Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

Varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, is classified as an airborne disease because its virus can be transmitted through respiratory droplets released into the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. To effectively protect against airborne transmission, the use of a specific type of mask, such as an N95 respirator or a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), is recommended. These masks are designed to filter out small airborne particles, ensuring that health care workers and others are shielded from inhaling the virus, especially in settings like hospitals where transmission risk is heightened.

In contrast, other options like HIV, C. diff, and Staph aureus do not require airborne precautions. HIV is primarily transmitted through blood and sexual contact, C. diff is predominantly spread via spores in fecal matter requiring contact precautions, and Staph aureus can be spread through direct contact or contaminated surfaces. Therefore, the need for a specialized mask for Varicella highlights the specific precautions necessary in managing airborne diseases effectively.