What type of precautions should be used for a patient diagnosed with pertussis?

For a patient diagnosed with pertussis, the appropriate type of precautions to implement are droplet precautions. Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Therefore, using droplet precautions is essential in preventing transmission.

Droplet precautions involve several key practices, such as wearing a surgical mask when caring for the patient, ensuring that the patient wears a mask when they are being transported outside their isolation room, and maintaining a safe distance from others when possible. These measures help to limit the spread of respiratory droplets that could contain the bacteria responsible for pertussis.

In contrast, airborne precautions are required for infections that are spread through smaller droplets that can remain suspended in the air for longer periods and are not necessarily stopped by surgical masks. Standard precautions apply universally to all patients, regardless of the diagnosis, but are not specific to pertussis. Contact precautions focus on preventing the transmission of pathogens that are spread by direct or indirect contact, which is not the main mode of transmission for pertussis. Thus, implementing droplet precautions is the most suitable protective measure in the context of pertussis.