What type of mask should a nurse wear for airborne precautions with a tuberculosis patient?

When caring for a patient with tuberculosis, the appropriate mask for airborne precautions is the N95 respirator mask. This type of mask is specifically designed to filter out very small particles, including those that may carry infectious agents such as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.

Airborne precautions are essential because tuberculosis is transmitted through the air when a person coughs or sneezes, releasing infectious droplets that can remain suspended in the air for extended periods. The N95 respirator is capable of filtering out at least 95% of airborne particles, providing the nurse with a high level of protection from inhaling these pathogens.

In contrast, a surgical mask primarily protects others from the wearer’s respiratory droplets rather than filtering incoming air, making it inadequate for preventing airborne transmission of diseases like tuberculosis. A cloth mask lacks the necessary filtration quality required for airborne pathogens, and while a full-face respirator may offer a higher level of protection than an N95, it is not typically required or practical for most standard patient interactions involving tuberculosis. Thus, the N95 respirator is the standard of care for healthcare workers in this scenario.