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Discussion

N95 Mask

Hi all!

So, I am in a med-surg clinical this semester and we will be working in negative pressure rooms using n95 masks.

I have concerns about this and am also not totally sure of how the n95 masks work. We got fit-tested last semester - our instructor sprayed some sweet stuff into the hood we were wearing and we were supposed to say if we smelled/tasted it while moving around.

Honestly, I was kind of confused during the process and am not sure if I rinsed my mouth well the first time. I wasn't *totally* sure if I was smelling/tasting it or not. I also was recovering from a slight cold, so not sure how my sinuses were working.

Anyways, I never said I detected the sweet smell/taste, so I was recorded as a small. I really just went along with the process, not fully understanding its importance.

So, now I'm concerned for this next week of clinical. Should I tell my instructor? Or am I worrying about it for nothing? I *think* I am a small, but not 100%. I put the mask on my face that I have from when we got fitted, and it seems to fit around my face.

Any responses to my concern are appreciated. I don't want to catch TB. Ain't got time for that.

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    The N95 fit testing uses either a sweet tasting substance or a bitter one and isn't dependent upon smell. If you're not certain of the size and how to use the N95 masks, ask your instructor to go over it again and possibly fit-test you again. I've done the fit testing and been fit-tested, I know what masks will fit my face and how to use them... but I'm not going to go over that with you because that's something your instructor needs to do so that you will be sure you have a good fit and benefit from the additional filtering that these masks can do.

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    The risk of contracting TB is minimal unless you spend a prolonged peroid of time with the pt. Ie 8 hrs or longer,

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    I agree with just asking your instructor to fit test you again. Be honest and let her know that you were congested and your senses were off because of it and now you are not sure if you were fit correctly. The instructors would rather have you safe then sorry. The risk of transmission and then having active TB are pretty small so it's not the most major thing to worry about. But everything you can do to protect yourself from nasties in the hospital is good. You didn't realize the importance if a good fit before, but now you do, so just tell the instructor and have her help you.

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