N95 Respirator Use and Fit Check

Key Points

• N95 respirators are used for airborne-risk care and require a snug seal to be effective.
• The mask must be placed correctly over nose and mouth, secured at head and neck, and fit checked before room entry.
• A wet mask loses protective integrity and must be replaced promptly.

Equipment

• Correctly sized N95 respirator available at point of care
• Mirror or buddy check process when local policy requires fit verification support
• Hand hygiene resources before and after PPE handling
• Waste receptacle for used respirator disposal per facility protocol

Procedure Steps

1. Confirm airborne-risk indication and verify N95 supply availability before patient-room entry.
2. Perform hand hygiene before touching PPE.
3. Position respirator over nose and mouth with lower edge below the chin.
4. Secure straps so the upper and lower bands sit at the middle of the head and neck as directed.
5. Mold nose area and adjust edges to minimize gaps.
6. Perform a fit check to confirm a tight facial seal before entering the care area.
7. Reassess fit after movement or prolonged wear and before re-entry.
8. Replace the respirator if it becomes wet from exhaled moisture or if seal integrity is compromised.
9. Doff respirator according to policy and perform hand hygiene immediately after removal.

Common Errors

• Entering airborne-precaution area without fit check → inadequate protection from small airborne particles.
• Wearing loose strap positioning → face-seal failure and leakage risk.
• Continuing use of wet respirator → reduced barrier effectiveness.
• Skipping hand hygiene around respirator handling → avoidable contamination pathway.

Related

• airborne-precaution-supply-readiness - Pre-entry supply checks prevent unsafe room entry.
• ppe-selection-by-exposure-risk - Respirator choice depends on precaution type and anticipated exposure.