Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

What type of precautions must be taken for a patient known or suspected to be infected with pathogens spread through large droplets?

1. Contact precautions

2. Airborne precautions

3. Standard precautions

4. Droplet precautions

The correct answer is: Droplet precautions

Droplet precautions are specifically designed to prevent the transmission of diseases that are spread through larger respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. These droplets can typically travel a short distance, generally up to six feet, and can land in the mouth, nose, or eyes of individuals nearby, potentially leading to infection. Implementing droplet precautions involves using a combination of protective measures, such as wearing surgical masks when interacting with the patient, ensuring that the patient is accommodated in a private room, and maintaining a safe distance from others. These precautions are crucial in healthcare settings to minimize the risk of transmission for patients infected with pathogens like influenza or COVID-19 that are known to spread through this route. Other options, while related to infection control, address different modes of transmission. For example, contact precautions are used for infections that can be spread through direct or indirect contact, airborne precautions are necessary for diseases that can remain suspended in the air for longer distances, and standard precautions serve as a baseline for all patient care procedures. Understanding the specific precautionary measures associated with droplet transmission is essential for effective infection control in healthcare environments.