A nurse is instructing an assistive personnel (AP) in caring for a client who has vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Which of the following types of isolation precautions should the nurse instruct the AP to use?

A. Airborne precautions apply to pathogens spread by small particles that remain suspended in the air, such as TB or measles. VRE does not spread via airborne transmission, so these precautions do not reduce risk of organism transfer through direct or indirect contact. B. Droplet precautions are intended for infections spread through large respiratory droplets that fall quickly, as seen with influenza or meningitis. VRE primarily contaminates hands, equipment, and surfaces rather than being transmitted through coughing or sneezing. C. Protective precautions are designed to protect immunocompromised clients from outside microorganisms. These precautions are not appropriate for clients already colonized or infected with VRE, as the focus is preventing the spread from the client to others. D. Contact precautions prevent spread through direct touch or shared equipment, which is the main mode of VRE transmission. Using gloves, gowns, and dedicated equipment helps limit environmental contamination and reduces the likelihood of cross-infection.