The patient with active tuberculosis is admitted. What isolation precautions and mask are required?

• A. Airborne precautions with N95 respirator, negative-pressure room
• B. Contact precautions with gloves
• C. Droplet precautions with gown and surgical mask
• D. Standard precautions only

Answer: (A)

Tuberculosis spreads through airborne droplet nuclei that can linger in the air, so preventing transmission requires airborne precautions in addition to standard care. The patient should be placed in a private room with negative pressure and appropriate ventilation (negative-pressure room) and the door kept closed. The room should have adequate air exchanges per hour (usually 6–12) to prevent contaminated air from circulating to other areas. Healthcare workers must wear a fit-tested N95 respirator (not a standard surgical mask) whenever entering the room or providing care. If the patient must be moved, they should wear a mask to reduce dispersion. Standard precautions are always used, but they do not prevent airborne spread, and simply gloves or a surgical mask are not sufficient for active TB.