Final answer:
EMTs should use an N95 respirator when caring for a patient suspected of having tuberculosis, as it offers the needed protection against airborne pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
If EMTs suspect that the elderly patient they are caring for has tuberculosis (TB), the type of mask they should don is an N95 respirator. This type of mask is specifically designed to filter out particles as small as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis, providing a higher level of protection against airborne pathogens. A surgical mask or no mask would not provide adequate protection in this scenario.
The correct type of mask that EMTs should don if they suspect an elderly patient has tuberculosis is the N95 respirator. This type of mask is designed to filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, including the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. The N95 respirator provides a higher level of protection compared to disposable surgical masks or regular face masks.