A 3-year-old with high fever, headache, stiff neck, abdominal rash, and photophobia: which Standard Precautions should be taken?

• A. gown, eye protection and gloves
• B. eye protection, mask, and gloves
• C. eye protection and gloves
• D. gloves and a gown

Answer: (B)

Droplet precautions are the right approach when there is a concern for meningitis with possible meningococcemia, since the patient can spread respiratory droplets through coughing, sneezing, or close contact. The signs—high fever, headache, stiff neck, photophobia, and a rash—flag meningitis as a possibility, so protecting the caregiver’s eyes, airway, and hands is essential. A mask blocks respiratory droplets from reaching the mouth and nose, eye protection guards the mucous membranes, and gloves prevent contact with infectious secretions. A gown isn’t routinely required unless you expect splash or contact with bodily fluids, which isn’t stated here. The option that includes only eye protection and gloves or omits the mask does not fully cover the droplet risk, and including a gown without addressing the mask and eye protection isn’t appropriate for this scenario.