Which type of precautions is necessary for diseases such as pneumonia and pertussis?

Droplet precautions are necessary for diseases such as pneumonia and pertussis because these conditions are transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. This means that the pathogens can be spread to others within a short distance, typically within three feet. Implementing droplet precautions involves wearing a surgical mask when in close proximity to the patient, ensuring that patients are placed in a private room or with others who have the same infection, and practicing good hand hygiene.

In contrast, airborne precautions are used for infections that can be transmitted through smaller particles that remain suspended in the air for longer distances, such as tuberculosis. Contact precautions focus on preventing the spread of infections that are transmitted through direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment. Standard precautions are intended for the care of all patients and include practices such as hand hygiene, but they do not specifically address the route of transmission for diseases like pneumonia and pertussis. Therefore, droplet precautions are the most appropriate for these particular infections due to the specific mode of transmission.