A patient with chickenpox (varicella) is admitted. What type of precautions are required?

Question

Accepted Answer

Airborne and contact precautions. Chickenpox (varicella) requires both airborne and contact precautions because the varicella-zoster virus spreads through airborne particles (microscopic droplet nuclei that remain suspended in air) as well as direct contact with rash lesions. Airborne precautions include placing the patient in a negative-pressure room and using an N95 respirator. Droplet precautions alone (A) are insufficient. Contact precautions alone (B) do not address airborne spread. Airborne precautions alone (C) do not address contact transmission from lesions.