Which statement describes the appropriate use of positive air pressure in isolation settings?

Which statement describes the appropriate use of positive air pressure in isolation settings?

• A. It should be used only in bronchoscopy suites.
• B. It draws air into rooms.
• C. It should be used in all isolation rooms.
• D. It keeps microbiological contamination out of rooms.

Answer: (D)

Positive air pressure protects a vulnerable patient by preventing contaminants from entering the room. When the room is kept at higher pressure than surrounding spaces, air flows outward as doors are opened, making it harder for microorganisms from the hallway to reach the patient. That’s why this approach is described as keeping microbiological contamination out of rooms. It isn’t about drawing air into the room, and not all isolation situations use positive pressure—many require negative pressure to contain pathogens within a space.

Positive air pressure protects a vulnerable patient by preventing contaminants from entering the room. When the room is kept at higher pressure than surrounding spaces, air flows outward as doors are opened, making it harder for microorganisms from the hallway to reach the patient. That’s why this approach is described as keeping microbiological contamination out of rooms. It isn’t about drawing air into the room, and not all isolation situations use positive pressure—many require negative pressure to contain pathogens within a space.