Aseptic Technique and Garbing Flashcards

USP requires that sterile compounding personnel perform hand hygiene using a specific method. Which describes the correct technique?

Answer: A vigorous 30-second wash with soap and water, rinsing from fingertips to elbows

USP requires a thorough hand wash with soap and water for at least 30 seconds, washing from fingertips to elbows to prevent recontamination.

Which personal behavior is MOST likely to compromise aseptic technique during sterile compounding?

Answer: Adjusting PPE inside the cleanroom by touching the face or hair

Touching the face or hair while gloved inside the cleanroom contaminates the gloves and can transfer microorganisms to critical sites.

What is the minimum recommended time a LAFW or BSC should run before use to purge the work zone with HEPA-filtered air?

Answer: 30 minutes

USP recommends running the LAFW or BSC for at least 30 minutes before compounding to ensure the work zone is adequately purged with HEPA-filtered air.

When wiping a vial rubber stopper with 70% IPA before needle insertion, what technique should be used?

Answer: Wipe in one direction and allow the IPA to dry completely before puncturing

A single unidirectional wipe with 70% IPA followed by complete drying prevents 'swimming in' contaminants and ensures the sporicidal action is complete before needle insertion.

A technician with a known active respiratory infection (e.g., influenza) reports for a sterile compounding shift. What is the appropriate course of action per aseptic technique principles?

Answer: Reassign the technician away from sterile compounding duties until recovered

Active respiratory infections increase the risk of airborne microbial contamination; affected personnel should be excluded from sterile compounding until recovered.

During compounding, a technician drops a syringe tip on the LAFW work surface but it does not contact anything outside the hood. What should the technician do?

Answer: Discard the syringe and obtain a new sterile one

Any component that contacts an unsterile or uncertain surface—including the LAFW work surface itself—must be discarded because sterility cannot be guaranteed.

What is the correct method for removing outer sterile gloves when double-gloving, to avoid contaminating the inner gloves?

Answer: Pull the outer gloves off from the fingertips toward the wrist, turning them inside out

Removing outer gloves by peeling from the fingertips toward the wrist turns them inside out, ensuring the contaminated outer surface does not touch the inner gloves.