Which organism among the following is included in the droplet precautions list from the material?

• A. Diphtheria
• B. Measles
• C. Tuberculosis
• D. Lassa fever

Answer: (A)

Droplet precautions protect against pathogens spread by large respiratory droplets that travel only a short distance, typically about 3 feet from the source. To prevent transmission, healthcare workers wear a surgical mask when they are within that close range, and the patient is usually placed in a single room when feasible, with standard PPE for handling secretions.

Diphtheria fits this mode of spread, since it transmits via respiratory droplets produced when the infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. That’s why it’s included in the droplet precautions list. Measles and tuberculosis, by contrast, are classic airborne diseases and require airborne precautions (such as a negative-pressure room and respirator). Lassa fever is primarily transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids, not droplets, so it is not categorized under droplet precautions.