ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

Protective or "reverse" isolation is necessary in which condition?

1. Tuberculosis only

2. Tuberculosis and burns only

3. Burns and leukemia only

4. Tuberculosis, burns, and leukemia

The correct answer is: Burns and leukemia only

Protective or "reverse" isolation is specifically necessary for patients who have weakened immune systems, such as those with conditions like burns or leukemia. These patients are at a higher risk of infections because their bodies may not be able to effectively combat pathogens. Leukemia, a type of cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, significantly compromises the immune system. This makes patients particularly susceptible to infections, thus requiring protective measures in healthcare settings to minimize exposure to infectious agents. Burn patients also require reverse isolation. Severe burns can damage the skin barrier, which normally acts as a protective shield against pathogens. When this barrier is compromised, the risk of infection rises, and isolation practices are needed to protect these patients from environmental pathogens that could lead to severe complications. Tuberculosis, on the other hand, requires its own form of isolation known as respiratory isolation. This is crucial because tuberculosis spreads through airborne transmission and poses a risk to others, rather than directly increasing the patient's vulnerability to infections. In summary, protective isolation is most pertinent for patients with burns and leukemia, as these conditions necessitate safeguarding against potential infections due to their impaired immune defenses.