Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What type of pressure is typically maintained in quarantine rooms to reduce the risk of disease transmission?

1. Positive pressure

2. Negative pressure

3. Uniform pressure

4. Varying pressure

The correct answer is: Negative pressure

Maintaining negative pressure in quarantine rooms is essential for controlling the spread of infectious diseases. This pressure setup ensures that air flows into the room from the outside rather than escaping into adjacent areas or other parts of the facility. By doing so, any potential pathogens or contaminants that could be emitted from the quarantined animals are contained within the room, minimizing the risk of airborne transmission to other areas or to staff. Negative pressure rooms are a critical part of biosafety protocols in laboratory animal facilities, especially for animals that are known or suspected to be carrying infectious agents. This design is key to maintaining a safe environment for both animals and personnel, as it significantly reduces the chance of cross-contamination and helps in managing outbreaks effectively. In contrast, options related to positive pressure or other forms of pressure management, like uniform or varying pressures, are not suitable for quarantine situations, as they could facilitate the spread of infections rather than containing them.