What isolation precaution is appropriate for infants who tested positive for MRSA?

What isolation precaution is appropriate for infants who tested positive for MRSA?

• A. Contact isolation
• B. Droplet isolation
• C. Airborne isolation
• D. Standard precautions

Answer: (A)

MRSA spreads primarily through direct contact with infected skin or with surfaces that MRSA has contaminated. Because the main route of transmission is touch, the protective approach most effective for an infant who tested positive is contact precautions. This means gloves and a gown are worn for all interactions with the infant, and strict hand hygiene is performed before and after contact. Use dedicated or thoroughly cleaned equipment and ensure environmental cleaning of high-touch surfaces. Standard precautions are used for all patients, but an added layer of protection is needed for MRSA to prevent spread to other babies. Droplet precautions are for infections spread by respiratory droplets, and airborne precautions for pathogens that travel through the air; neither is the primary concern with MRSA in this context. In the NICU, enforcing contact precautions helps minimize transmission via staff hands or shared equipment to other vulnerable neonates.

MRSA spreads primarily through direct contact with infected skin or with surfaces that MRSA has contaminated. Because the main route of transmission is touch, the protective approach most effective for an infant who tested positive is contact precautions. This means gloves and a gown are worn for all interactions with the infant, and strict hand hygiene is performed before and after contact. Use dedicated or thoroughly cleaned equipment and ensure environmental cleaning of high-touch surfaces. Standard precautions are used for all patients, but an added layer of protection is needed for MRSA to prevent spread to other babies. Droplet precautions are for infections spread by respiratory droplets, and airborne precautions for pathogens that travel through the air; neither is the primary concern with MRSA in this context. In the NICU, enforcing contact precautions helps minimize transmission via staff hands or shared equipment to other vulnerable neonates.