Registered Nurse RN

Registered Nurse, Free Care Plans, Free NCLEX Review, Nurse Salary, and much more. Join the nursing revolution.

  • RN
    • Nursing Clinical Skills
  • Nursing Videos
  • Blog
  • Nursing School
  • Nursing Care Plans
  • Nursing Quizzes
  • Nursing
  • Nursing Jobs
  • NCLEX Review
  • Store

N95 Respirator Mask Nursing Skill

Nurses and nursing students will learn how to properly don (put on) and doff (take off or remove) an N-95 mask. This article and video will demonstrate the proper technique for how to wear an N-95 mask.

What is an N-95 mask? It is a special type of mask worn by nurses or other members of the healthcare team to prevent the transmission of airborne illnesses.

When is a nurse required to wear an N-95 mask? This mask must be work when dealing with patients who are in airborne isolation…examples:

  • Herpes Zoster (Varicella Zoster)(disseminated) Shingles (Airborne and Contact)
  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Tuberculosis
  • COVID-19*

Mnemonic to help you remember:

Airborne Chicken Number 95 Dissected Her Tubby Mealworm

Airborne: type of isolation precaution

Chicken: Chicken Pox (Varicella)

Number 95: N95 mask…special PPE you must wear at all times

Dissected Her: Disseminated Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

Tubby: Tuberculosis

Mealworm: Measles

Video Demonstration on How to Don and Doff an N-95 Mask


How to Don (Put on) an N-95 Mask

Before donning any type of respirator, always follow the manufacture’s instructions and your facility’s protocols for being fitted for a respirator. This is usually performed yearly, but it can vary among different facilities.

  1. Perform hand hygiene.
  2. Hold the respirator in one hand, with the front of the respirator touching the inside of your hand. The metal nose piece should rest near the fingertips. Be sure the top and bottom straps of the respirator are hanging down below your hand and are not tangled or twisted.how to put on n95 mask, respirator, nursing, nurse
  3. Take the respirator and place it over your nose, mouth, and under the chin. Hold the respirator in place with one hand.how to put on n95 mask, respirator, nursing, nurse
  4. Use your free hand to place the straps on your head. It’s very important the straps rest on the head and are NOT overlapping or tangled.how to put on n95 mask, respirator, nursing, nurse
  5. First, take the top strap of the respirator and place it just past the top of your head, above the ears.
  6. Then take the bottom strap of the respirator and place it around the bottom of the head, just below the ears.how to put on n95 mask, respirator, nursing, nurse
  7. To ensure a proper seal of the respirator around the nose area, use the fingertips of both hands to bend the metal nose piece around the nose, starting in the center and working your way outward on each side.how to put on n95 mask, respirator, nursing, nurse

Seal test for N-95 Respirator

This is performed to check if you donned the respirator correctly and to make sure it does NOT leak air. Always follow the manufacture’s guidelines for this part because different brands vary on their seal test guidelines.

  1. Place both hands over the respirator.seal test, n95, respirator, mask
  2. Take a sharp breath in and make sure that the respirator is sealing over the face during this inhalation.
  3. Keep both hands on the respirator and breathe out. While breathing out feel for any air leaking around the nose piece and around the respirator’s perimeter.
    • If air is leaking around the nose piece, try re-bending the nose piece with both hands and recheck the seal.
    • If air is leaking around the respirator’s perimeter, try adjusting the straps and recheck again, making sure the respirator is not being affected by any piercings, facial hair, or glasses, which could prevent a proper seal.

NOTE: If the respirator still leaks after this, you may need a different size or type of respirator. Do NOT use the respirator if a proper seal has not been obtained.

How to Doff (Take off) an N-95 Respirator

Two important concepts to remember

  • The mask is considered contaminated…therefore, do NOT touch this part when removing the respirator.
  • The straps of the mask are considered clean…therefore, only touch the straps when removing the respirator.
  1. Grasp the BOTTOM strap of the mask and lift it over the head.doffing, removing, n95, respirator, mask
  2. Then grasp the TOP strap of the mask and lift it over the head.how to put on n95 mask, respirator, nursing, nurse

 

doffing, removing, n95, respirator, mask3. Dispose or reuse* the mask per facility’s protocol.

4. Perform hand hygiene.

*Reusing the mask may not be applicable. ALWAYS check your facility’s protocol for the proper steps.

References:

NIOSH National Institue for Occupational Safety and Health. (2010). How to Properly Put on and Take off a Disposable Respirator [Ebook] (p. 1). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-133/pdfs/2010-133.pdf

Please Share:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
Nursing Gear

RSS Latest YouTube Videos

  • Medication Abbreviations Frequencies/Orders | Medical Terminology | Nursing NCLEX Review
  • Baby's First Food Reaction at 6 Months Old | How to Start Solids | Pediatric Nursing
  • Inversion and Eversion of the Foot, Ankle | Body Movement Terms Anatomy
  • Medication Routes of Administration and Medical Abbreviations | Nursing NCLEX Review

Recent Posts

  • Medication Abbreviation Frequencies for Administration Times and Orders in Nursing
  • Medication Abbreviation Frequencies Time and Orders Quiz (Nursing)
  • Baby’s First Food
  • Medication Administration Routes and Abbreviations (Nursing)

Disclosure and Privacy Policy

This website provides entertainment value only, not medical advice or nursing protocols. We strive for 100% accuracy, but nursing procedures and state laws are constantly changing. By accessing any content on this site or its related media channels, you agree never to hold us liable for damages, harm, loss, or misinformation. See our full disclosure and privacy policy. Copyright Notice: Do not copy this site, articles, images, or its contents without permission.

Important Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Follow Us on Social Media

  • Facebook Nursing
  • Instagram Nursing
  • Twitter Nursing
  • YouTube Nursing

Get Free Email Updates:

Enter your email address below and hit "Submit" to receive free email updates and nursing tips.

Copyright © 2021 RegisteredNurseRN.com. All Rights Reserved.