Which type of infection commonly requires contact precautions?

The correct answer is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) because this type of infection is associated with significant risk of transmission through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or bodily fluids. MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, which makes it a concern in healthcare settings where patients may have weakened immune systems.

Contact precautions are implemented to prevent the spread of MRSA from one patient to another or from contaminated equipment. This includes practices such as wearing gloves and gowns when caring for an infected patient and ensuring proper hand hygiene.

C. diff infection is also a significant infection that requires contact precautions; however, the question highlights MRSA specifically as an example that often comes to mind when discussing contact transmission in clinical settings. Pneumonia and influenza typically require respiratory precautions rather than strictly contact precautions, focusing on minimizing transmission through droplets rather than skin or surfaces.