help with understanding isolation?

[IHeartPeds87]

Hi everyone, I am a little confused regarding isolation.

Take, for example, pneumonia. I know that pneumonia is classified under droplet precautions, so if caring for a patient with pneumonia you would need to wear a regular mask if being within 3 feet of the patient.

What I don't understand, is, why people wear gowns? I was under the impression that gowns were a contact precaution thing.

I am asking for purposes of nclex studying....

Thanks so much!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

The CDC is your friend on this! This says for oncology, but it applies to all.

Transmission-Based Precautions | Infection Control and Prevention Plan for Outpatient Oncology Settings | HAI | CDC

Here's a PDF you can download, too.

http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/isolation/Isolation2007.pdf

[level1]

Infection control is a funny thing. I find that at the hospital I'm at, most everyone wears gown & gloves for any isolation patient. I find myself gowning for droplet even though I technically don't need it (out of habit). My studying reasons I'd learn PPE specific to the disease as mode of transmission.