Which statement describes what is necessary for airborne precautions?

• A. A patient infected with organisms transmitted by large particles (>5 microns)
• B. Masks recommended if working within three-foot radius of the patients
• C. Infection with Neisseria meningitidis, Bordetella pertussis, or influenza
• D. A private room with monitored air pressure and six to 12 air changes per hour

Answer: (D)

Airborne precautions focus on keeping very small infectious particles from circulating through the healthcare environment. The most essential requirement is a private room that maintains appropriate air pressure so that air flows into the room (negative pressure) and is exhausted or filtered, rather than letting air and any infectious particles escape to other areas. Coupled with this is a ventilation rate that ensures the room air is frequently replaced—six to twelve air changes per hour helps dilute and remove any suspended pathogens. In practice, this setup is paired with proper respiratory protection for staff (such as an N95) when entering the room and keeping the door closed to maintain the isolation.

The other statements don’t describe the isolation infrastructure needed for airborne pathogens. Large particles are involved in droplet transmission, which relies on proximity and standard droplet precautions rather than a negative-pressure room. Staying within a three-foot radius and relying on masks in that space aligns with droplet precautions, not airborne. The listed organisms can be transmitted by droplets or contact under certain circumstances, so mentioning them alone doesn’t establish the environmental controls required for airborne pathogens. The private, monitored-pressure room with adequate air changes directly captures the environmental conditions that define airborne precautions.