What is a key reason for using gloves and gowns with airborne precautions?

The primary purpose of using gloves and gowns with airborne precautions is to prevent the spread of pathogens. Airborne precautions are essential when dealing with infections that can be transmitted through the air, such as tuberculosis or measles. By wearing gloves and gowns, healthcare workers establish a barrier that minimizes the risk of transferring infectious agents to themselves or to other environments.

This protective equipment plays a crucial role in infection control, especially in healthcare settings where individuals may already be vulnerable. Wearing gloves provides a means to avoid direct contact with contaminated surfaces or fluids, while gowns protect the wearer's clothing and skin from potential exposure to droplets carrying infectious agents.

In contrast, maintaining a sterile environment, protecting against chemical exposure, and ensuring patient comfort focus on different aspects of patient care and safety. While a sterile environment is critical in surgical settings, it is not the primary consideration with airborne precautions. Protecting against chemical exposure is unrelated to airborne pathogens, and ensuring patient comfort, while important, does not directly correlate with the need for gloves and gowns under these specific precautions.