CSPT Aseptic Technique and Garbing 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing aseptic manipulations inside a horizontal laminar airflow workbench (LAFW), where should critical sites be positioned relative to the HEPA filter?
- Behind other objects to reduce contamination risk
- Directly in the path of unobstructed HEPA-filtered airflow (Correct answer)
- At the very front edge of the work surface
- To the far side away from the HEPA filter
Correct answer: Directly in the path of unobstructed HEPA-filtered airflow
Critical sites must be placed in the direct, unobstructed path of HEPA-filtered air to prevent contamination from non-sterile room air.
Question 2: A technician notices their sterile gloves have small holes after removing them post-compounding. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
- Document the incident and discard the batch compounded (Correct answer)
- Continue work since the outer gloves likely remained intact
- Re-glove and continue since gloves are the last line of defense
- Report only if the batch will be used for high-risk patients
Correct answer: Document the incident and discard the batch compounded
Compromised gloves mean the integrity of the sterile field cannot be guaranteed, so the affected batch must be discarded and the incident documented.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the 'no-touch' technique in aseptic compounding?
- To avoid disturbing the laminar airflow pattern
- To prevent direct contact with critical sites such as needles, vial stoppers, and ports (Correct answer)
- To reduce static electricity on IV bags
- To minimize wrist fatigue during extended compounding sessions
Correct answer: To prevent direct contact with critical sites such as needles, vial stoppers, and ports
The no-touch technique protects critical sites (needles, vial stoppers, ports, syringe tips) from direct contact that could introduce microorganisms.
Question 4: Which action correctly demonstrates proper gowning order when entering a cleanroom?
- Shoe covers → mask → gown → gloves → hand hygiene
- Hand hygiene → shoe covers → hair cover → gown → mask → gloves (Correct answer)
- Gown → mask → shoe covers → hand hygiene → gloves
- Hair cover → gown → gloves → hand hygiene → shoe covers
Correct answer: Hand hygiene → shoe covers → hair cover → gown → mask → gloves
USP <797> specifies hand hygiene first, followed by shoe covers, hair/beard covers, gown, mask/eye protection, and finally sterile gloves as the last item donned.
Question 5: How far from the outer edge of the LAFW work surface should a technician avoid placing materials, and why?
- 3 inches, because airflow is turbulent in that zone and non-sterile room air may enter (Correct answer)
- 6 inches, because the HEPA filter coverage does not extend to that area
- 12 inches, to allow room for the technician's arms
- 1 inch, because only the very edge poses a contamination risk
Correct answer: 3 inches, because airflow is turbulent in that zone and non-sterile room air may enter
The first 3 inches of the LAFW work surface (the 'dead zone') may be exposed to room air turbulence and should not contain critical items.
Question 6: A compounder is working in a BSC (biological safety cabinet) and accidentally places their arm over an open vial. What contamination risk does this create?
- Backflow of HEPA air into the vial
- Disruption of vertical airflow, allowing non-sterile air or particles to fall into the vial (Correct answer)
- Increased static electricity on the vial stopper
- Reduced UV radiation inside the BSC
Correct answer: Disruption of vertical airflow, allowing non-sterile air or particles to fall into the vial
In a BSC, airflow moves vertically downward; placing an arm over an open critical site blocks that sterile downflow and creates a contamination pathway.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'first air' in laminar airflow workbenches?
- The initial burst of unfiltered air when the LAFW is first turned on
- The HEPA-filtered air that has not yet contacted any surface or object inside the hood (Correct answer)
- The recycled air returned to the HEPA filter for re-filtration
- Air from the room that enters the hood during compounding
Correct answer: The HEPA-filtered air that has not yet contacted any surface or object inside the hood
First air is the unobstructed HEPA-filtered air flowing directly from the filter before it contacts any object; critical sites must always be in the path of first air.
CSPT Aseptic Technique and Garbing 4
When performing aseptic manipulations inside a horizontal laminar airflow workbench (LAFW), where should critical sites be positioned relative to the HEPA filter?