Chart — Infection Control
Common Organism Precautions
Quick reference for precaution type, PPE requirements, hand hygiene method, and key nursing considerations for common pathogens encountered in clinical practice.
Educational use only. Based on CDC isolation precaution guidelines. Facility protocols may require stricter precautions for specific organisms or outbreak settings. This material supports nursing education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional policy, or medical direction. Always follow facility protocols and current provider orders.
All Organisms — Quick Reference
| Organism | Precaution | Gloves | Gown | Mask | N95 | Hand Hygiene |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRSA | Contact | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ABHR or soap+water |
| VRE | Contact | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ABHR or soap+water |
| C. difficile | Contact | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | Soap + water ONLY |
| CRE | Contact (enhanced at many facilities) | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ABHR or soap+water |
| ESBL organisms | Contact | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ABHR or soap+water |
| Scabies | Contact | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ABHR or soap+water |
| Influenza | Droplet (+ Standard) | Sit. | Sit. | Surgical mask within 3–6 ft | — | ABHR or soap+water |
| RSV | Contact + Droplet | ✓ on room entry | ✓ on room entry | Surg. | — | ABHR or soap+water |
| Pertussis (Whooping cough) | Droplet | Sit. | Sit. | Surg. | — | ABHR or soap+water |
| Meningococcal meningitis | Droplet | Sit. | Sit. | Surg. | — | ABHR or soap+water |
| Tuberculosis (TB) | Airborne | Sit. | Sit. | N95 (fit-tested) on room entry | REQ | ABHR or soap+water |
| Measles (Rubeola) | Airborne | Sit. | Sit. | N95 (fit-tested) on room entry | REQ | ABHR or soap+water |
| Varicella / Chickenpox | Airborne + Contact | ✓ on room entry | ✓ on room entry | N95 (fit-tested) on room entry | REQ | ABHR or soap+water |
| Herpes Zoster (localized) | Contact (standard in immunocompetent with covered lesions) | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ABHR or soap+water |
| Norovirus | Contact | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | Soap + water preferred |
Sit. = Situational (when contact or splash risk anticipated) · REQ = Required
Organism Detail Cards
MRSAMDROContact
Nasal colonization is common; decolonization with mupirocin + CHG bathing. Soap and water for wound care. Clean equipment between patients.
Room: Private; dedicated equipmentHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
VREMDROContact
Survives on dry surfaces for weeks to months. Enhanced environmental cleaning required. No decolonization protocol available.
Room: Private; dedicated equipment; environmental cleaning criticalHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
C. difficileMDRO / GIContact
CRITICAL: ABHR does NOT kill C. diff spores — soap and water mandatory. Spores survive on surfaces months. Contact precautions for entire stay regardless of symptom resolution.
Room: Private with private bathroom; sporicidal (bleach-based) cleaningHand hygiene: Soap + water ONLY
CREMDROContact (enhanced at many facilities)
Very limited treatment options. Enhanced contact precautions may be required. Screen high-risk patients (recent foreign healthcare exposure). Remove invasive devices ASAP.
Room: Private; report to infection control immediatelyHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
ESBL organismsMDROContact
Most common in E. coli and Klebsiella. Common in UTIs and wounds. Antibiotic stewardship is key. Culture and sensitivity mandatory for treatment.
Room: Private preferredHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
ScabiesParasiticContact
Crusted (Norwegian) scabies: more contagious; strict contact precautions. Treat patient and close contacts simultaneously. Notify housekeeping for room terminal cleaning.
Room: Private; bag and launder all linens and clothingHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
InfluenzaRespiratoryDroplet (+ Standard)
Surgical mask is sufficient — N95 NOT required for droplet precautions alone. Patient wears mask during transport. Annual staff vaccination is primary prevention.
Room: Private preferred; spatial separation ≥3 ft if unavailableHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
RSVRespiratoryContact + Droplet
High-risk for immunocompromised and young infants. Both contact and droplet precautions required. Clean shared equipment between patients.
Room: Private preferredHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
Pertussis (Whooping cough)RespiratoryDroplet
Paroxysmal cough with inspiratory 'whoop.' Post-exposure prophylaxis with azithromycin for close contacts. Staff vaccination (Tdap) is primary prevention.
Room: Private preferredHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
Meningococcal meningitisRespiratoryDroplet
Life-threatening emergency. Post-exposure prophylaxis (rifampin or ciprofloxacin) for close contacts without PPE. Precautions can be discontinued 24 hours after effective antibiotic therapy is started.
Room: Private preferred; droplet precautions until 24 hours after antibiotic initiationHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
Tuberculosis (TB)AirborneAirborne
N95 is mandatory — surgical mask provides NO protection. AIIR door must remain closed. Patient wears surgical mask during transport (limits particle dispersal). Confirm AIIR negative pressure daily.
Room: AIIR — negative pressure, ≥12 ACH, door CLOSED at all timesHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
Measles (Rubeola)AirborneAirborne
Highly contagious (R0 ~12–18). Immune staff only when possible. Airborne particles remain infectious for up to 2 hours in a room after the patient leaves. Verify vaccination status of all staff.
Room: AIIR — negative pressure; immune (vaccinated or prior measles) staff preferredHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
Varicella / ChickenpoxAirborne + ContactAirborne + Contact
Requires BOTH airborne and contact precautions. Active (not crusted) lesions are infectious. Immune (vaccinated or prior varicella) staff preferred. Disseminated zoster also requires airborne + contact.
Room: AIIR — negative pressure; immune staff only for active lesion careHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
Herpes Zoster (localized)ContactContact (standard in immunocompetent with covered lesions)
Localized, covered zoster in immunocompetent host: contact precautions. Disseminated zoster or zoster in immunocompromised patient: airborne + contact (treat like varicella).
Room: Private preferred; keep lesions coveredHand hygiene: ABHR or soap+water
NorovirusGIContact
ABHR has limited effectiveness against norovirus — soap and water preferred. Highly contagious via fecal-oral route and aerosolization during vomiting. Restrict symptomatic staff.
Room: Private; strict environmental cleaning; restrict symptomatic staff from patient careHand hygiene: Soap + water preferred
NCLEX Pearls
- ✦TB = airborne precautions. N95 (fit-tested) + negative pressure room. Door stays CLOSED at all times.
- ✦C. diff and norovirus = soap and water only. ABHR does NOT kill spores.
- ✦Varicella (chickenpox) and disseminated zoster = airborne + contact precautions combined.
- ✦Localized zoster in an immunocompetent patient with covered lesions = contact precautions only.
- ✦Measles: airborne precautions; room remains infectious for up to 2 hours after patient leaves.
- ✦MRSA, VRE, C. diff, CRE = contact precautions (gloves and gown on room entry).
- ✦Influenza = droplet precautions. Surgical mask within 3–6 feet. N95 not required for routine care.
- ✦RSV = contact + droplet precautions combined.
Related Resources
Transmission-Based PrecautionsContact, droplet, and airborne — full implementation guide
Open →Isolation Precautions ReferenceContact, droplet, airborne comparison table
Open →Isolation Precautions Comparison ChartPPE, room, transport, and organism examples side-by-side
Open →Multidrug-Resistant Organisms ReferenceMRSA, VRE, ESBL, CRE, C. diff — nursing considerations and treatment
Open →PPE Selection MatrixClinical situation × PPE requirements — visual decision chart
Open →Standard PrecautionsHand hygiene, PPE, and the universal infection prevention foundation
Open →Standards & sources
Fact-checked Jun 21, 2026This page is written to align with CDC Isolation Precautions Guidelines / HICPAC. It is an educational summary, not a citation of any single document — always verify specific doses, values, and protocols against current guidelines and your facility policy. How we source content →