Question

The "Airborne Precautions" isolation category is used when a patient is suspected or confirmed to have what?

Answer 1

Airborne Precautions are used for illnesses spread by airborne transmission, such as Influenza, or health care-associated infections like Health Care-Associated Pneumonia. These can be spread through aerosols from infected individuals or via contaminated medical equipment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The "Airborne Precautions" isolation category is employed in healthcare settings when there is a suspected or confirmed patient with an illness that can be spread by airborne transmission.

These illnesses can include infections from indigenous or exotic bacteria that are capable of aerosol transmission and cause diseases in humans.

Common examples of such illnesses include Influenza, as well as health care-associated infections like those introduced via contaminated ventilators or other medical equipment.

Health Care-Associated Pneumonia, for instance, can be caused by opportunistic bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, which are often contracted in medical settings and pose risks particularly to elderly, immunocompromised individuals, or those already suffering from lung conditions.

Influenza or "the flu" and other airborne pathogens like cold viruses can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, producing respiratory droplets or aerosols that carry the pathogens.

These can be inhaled by others, subsequently infecting them and facilitating the spread of the infection.

Answer 2

The "Airborne Precautions" isolation category is used when a patient is suspected or confirmed to have airborne-transmitted infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB), measles, chickenpox (varicella), or certain types of respiratory infections caused by pathogens like the influenza virus.

Step-by-step explanation:

The "Airborne Precautions" isolation category is implemented to contain and prevent the spread of diseases transmitted through tiny airborne particles containing infectious pathogens. These precautions are necessary when dealing with patients suspected or confirmed to have illnesses that can spread through the air. One of the most notable diseases requiring airborne precautions is tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs. TB is transmitted when an infected individual coughs or sneezes, releasing airborne particles containing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, making it highly contagious in certain environments.

Measles and chickenpox (varicella) are also notable diseases necessitating airborne precautions. Both are viral infections that spread through respiratory droplets and aerosolized particles. Measles is caused by the measles virus, while chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. These viruses can linger in the air for extended periods, increasing the risk of transmission to susceptible individuals. Additionally, certain respiratory infections caused by pathogens like the influenza virus may require airborne precautions due to their ability to spread through the air, especially in healthcare settings where vulnerable individuals are present. Implementation of airborne precautions involves measures such as wearing specialized masks (like N95 respirators), proper ventilation, and isolation protocols to prevent the spread of these airborne-transmitted infectious diseases.