Final answer:
Droplet precaution is the correct method to prevent the transmission of mumps, which spreads through infected saliva and respiratory droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mumps is a contagious viral infection that is known to spread through infected saliva and respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplet precaution is the appropriate method to help protect against the transmission of mumps. It involves wearing masks and taking care to avoid close contact with infected individuals, as it prevents the inhalation of droplets that may contain the virus.
As opposed to droplet transmission, contact precautions are used for pathogens spread by direct skin-to-skin contact or via surfaces, and airborne precautions involve protecting against diseases that are transmitted by smaller particles that can remain in the air over long distances and time periods. Mumps, however, primarily spreads through larger respiratory droplets that are expelled during coughing or sneezing and do not stay suspended in the air for extended periods, thus droplet precautions are most suitable for preventing its spread.
In conclusion, the right precaution for protecting against the transmission of mumps is 3) Droplet Precaution. This is because mumps commonly spreads through the air via large respiratory droplets from an infected person.