When is it appropriate to use an N95 respirator?

• A. When caring for patients with airborne diseases requiring respiratory protection.
• B. For all patients regardless of infection status.
• C. Only during chemical spills.
• D. Never; a surgical mask suffices.

Answer: (A)

When respiratory protection is needed due to airborne transmission, you want a device that both filters small inhaled particles and fits tightly to the face. An N95 respirator is designed for that purpose: it filters at least 95% of airborne particles when worn with a proper seal, and it must be fit-tested with a seal check each time you don it. That combination provides meaningful protection for the wearer against airborne diseases that spread through aerosols, such as tuberculosis, measles, varicella, and certain cases of COVID-19, especially during aerosol-generating procedures.

This is why it’s appropriate to use an N95 when caring for patients with airborne diseases requiring respiratory protection. It’s not a universal shield for every patient or situation, and a surgical mask does not offer the same level of filtration or fit for protection against inhaled aerosols. For chemical spills, different respirators with appropriate chemical cartridges are usually required.