What it means
The level of isolation for diseases spread by very small particles that float in the air and travel on air currents, such as tuberculosis, measles and chickenpox (with contact precautions for chickenpox). The client stays in an airborne infection isolation room, a single room with negative pressureNEG-uh-tiv PRESH-erPressure that is lower than the pressure around it, so air or fluid is drawn in.Full entry and the door closed. Staff wear a fit-tested N95en-NINE-tee-fiveA close-fitting respirator mask that filters at least 95% of tiny particles from the air the wearer breathes.Full entry respirator or a PAPR.
For the nurse
Put the respirator on before entering and take it off after leaving. Keep the door closed. If the client must leave the room, they wear a surgical mask. Staff who are not immune to measles or chickenpox should not care for those clients when others can.
At a glance
| Also written | airborne precaution, airborne isolation |
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Related terms
tuberculosis
An infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often attacks the lungs.
standard precautions
The basic infection-control practices used with every client, whether or not an infection is known.
negative pressure
Pressure that is lower than the pressure around it, so air or fluid is drawn in.
N95
A close-fitting respirator mask that filters at least 95% of tiny particles from the air the wearer breathes.
droplet precautions
Infection control steps, used with standard precautions, for germs spread by large droplets from coughing, sneezing or talking.