Which routes are covered by transmission-based precautions in addition to standard precautions?

• A. Only airborne routes.
• B. Airborne, droplet, or contact routes.
• C. Only contact with blood.
• D. Only enteric routes.

Answer: (B)

Transmission-based precautions are added to standard precautions to prevent spread of infection through specific routes. They cover three routes: airborne, droplet, and contact. Airborne precautions protect against tiny particles that can stay in the air and travel long distances, requiring a negative-pressure room and an N95 respirator. Droplet precautions target larger particles that travel short distances, typically needing a mask when near the patient. Contact precautions focus on preventing transmission through direct or indirect contact, requiring gloves and a gown. Some infections may require combinations of these precautions, which is why the option recognizing all three routes is the best choice. The other options describe only one route or a limited scenario and don’t reflect the full scope of transmission-based precautions.