Which category of personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear when caring for clients with botulism?

• A. Level A
• B. Level B
• C. Level C
• D. Level D

Answer: (D)

PPE choices are driven by how risky the exposure is. Botulism involves a toxin, not a contagious organism passed from patient to nurse, so routine care does not require airborne or fully encapsulated protection. In this scenario, standard precautions with basic protective attire are appropriate, which corresponds to Level D—the minimal attire used for ordinary work without anticipated splash or aerosol exposure. You would still follow standard precautions (gloves, gown as indicated, eye protection if splashing is possible), but there’s no need for respirators or a fully encapsulated suit unless a situation arises that could aerosolize the toxin or cause significant splashes. Higher levels of PPE would be excessive for standard botulism care.