What type of isolation is required for a patient with a suspected tuberculosis infection?

• A. Contact isolation.
• B. Droplet isolation.
• C. Standard precautions.
• D. Airborne isolation; negative pressure room and N95 mask.

Answer: (D)

Airborne pathogens like tuberculosis spread through tiny droplet nuclei that can stay suspended in the air and travel beyond the patient’s immediate surroundings. To prevent transmission, isolation must contain those aerosols. A negative-pressure room keeps the air from flowing out into other areas, by drawing air into the room and exhausting it away, helping prevent the contaminated air from circulating. Healthcare workers enter only with a properly fitted N95 respirator to protect their lungs from inhaling the infectious particles. If the patient must be moved, precautions like wearing a mask and minimizing movement are important. This approach is different from contact isolation (gloves and gown for direct contact), droplet precautions (surgical mask for larger droplets within a short distance), and standard precautions (applied to all patients but not specific to airborne spread).