Chart — NCLEX Success
Isolation Precautions Quick Review
A rapid-reference comparison of standard, contact, droplet, and airborne isolation precautions — PPE requirements, room type, transport rules, and common pathogen examples for NCLEX and clinical practice.
Educational use only. Based on CDC Transmission-Based Precautions guidelines. Facility policies may add additional requirements. Always follow your facility's infection control protocols and current CDC guidance, particularly for emerging pathogens. 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.
Quick Comparison
| Precaution | Mask/Respirator | Gown | Gloves | Room Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | If splash risk | If contact/splash risk | If body fluid contact | Any |
| Contact | Not required | Yes — on entry | Yes — on entry | Private preferred |
| Droplet | Surgical mask within ~6 ft | If secretion contact | If secretion contact | Private preferred |
| Airborne | N95 respirator (fit-tested) | If contact/splash risk | If contact/splash risk | Negative pressure (AIIR) |
Standard Precautions
Transmission Route
All patients — used universally regardless of diagnosis
Room Requirement
Any room — no special requirement
PPE Required
- Gloves — contact with blood/body fluids, mucous membranes, nonintact skin
- Gown — risk of splash/spray or contact with contaminated surfaces
- Mask/eye protection — risk of splashing to mucous membranes
- N95 — during aerosol-generating procedures (not routine standard)
Common Examples
Key NCLEX Rule
Treat all patients as potentially infectious for blood/body fluid exposure — always.
Contact Precautions
Transmission Route
Direct or indirect contact with patient or environment
Room Requirement
Private room preferred; cohort with same infection if unavailable
PPE Required
- Gloves — required before entering room
- Gown — required before entering room
- Mask — not required for contact alone
- Eye protection — only if splash risk
Common Examples
Key NCLEX Rule
Don gloves and gown before entering room. For C. diff: soap and water for hand hygiene — alcohol-based hand rub is NOT effective.
Droplet Precautions
Transmission Route
Large respiratory droplets (> 5 microns) — within ~3–6 feet of patient
Room Requirement
Private room preferred; keep door closed recommended but not required
PPE Required
- Surgical mask — required when within 3–6 feet or entering room
- Gloves — for contact with secretions
- Gown — if risk of contact with secretions
- N95 — not required for droplet alone (unless combined with airborne)
Common Examples
Key NCLEX Rule
Surgical mask within 3–6 feet. Door does not need to be under negative pressure for droplet alone.
Airborne Precautions
Transmission Route
Tiny airborne particles (≤ 5 microns) that remain suspended in air and travel > 3 feet
Room Requirement
Negative pressure room (AIIR — Airborne Infection Isolation Room). Keep door closed at all times.
PPE Required
- N95 respirator (fit-tested) — required before entering room
- Gloves — for contact with secretions
- Gown — if contact with patient or environment
- Eye protection — if splash risk
Common Examples
Key NCLEX Rule
N95 (fit-tested) — not a surgical mask. Negative pressure room with door CLOSED. TB is the classic NCLEX airborne organism.
Combined Precautions
| Organism/Condition | Precaution Type | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 | Droplet + Contact (+ Airborne for aerosol-generating procedures) | Facility policy varies; N95 recommended for AGPs |
| Varicella / Disseminated Zoster | Airborne + Contact | N95 + negative pressure + gown/gloves; immune staff preferred |
| Localized Herpes Zoster (shingles) | Contact only | Lesions must be covered; not airborne unless disseminated |
| Ebola / Viral Hemorrhagic Fever | Contact + Droplet + Airborne (facility-specific) | PPE donning/doffing per strict protocol; specialist guidance required |
| RSV (infant) | Contact + Droplet | Both transmission routes possible; use both precaution types |
NCLEX Pearls
- ✦TB = airborne = N95 + negative pressure room. This is the #1 NCLEX airborne question.
- ✦C. diff = contact precautions + soap and water hand hygiene (alcohol-based rubs are NOT effective).
- ✦N95 requires fit-testing — a surgical mask is NOT a substitute for airborne precautions.
- ✦Airborne isolation room must maintain negative pressure — keep door closed at all times.
- ✦MRSA and VRE = contact precautions; meningococcal meningitis = droplet precautions.
- ✦Standard precautions apply to ALL patients — even if no transmission-based precautions are in place.
- ✦When combining precautions (e.g., airborne + contact), use PPE requirements of both types.
Related Resources
Standards & sources
Fact-checked Jun 21, 2026This page is written to align with CDC Transmission-Based Precautions Guidelines. 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 →