North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam 2025 – The Comprehensive All-In-One Guide to Exam Success!

In situations involving patients with tuberculosis (TB), it is critical for EMTs to use a HEPA or N-95 mask. This is due to the airborne nature of TB, which can be transmitted through droplets that are suspended in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

A HEPA or N-95 mask is specifically designed to filter out very small particles, including the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium, offering a high level of protection for both the healthcare provider and other patients. These masks have a tight fit and superior filtration capabilities, making them essential in scenarios where airborne pathogens are a concern.

Other types of masks, such as surgical masks or cloth masks, do not provide the same level of filtration and are not adequate for protection against airborne TB, as they are primarily designed to protect against larger respiratory droplets rather than the fine aerosols that contain TB bacteria. In some cases, not wearing a mask at all would expose the EMT to significant risk, as TB is a serious infectious disease, and proper precautions must always be taken in its presence.