CSPT - Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician Aseptic Technique and Garbing Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of performing hand hygiene before entering the buffer area?
- To reduce bioburden on the skin (Correct answer)
- To moisturize the hands
- To comply with OSHA requirements
- To reduce static charge
Correct answer: To reduce bioburden on the skin
Hand hygiene before entering the buffer area reduces the bioburden (microbial load) on the skin, which is a critical first step in preventing contamination of compounded sterile preparations.
Hand hygiene is foundational to aseptic technique. The human body naturally harbors millions of microorganisms on the skin surface. Before entering the buffer area where sterile compounding occurs, thorough handwashing with antimicrobial soap for at least 30 seconds removes transient flora and reduces resident flora. This bioburden reduction is essential because even with gloves, any breach could introduce organisms to the sterile field. USP 797 mandates this step as part of the garbing sequence.
Question 2: In the garbing sequence, which item should be donned AFTER shoe covers but BEFORE the sterile gown?
- Face mask and hair cover (Correct answer)
- Sterile gloves
- Goggles
- Sleeve covers
Correct answer: Face mask and hair cover
The correct garbing order requires putting on a face mask and hair cover after shoe covers and before the sterile gown to minimize particle shedding onto the gown.
USP 797 specifies a precise garbing order to minimize contamination risk. After donning shoe covers in the ante-area, personnel put on hair covers (including beard covers if applicable) and face masks. This contains the largest sources of particulate shedding from the head and face before the sterile gown is donned. The gown is then put on, followed by sterile gloves as the final step.
Question 3: How frequently should sterile gloves be sanitized with 70% IPA during continuous compounding operations?
- Every 30 minutes
- Only at the start of compounding
- Before each new CSP and frequently during compounding (Correct answer)
- Every 2 hours
Correct answer: Before each new CSP and frequently during compounding
Sterile gloves should be sanitized with 70% IPA before initiating each new CSP and frequently throughout the compounding process to maintain aseptic conditions.
Glove sanitization is a continuous process during sterile compounding. USP 797 requires that gloves be sprayed or wiped with sterile 70% IPA before each new preparation begins and at regular intervals during compounding. This is because gloves can pick up contaminants from touching surfaces, vial stoppers, and other items.
Question 4: What is the correct action if a technician gown sleeve touches the outer edge of the laminar airflow workbench?
- Continue working as the edge is within the clean zone
- Sanitize the sleeve with 70% IPA and continue (Correct answer)
- Re-garb with a new sterile gown
- Move the preparation 6 inches further inside the hood
Correct answer: Sanitize the sleeve with 70% IPA and continue
If a gown sleeve contacts the outer edge of the LAFW, the area should be sanitized with 70% IPA. Complete re-garbing is not required for incidental contact if the gloves and critical site were not compromised.
Not every contact event requires complete re-garbing. The outer edge of the LAFW is cleaned regularly but is not considered a critical site. If a gown sleeve touches this area, sanitizing the contact point with sterile 70% IPA is the appropriate response, provided that the direct compounding area and critical sites were not compromised.
Question 5: Which of the following is considered a critical site during IV admixture preparation?
- The outer surface of the IV bag
- The needle hub prior to attachment (Correct answer)
- The label on the final product
- The hanging hook of the IV bag
Correct answer: The needle hub prior to attachment
The needle hub is a critical site because it comes in direct contact with the sterile fluid pathway. Any contamination here can directly enter the CSP.
Critical sites are any locations that come in direct contact with the sterile contents of a CSP or the sterile pathway. The needle hub is a prime example. Other critical sites include vial septums, ampule necks, and syringe tips. Protecting critical sites from touch contamination and airborne particles is the core principle of aseptic technique.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the ante-area in sterile compounding facility design?
- To store completed CSPs before dispensing
- To provide a transition zone for garbing and hand hygiene before entering the buffer area (Correct answer)
- To house the primary engineering controls
- To serve as a patient consultation area
Correct answer: To provide a transition zone for garbing and hand hygiene before entering the buffer area
The ante-area serves as an ISO Class 8 transition zone where personnel perform hand hygiene, garbing, and staging of components before entering the cleaner buffer area.
The ante-area is a critical component of cleanroom design specified by USP 797. It functions as a transitional space (ISO Class 8 or better) between the uncontrolled general environment and the buffer area where compounding occurs.
CSPT - Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician Aseptic Technique and Garbing Questions and Answers 2
What is the primary purpose of performing hand hygiene before entering the buffer area?