Which transmission-based precaution prevents the spread of germs that travel by droplets and uses Standard Precautions plus mask and gloves?

Prepare for the Nurse Aide I Module B – Infection Prevention Test. Leverage multiple choice questions, detailed flashcards, and comprehensive explanations. Ensure your readiness for the exam!

Germs that travel by droplets move in relatively large particles and don’t stay suspended in the air for long; they typically spread to people nearby, within a short distance from the source. To prevent that spread, you layer protection on top of Standard Precautions by using a mask when you’re near the patient and by wearing gloves during care that involves contact with body fluids or contaminated surfaces. The mask blocks droplets from entering your mouth or nose, and gloves prevent your hands from picking up or transferring those droplets. Depending on the situation, eye protection may also be used to guard mucous membranes from splashes. This approach is distinct from airborne precautions, which require an N95 respirator and a negative-pressure room for tiny particles that linger in the air, and from contact precautions, which focus on preventing contact with contaminated surfaces or patient secretions. Universal Precautions is a broader baseline concept, but the specific measures described—mask plus gloves in addition to Standard Precautions—target droplets.