CSPT - Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician Infection Control and Microbiology Questions and Answers Flashcards

What is the key difference between sanitization and sterilization?

Answer: Sanitization reduces microbial load to a safe level; sterilization destroys all viable microorganisms

Sterilization achieves a sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10⁻⁶, eliminating all microorganisms, while sanitization only reduces counts to an acceptable safe level.

The minimum recommended air changes per hour (ACPH) for an ISO 7 buffer room under USP is:

Answer: 30 ACPH

USP requires a minimum of 30 ACPH of HEPA-filtered air in ISO 7 buffer rooms to maintain proper air quality.

The most effective strategy to prevent biofilm formation on cleanroom surfaces is:

Answer: Regular cleaning and rotation of disinfectants from different chemical classes

Rotating disinfectants prevents microorganisms from developing resistance and ensures broad-spectrum coverage against different contaminant types.

Which of the following organisms is classified as a mold (filamentous fungus) and is a common environmental contaminant?

Answer: Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus is a filamentous mold found in the environment; Candida albicans is a yeast, while the others are bacteria.

Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI) is preferred over Sterile Water for Irrigation in IV compounding because SWFI:

Answer: Is pyrogen-free and meets USP standards for absence of bacterial endotoxins suitable for intravenous use

SWFI meets stringent USP requirements for endotoxin limits and is specifically labeled for parenteral administration, whereas irrigation water is not tested to the same standard.

Bacterial endotoxins (pyrogens) are significant in sterile compounding because they:

Answer: Are heat-stable lipopolysaccharides that can cause fever, hypotension, and septic shock when injected

Endotoxins are fragments of gram-negative bacterial cell walls that are heat-stable and too small to be filtered — they require depyrogenation (dry heat 250°C) or endotoxin-free components.