In what scenario would negative air pressure be indicated?

Negative air pressure is specifically indicated in scenarios involving airborne precautions. This approach is crucial because airborne pathogens can remain suspended in the air and travel over distances. By maintaining negative air pressure in certain areas, such as isolation rooms, the airflow is directed inward. This prevents contaminants from escaping into the general environment, thereby protecting both healthcare workers and other patients from potential exposure to infectious agents like tuberculosis or measles.

In contrast, contact precautions and droplet precautions do not necessitate negative air pressure since the routes of transmission and the nature of the pathogens do not involve prolonged airborne exposure. Enteric precautions, which address pathogens that are spread via the fecal-oral route, also do not require such stringent air control measures. Thus, the use of negative air pressure is specifically tailored to control airborne diseases, making it the appropriate choice in this context.