American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What type of isolation is required for patients with Neisseria meningitidis?

1. Airborne isolation

2. Contact isolation

3. Droplet isolation

4. Standard isolation

The correct answer is: Droplet isolation

Neisseria meningitidis is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets and direct contact with respiratory secretions from an infected person. Therefore, droplet isolation is required to prevent the spread of the bacteria, particularly in situations where the patient may cough, sneeze, or talk, creating droplets that can be inhaled by others. Droplet isolation involves placing the patient in a private room and ensuring that healthcare personnel wear masks when they are within a close distance to the patient. This practice minimizes the risk of transmitting the organism to other patients or healthcare workers. In contrast, other types of isolation, such as airborne isolation, are necessary for different pathogens that are transmitted through smaller droplets that can remain suspended in the air over distance, and contact isolation is focused on preventing the spread of infections through direct contact with infected surfaces or persons. Standard isolation practices apply generally to all patients, regardless of their diagnosis, but do not specifically address the unique transmission risks posed by Neisseria meningitidis.