In the context of COVID-19 patient care, what do "airborne and droplet precautions" typically involve?

Wearing masks and utilizing specific ventilation methods is essential in the context of COVID-19 patient care due to the way the virus spreads. COVID-19 can be transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. Airborne precautions are important in situations where the virus can linger in the air for extended periods, especially in enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation.

Masks, particularly N95 respirators or surgical masks, provide a crucial barrier against both large droplets and airborne particles, reducing the risk of inhalation of the virus. Specific ventilation methods, such as using negative pressure rooms in healthcare settings, further minimize the risk by ensuring that the air is effectively filtered and replaced, which helps prevent the virus from spreading to other areas or individuals.

In contrast, the other choices do not fully address the necessary precautions required to protect healthcare workers and other patients effectively. For instance, relying solely on gloves does not protect against respiratory transmission, and physical distancing alone may not be sufficient in high-risk situations, particularly indoors where ventilation may be poor. Additionally, only using personal protective equipment (PPE) in high-risk scenarios could leave healthcare workers vulnerable during routine interactions with infected individuals.