COPE Health Scholars Practice Test

What masks are required for airborne-based transmission precautions?

1. Surgical masks

2. N95 respirator or PAPR mask

3. Cloth masks

4. No masks required

The correct answer is: N95 respirator or PAPR mask

Airborne transmission precautions require the use of specialized masks designed to filter out very small particles, which may be present in the air. The N95 respirator and Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) masks are specifically designed to provide a higher level of protection than standard surgical or cloth masks. N95 respirators are capable of filtering out at least 95% of airborne particles, including those that are much smaller than those filtered by surgical masks. They fit tightly to the face, reducing the likelihood of inhalation of airborne infectious agents. PAPR masks offer an even greater level of protection as they use a battery-operated blower to pull air through a filter and deliver it into a hood or helmet that covers the entire head, providing a continuous flow of filtered air. In comparison, surgical masks are primarily designed to prevent large droplets from a source, such as a healthcare worker, from reaching a patient. They do not provide a tight seal against the face and therefore do not protect against smaller airborne particles effectively. Cloth masks, while useful in certain settings, have not been proven to filter out airborne pathogens to a clinically effective degree, making them unsuitable for airborne precautions. Thus, the requirement for airborne-based transmission precautions is necessitated by the