Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

The standard precautions for droplet transmission specifically emphasize the importance of wearing a mask when within three feet of a patient who is known or suspected to be transmitting infectious agents through respiratory droplets. This practice is essential as droplets can be expelled through coughing, sneezing, or talking, and they can travel a short distance before settling on surfaces.

In addition to wearing a mask, wearing gloves is also appropriate when there is a possibility of contact with respiratory secretions or contaminated surfaces. While gowns, goggles, and other protective equipment are important in different contexts or types of transmission, the combination of a mask and gloves directly addresses the specific risk of droplet transmission. This is because the mask provides a barrier to inhalation of infectious droplets, and gloves protect against contact with potentially infectious materials.

Thus, this choice encompasses both critical components of infection control for droplet precautions, ensuring that healthcare providers are safeguarded against potential exposure to pathogens in respiratory secretions.