Reference — Infection Control
Common Isolation Guidelines
Look up what isolation precautions apply to a specific condition. Organized by pathogen and disease — not by precaution type. For PPE selection principles and standard precautions, see Isolation Precautions. For a side-by-side comparison of how contact, droplet, and airborne precautions differ, see Isolation Precautions Reference.
Educational use only. Precaution assignments follow CDC Guideline for Isolation Precautions (2007, updated 2017). Institutional protocols may expand on these minimums. Always confirm current guidance with your facility's infection control department. 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.
Precaution Color Key
Condition-Based Precaution Lookup
| Condition / Pathogen | Precaution |
|---|---|
| Tuberculosis (TB) — active pulmonary/laryngeal | Airborne |
| Measles (rubeola) | Airborne |
| Varicella (chickenpox) | Airborne + Contact |
| Disseminated herpes zoster (shingles) | Airborne + Contact |
| Influenza (seasonal flu) | Droplet |
| Pertussis (whooping cough) | Droplet |
| Meningococcal disease (Neisseria meningitidis) | Droplet |
| Mumps | Droplet |
| Rubella (German measles) | Droplet |
| COVID-19 | Droplet + Contact |
| MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) | Contact |
| VRE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus) | Contact |
| C. difficile (Clostridioides difficile) | Contact |
| RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) | Contact (+ Droplet per some protocols) |
| Scabies | Contact |
| Norovirus / gastroenteritis | Contact |
| Wound infections (draining, MDRO) | Contact |
Clinical Notes by Condition
Tuberculosis (TB) — active pulmonary/laryngeal
AirborneDoor closed at all times. Patient stays in AIIR until 3 consecutive negative AFB sputum smears confirmed.
Measles (rubeola)
AirborneOnly immune staff should enter. Highly contagious — second most infectious disease known.
Varicella (chickenpox)
Airborne + ContactDual precautions required. Only immune staff should enter. Immune status verification essential.
Disseminated herpes zoster (shingles)
Airborne + ContactLocalized zoster in immunocompetent patients requires contact only. Disseminated or immunocompromised: airborne + contact.
Influenza (seasonal flu)
DropletN95 required if performing aerosol-generating procedures. Patient wears mask during transport.
Pertussis (whooping cough)
DropletDroplet precautions until 5 days after the start of effective antibiotic therapy.
Meningococcal disease (Neisseria meningitidis)
DropletPrecautions until 24 hours after initiation of effective antibiotic therapy.
Mumps
DropletDroplet precautions for 5 days after onset of parotid swelling.
Rubella (German measles)
DropletDroplet precautions for 7 days after rash onset. Pregnant staff should avoid exposure.
COVID-19
Droplet + ContactFollow current institutional guidance — protocols vary. N95 required for aerosol-generating procedures.
MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus)
ContactDedicate equipment to room. Soap and water for hand hygiene if visible soiling; ABHR otherwise.
VRE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus)
ContactDedicate equipment. Bleach-based disinfectant for environmental cleaning.
C. difficile (Clostridioides difficile)
ContactSOAP AND WATER ONLY for hand hygiene — ABHR does not kill C. diff spores. Terminal cleaning with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) required.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
Contact (+ Droplet per some protocols)Particularly important in pediatric and immunocompromised patients. Check institutional policy for droplet addition.
Scabies
ContactPrecautions maintained until treatment completed. Crusted (Norwegian) scabies requires strict contact precautions and is highly contagious.
Norovirus / gastroenteritis
ContactSoap and water preferred for hand hygiene — ABHR has limited efficacy against norovirus. Bleach-based cleaning of environment.
Wound infections (draining, MDRO)
ContactApplies when wound cannot be contained by dressing. Dedicate wound care supplies to the patient.
NCLEX Quick Tips
- Airborne — N95 + negative pressure room + door closed: TB, measles, varicella — memorize all three
- Droplet — surgical mask: influenza, pertussis, meningococcal — door may stay open
- Contact — gloves + gown: MRSA, VRE, C. diff, scabies — dedicate equipment to room
- C. diff = soap and water: ABHR does NOT kill C. diff spores — this is a classic NCLEX distinction
- Varicella = airborne + contact: dual precautions; only immune staff should enter
- Patient transport: airborne and droplet patients wear a surgical mask (not N95) during transport
- Standard precautions: always applied to every patient — transmission-based precautions are added on top, not instead of
Related Resources
Standards & sources
Fact-checked Jun 21, 2026This page is written to align with American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards of Practice · The Joint Commission. 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 →