The PRN nurse is caring for a client with AIDS. What type of precautions would be needed?

• A. Gloves, mask, and gown
• B. Standard precautions only
• C. Droplet precautions
• D. Airborne precautions

Answer: (A)

This item is about using appropriate protection for someone with HIV/AIDS. HIV is transmitted through blood and certain body fluids, not through the air or typical casual contact, so you rely on standard precautions for all patients. The protective gear you wear should cover potential exposure to fluids: gloves for any contact with blood or body fluids, a gown to protect clothing and skin, and a mask to shield the face from splashes or sprays that could reach the mucous membranes. Wearing gloves, a mask, and a gown reflects standard protective barriers used in routine care when there’s a risk of body fluids, which is essential in caring for someone with AIDS. Droplet or airborne precautions aren’t required for HIV in the absence of another infection, and listing only standard precautions without specifying the protective gear would miss these common barrier protections.