APHA Cold Chain Management & Vaccine Storage 3

Question 1

A power outage occurs at a clinic at 5 PM on a Friday. The refrigerator has a calibrated data logger and insulated walls. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Keep the refrigerator door closed and monitor temperature; transfer only if temperature rises above 8°C

Answer

Keeping the refrigerator door closed preserves cold as long as possible; vaccines should be transferred to a backup unit only if temperature rises out of range.

Question 2

The 'shake test' (agitation test) is used to identify freezing damage in which type of vaccine?

Accepted Answer

Adjuvanted inactivated vaccines

Answer

The shake test detects flocculation (clumping) caused by freeze-damaged adjuvant in inactivated vaccines such as hepatitis B and DTaP.

Question 3

Which temperature range is required for storing varicella vaccine?

Accepted Answer

-15°C to -25°C (freezer, ≤-15°C)

Answer

Varicella vaccine must be stored frozen at -15°C or colder (optimally -25°C to -15°C), separate from refrigerated vaccines.

Question 4

How often should a certified calibration report be obtained for a digital data logger used in vaccine storage?

Accepted Answer

Every year or per manufacturer recommendation, whichever is sooner

Answer

CDC recommends data loggers be calibrated annually or per manufacturer specifications to ensure measurement accuracy.

Question 5

A nurse notices that the alarm on the vaccine refrigerator was disabled by a colleague 'to stop the beeping.' What is the appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Re-enable the alarm immediately and document the incident

Answer

Alarms must remain active to alert staff of excursions; disabling them is a cold chain protocol violation that must be corrected and documented immediately.

(APHA) American Public Health Association Immunization Certification Practice Test

(APHA) American Public Health Association Immunization Certification Practice Test

APHA Cold Chain Management & Vaccine Storage 3