Staphylococcus aureus infection requires which type of isolation precautions?

Prepare for the Registered Respiratory Therapist CSE with comprehensive flashcards and multiple-choice questions, including hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Staphylococcus aureus is spread primarily by direct contact with infected wounds or contaminated surfaces, so preventing transmission relies on wearing gowns and gloves and managing equipment carefully. This is why contact precautions are used: they add gloves and gown for all patient care, place the patient in a private room or with another S. aureus patient when possible, and ensure dedicated equipment to minimize cross-contamination. Standard precautions are always in place, but extra contact precautions are added for active infection or colonization to curb skin and wound spread. Droplet precautions protect against respiratory droplets, requiring masks for close contact, and airborne precautions require a negative-pressure room and respirator—neither fits the typical transmission pattern of Staphylococcus aureus.