What type of isolation precautions should be used for a patient diagnosed with meningitis?

For a patient diagnosed with meningitis, the type of isolation precautions that should be implemented is primarily droplet precautions. This is because meningitis, especially when caused by certain bacteria like Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae, can be transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Droplet precautions involve the use of a surgical mask when within three feet of the patient and ensuring that shared spaces are well-ventilated. While standard precautions are universally applied in healthcare settings, they are not specific enough for preventing the transmission of pathogens that can occur with meningitis.

Contact precautions are generally reserved for infections spread by direct contact, while airborne precautions are necessary for diseases transmitted over longer distances through the air, such as tuberculosis or measles. Therefore, while several precautions may be relevant in broader contexts, droplet precautions are specifically indicated for meningitis to ensure the safety and health of both the patient and healthcare providers.