During construction, where was the negative air-pressure barrier incorrectly installed in relation to the patient flow?

• A. Near the nursing station
• B. Near the patient elevator
• C. In the janitor's closet
• D. In the lobby

Answer: (A)

Maintaining proper airflow is essential to keep construction dust and contaminants from escaping into patient-care areas. A negative air-pressure barrier should be placed at the boundary where the construction zone meets the patient-care spaces and should align with the path of patient and staff flow. When the barrier is located near the nursing station, it sits on the staff circulation area rather than at the decisive boundary for patient exposure. This misplacement can disrupt the intended direction of airflow, allowing air from the construction zone to intrude into the more protected patient-care areas or letting contaminants spread along the staff route. The barrier must be positioned so that air moves from patient-care areas into the construction space (and is then exhausted or filtered), preserving a negative pressure differential across the boundary and protecting patients and staff.