Which of the following is not a type of transmission-based precaution?

• A. Universal
• B. Airborne
• C. Droplet
• D. Contact

Answer: (A)

Standard precautions (often called universal precautions) are the baseline practices used with all patients to prevent exposure to blood and bodily fluids. Transmission-based precautions are additional measures applied specifically for patients with infections that spread in particular ways, and they’re defined by the route of transmission: airborne, droplet, or contact. Since universal/standard precautions apply to everyone and aren’t tied to a specific transmission route, they’re not considered a transmission-based precaution. The other three options—airborne, droplet, and contact—are the actual transmission-based categories. In practice, you tailor precautions to the transmission mode: airborne with special rooms and respirators, droplet with closer-range masking, and contact with gowns and gloves.