What type of transmission-based precaution requires the health care worker to wear gloves and gown?

• A. Droplet
• B. Standard
• C. Airborne
• D. Contact

Answer: (D)

The correct answer pertains to Contact precautions, which are specifically designed to prevent the transmission of pathogens that can be spread through direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient's environment. Under these precautions, the use of gloves and gowns is essential for healthcare workers to protect themselves and prevent the spread of infectious agents.

Contact precautions are particularly important for infections that are spread through skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. By requiring the use of gloves, healthcare workers can minimize the risk of transferring pathogens from one patient to another or from the environment to themselves. Wearing gowns further protects against contamination of clothing and skin.

In contrast, other types of transmission-based precautions, such as Droplet and Airborne, have different requirements. Droplet precautions typically require the use of masks to prevent inhalation of droplets that may contain infectious agents. Airborne precautions necessitate respirators and specialized air handling to prevent inhalation of smaller airborne particles. Standard precautions, while foundational, apply to all patients regardless of known or suspected infection status and include basic practices like hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment as needed, but do not focus specifically on isolation from contact transmission.