What is the purpose of wearing an N95 respirator in airborne precautions?

• A. It is used to protect eyes from splashes.
• B. It filters air drawn from outside the room.
• C. It is a type of respirator worn on the face.
• D. It is worn to reduce inhalation of airborne particles.

Answer: (D)

In airborne precautions, the goal is to prevent inhalation of tiny airborne particles that could carry infectious agents. An N95 respirator fits tightly on the face and uses filters that block at least 95% of these particles when worn correctly. This directly reduces the amount of infectious aerosols the wearer inhales, which is why this option best describes its purpose. Other statements describe related aspects that aren’t the primary purpose: eye protection guards the eyes from splashes, outside-room air filtration is about environmental control rather than personal inhalation protection, and simply noting that it’s worn on the face doesn’t convey its protective effect.