • check neg-pressure daily
  • Mask the coughing patient immediately
  • ★Soap & water for C. diff (gel fails on spores)
How it spreads

Airborne

  • Aerosol nuclei < 5 µm
  • stay suspended, travel far

Droplet

  • Large droplets ≥ 5 µm
  • ≤ 6 ft (cough, sneeze)
Required PPE

Airborne

  • ★N95 respirator (fit-tested)

Droplet

  • Surgical mask within 6 ft
Room placement

Airborne

  • ★Negative-pressure AIIR
  • door closed

Droplet

  • Private room
  • may cohort same organism
Patient transport

Airborne

  • Patient wears surgical mask during transport

Droplet

  • Patient wears surgical mask during transport
Classic diseases

Airborne

  • TB, measles, varicella, disseminated zoster

Droplet

  • Influenza, pertussis, meningitis, mumps
Key nursing action

Airborne

  • Verify N95 fit-test
  • check neg-pressure daily

Droplet

  • Mask the coughing patient immediately

★ marks the fact that sets a column apart.

Clinical Pearl

"My Chicken Hez TB" = Airborne → Measles, Chickenpox, Herpes zoster (disseminated), TB — N95 + negative pressure.

Component Topics

Airborne PrecautionsContact PrecautionsDroplet Precautions

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