Respiratory infections are among the most common and most transmissible in home care. Understanding mask types, their limitations, and when each is appropriate prevents respiratory pathogen transmission in both directions.

Section 01

Mask Types and What They Do

🔵

Surgical/procedure mask

Loose-fitting, fluid-resistant. Primarily source control — protects others from the wearer's secretions — and provides some protection from large droplets and splashes. Does not form a seal. Required for droplet precautions.

🟡

N95 respirator

Filters at least 95% of airborne particles when properly fitted and sealed. Required for airborne precautions (TB, measles, varicella). Must be fit-tested — improperly fitted N95 provides significantly reduced protection.

⚪

Cloth/fabric mask

Variable protection. Not appropriate as PPE in clinical care. May be worn by clients for source control but should not substitute for surgical masks in caregiving situations.

Section 02

When to Use a Mask in Home Care

  • Client has known/suspected respiratory illness: Surgical mask minimum during close contact.
  • Aerosol-generating procedures: Suctioning, nebulizer treatments, oral care.
  • Client on droplet precautions: Influenza, pertussis — mask for all close contact.
  • You are symptomatic: A mask protects your clients if you have respiratory symptoms. Ideally, you are not working while symptomatic.
  • TB in the household: N95 required — not a surgical mask.
Section 03

Common Mask Errors

⚠ Errors that eliminate protection
  • Wearing mask below the nose — nose is primary respiratory entry point
  • Touching the front of the mask during wear — the front of a used mask is contaminated
  • Leaving the mask hanging around the neck — contaminates both inside and outside
  • Reusing single-use masks across multiple visits
  • Sharing masks
Section 04

When Caregivers Should Not Work

🚨 Symptomatic caregivers and client safety
No mask fully protects clients from a symptomatic caregiver in sustained close contact. Follow agency policy: fever = do not work until fever-free 24 hours without medication. Active respiratory symptoms = report to supervisor. Protecting clients from your illness is an ethical responsibility.
Section 05

Mask Removal

✓ Remove by ear loops only — never touch the front
The front surface of a used mask is contaminated. Remove using ear loops or ties only, fold outward, and dispose immediately. Perform hand hygiene after mask removal.
Knowledge Check

Lesson 2 Quiz

5 questions · Passing score: 80%
Question 1
A surgical mask differs from an N95 respirator in that:
Question 2
A client has active pulmonary tuberculosis. The required respiratory protection for home visits is:
Question 3
Leaving a surgical mask hanging around the neck between contacts is unsafe because:
Question 4
A caregiver has mild cold symptoms but no fever. Regarding home care visits they should:
Question 5
When should a mask be worn even when the client has no known respiratory illness?