Upon entering a room under high-risk isolation precautions, what personal protective equipment should be worn?

In a high-risk isolation environment, wearing a gown, gloves, and an N95 respirator is critical for providing comprehensive protection against potential infectious agents. Each item of personal protective equipment serves a specific purpose to minimize the risk of exposure.

The gown protects the skin and personal clothing from contamination with infectious materials. Gloves provide a barrier against pathogens while handling items or performing procedures in the isolation area. An N95 respirator is designed to filter out airborne particles that may contain pathogens, offering respiratory protection that is essential in environments where airborne transmission is a risk.

Using all three pieces—gown, gloves, and N95 respirator—ensures that healthcare workers are safeguarded from multiple routes of transmission, including contact, droplet, and airborne, which is the main reason why this combination is mandated in high-risk isolation situations. This equipment together helps maintain both patient and healthcare worker safety in an environment where the risk of infection is amplified.