What are contact precautions used for?

Contact precautions are specifically utilized for patients infected with pathogens that are known to spread through direct contact. This includes infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can be transmitted from patient to patient or from healthcare workers' hands to patients. Examples of such infections include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and Clostridium difficile.

The implementation of contact precautions involves measures like wearing gloves and gowns when interacting with the patient and ensuring proper hand hygiene to minimize the risk of spreading these pathogens. These precautions are critical in preventing outbreaks and protecting both healthcare staff and other patients, especially in healthcare settings.

The other options do not relate directly to the specific measures necessary to prevent transmission of infectious agents. For instance, routine activities such as physical therapy, check-ups, or medication administration do not inherently necessitate the same level of infection control as those necessary for individuals with highly contagious infections requiring contact precautions.