CSPT - Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician Parenteral Nutrition and IV Admixture Preparation Questions and Answers Flashcards

Which type of central venous access device is most commonly used for long-term TPN administration in home care patients?

Answer: PICC line or tunneled central catheter

PICC lines and tunneled central catheters (e.g., Hickman) provide reliable long-term central access required for hypertonic TPN.

What is the primary purpose of adding heparin to certain IV admixtures and TPN formulations?

Answer: To maintain catheter patency and prevent clot formation

Heparin is added to IV admixtures to prevent fibrin clot formation in catheter lumens and maintain patency.

Which electrolyte abnormality is most associated with 'refeeding syndrome' when initiating TPN in a severely malnourished patient?

Answer: Hypophosphatemia

Refeeding syndrome is characterized by severe hypophosphatemia as phosphate shifts intracellularly when carbohydrates are reintroduced.

A TPN order specifies 500 mL of 70% dextrose, 500 mL of 10% amino acids, and 250 mL of 20% lipids. What is the total volume of this admixture?

Answer: 1,250 mL

Adding 500 + 500 + 250 mL equals 1,250 mL total volume for this TPN admixture.

Which practice is required when transferring a compounded TPN admixture from the cleanroom to the patient care area?

Answer: Label with BUD, patient name, lot number, and transport in insulated container if refrigeration required

CSPs must be fully labeled and transported in a manner that maintains required storage conditions, including insulated containers for refrigerated TPN.

What is the correct sequence when adding components to a TPN admixture using an automated compounder?

Answer: Dextrose → electrolytes → amino acids → lipids (last)

The standard sequence for automated TPN compounding is dextrose and electrolytes first, then amino acids, with lipids added last to maintain emulsion stability.