What describes the correct direction of airflow in a separate decontamination room?

The correct answer is that airflow in a separate decontamination room should primarily direct materials and instruments from the areas of higher contamination to lower contamination. The process typically begins with the washing or cleaning of instruments, which often occurs at the instrument wash sink, where initial decontamination takes place. Following this step, instruments are moved to the autoclave for sterilization. This progression is essential to ensure that contaminated instruments are not re-exposed to clean or sterile areas, preventing cross-contamination within the dental practice.

In this context, beginning with the autoclave and working backward to the wash sink would not support effective infection control measures, as it would involve reversing the flow of contaminated instruments toward a cleaner area, potentially undermining decontamination protocols. Each step in the sequence of decontamination and sterilization must follow a linear path to ensure complete and effective sanitation and protection of both staff and patients.