Health Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions

Vocabulary flashcards covering Standard precautions, Contact, Airborne, Droplet precautions, and Protective Isolation with definitions.

Standard precautions

Practices that protect healthcare workers from exposure, decrease transmission of pathogens, and protect clients from pathogens carried by healthcare workers.

Contact precautions

Pathogen spread by direct contact; precautions include a possible private room, clean gown and glove use, disposal of contaminated items in the room, and double-bagging and marking linen.

Airborne precautions

Pathogen spread via air currents; transmission through ventilation systems, shaking or moving contaminated linens, or sweeping; precautions include the same as contact plus a special room, a special mask, and the patient wearing a mask during transport.

Droplet precautions

Pathogen spread via moist droplets (coughing, sneezing, touching contaminated objects); precautions include the same as contact plus a mask and eye protection within 3 feet of the client.

Protective isolation (protective environment)

Protects the client from organisms; used for immune-compromised clients; precautions include a room with special ventilation and air filters and avoiding standing water in the room (e.g., humidifier).

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Equipment such as masks, gowns, and gloves used to protect healthcare workers and patients; used in protective isolation to protect the patient.