North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam 2025 - Free EMT Practice Questions and Study Guide.

A surgical mask is predominantly used by patients with tuberculosis (TB) to minimize the risk of infection to healthcare providers and others around them. Tuberculosis is an airborne disease that can spread through respiratory droplets when a person with TB coughs, sneezes, or talks. By wearing a surgical mask, the patient helps to contain these droplets, significantly reducing the risk of transmitting the infection to healthcare workers and other individuals.

This containment is crucial in healthcare settings where exposure to infectious agents can lead to outbreaks or pose serious health risks to patients, particularly those with weakened immune systems. The use of a surgical mask in this context is a key part of infection control measures designed to protect both healthcare providers and other patients from potential exposure to TB bacilli.