What type of personal protective equipment should a physical therapist assistant use when treating a patient with active tuberculosis?

When treating a patient with active tuberculosis (TB), a dust-mist respirator is the appropriate type of personal protective equipment (PPE) to use. Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease, meaning that the bacteria can be transmitted through the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. Standard surgical masks and typical PPE, such as gloves or goggles, do not provide adequate protection against airborne pathogens.

A dust-mist respirator, often rated N95 or higher, is specifically designed to filter out small particles and provide a tighter seal around the face to prevent inhalation of infectious aerosols. This level of respiratory protection is critical in healthcare settings where there is a risk of transmission of airborne diseases, thereby ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. The selection of appropriate PPE in these situations is guided by infection control protocols to which physical therapy assistants must adhere to protect themselves and their patients effectively.