What PPE is mandatory for droplet precautions?

• A. Surgical mask
• B. N-95 mask
• C. Gown
• D. Gloves

Answer: (A)

Droplet precautions protect against larger respiratory droplets that travel only short distances when a person coughs, sneezes, or talks. A surgical mask is the minimum protection needed to block those droplets from reaching your nose and mouth, which is why it’s the standard choice here. An N-95 mask is designed for airborne precautions to filter much smaller particles that can stay in the air, so it isn’t the required option for droplets. Gowns and gloves address contact transmission from secretions or contaminated surfaces and are used based on the risk of contact, not as the base protection against droplets. So the surgical mask is the appropriate mandatory PPE for droplet precautions.