NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)Safety and ComplianceEasy
A phlebotomy technician is preparing to draw blood from a patient with a known history of tuberculosis. Which of the following precautions should the technician implement?
- AStandard Precautions only
- BDroplet Precautions
- CAirborne Precautions
- DContact Precautions
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Airborne Precautions
Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne disease, meaning it is spread through small particles that remain suspended in the air. Therefore, airborne precautions are necessary to prevent its transmission during patient care.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Standard precautions are always used, but additional precautions are required for specific infectious diseases like TB.
- B. Droplet precautions are for infections spread by large respiratory droplets that travel short distances, not for airborne diseases like TB.
- D. Contact precautions are used for infections spread by direct or indirect contact, not airborne transmission.
Airborne Precautions
Measures taken to prevent the spread of infectious agents that remain infectious over long distances when suspended in the air.
- Used for diseases like Tuberculosis, Measles, Varicella (chickenpox).
- Requires N95 or higher-level respirator mask.
- Patient typically placed in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR).
Memory trick: Always Be Careful During Contact!