Master Droplet-Airborne Precautions with Picmonic for Nursing RN

Pathogens that are considered droplet are defined as being larger than 5 microns in size. At this size, particles can remain suspended in the air for a short period of time, and can infect susceptible recipients as they pass by.

The distance a droplet can travel in the air depends on a variety of factors. However, as a general rule anyone that is going to be within three feet of an infected patient needs to wear proper PPE.

Masks are used during invasive procedures when respiratory secretions are present or when the patient is on Droplet or Respiratory Precautions.

A patient that is being worked up for influenza is a common cause for placing a patient on Droplet Precaution. Other infections that would require Droplet Precaution would be Meningitis and Pertussis.

Also known as a Negative Pressure Room, these rooms pull air into the room and are not connected to the hospital's circulating air ducts. The door needs to remain closed at all times to keep the negative pressure in the room.

Pathogens that are smaller than 5 microns in size can be suspended in the air for a longer distance by the air current and be infectious for a longer period of time. This means that direct patient interaction does not need to occur for a recipient to be infected.

Staff members that will be caring for a patient in Airborne isolation are required to wear a N95 or higher-level respirator. Being “fit tested” by your healthcare organization is required before using these masks. These respirators are specially made to prevent the inhalation of pathogens that are smaller than 5 microns.

Patients that are being treated for tuberculosis, rubeola (measles), and disseminated varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox) require AIIR and the use of a specialized respirator.