CSPT CSPT - Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician Parenteral Nutrition and IV Admixture Preparation Questions and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A TPN order specifies 70 mEq of potassium chloride per liter. The available stock is KCl 2 mEq/mL. How many mL of KCl must be added?
- 14 mL
- 35 mL (Correct answer)
- 70 mL
- 140 mL
Correct answer: 35 mL
Using the formula: Volume = Amount ÷ Concentration = 70 mEq ÷ 2 mEq/mL = 35 mL of KCl.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the purpose of using a 0.22-micron filter when administering a 2-in-1 TPN (without lipids)?
- To remove particulate matter and bacteria (Correct answer)
- To filter out lipid globules exceeding 5 microns
- To prevent air embolism
- To reduce the osmolarity of the solution
Correct answer: To remove particulate matter and bacteria
A 0.22-micron filter removes particulate matter, bacteria, and fungi from 2-in-1 TPN solutions, providing an important final safety check before administration.
Question 3: When compounding a 3-in-1 TPN admixture, what is the CORRECT order of component addition to minimize the risk of calcium-phosphate precipitation?
- Phosphate → Calcium → Amino acids → Dextrose → Lipids
- Dextrose → Phosphate → Amino acids → Calcium → Lipids (Correct answer)
- Calcium → Phosphate → Dextrose → Amino acids → Lipids
- Lipids → Calcium → Phosphate → Amino acids → Dextrose
Correct answer: Dextrose → Phosphate → Amino acids → Calcium → Lipids
Adding dextrose first, then phosphate followed by amino acids and calcium last (before lipids) ensures the components are well-diluted before potentially reactive ions meet.
Question 4: Which type of IV admixture preparation error involves adding the correct drug in the correct amount but to the WRONG patient's bag?
- Wrong drug error
- Wrong rate error
- Wrong patient error (Correct answer)
- Labeling error
Correct answer: Wrong patient error
A wrong patient error occurs when a correctly prepared product is assigned or delivered to the wrong patient, often due to insufficient verification during compounding.
Question 5: For peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN), the maximum final osmolarity recommended to prevent phlebitis is approximately:
- 600 mOsm/L
- 900 mOsm/L (Correct answer)
- 1200 mOsm/L
- 1500 mOsm/L
Correct answer: 900 mOsm/L
PPN solutions should generally not exceed 900 mOsm/L to minimize the risk of phlebitis and vein damage from hyperosmolar solutions.
Question 6: Which of the following is a sign of lipid emulsion incompatibility sometimes called 'oiling out' that is different from cracking?
- Complete phase separation with a yellow oil layer
- A slight pink discoloration from drug admixture
- Coalescence of fat droplets forming large visible globules while still emulsified (Correct answer)
- Formation of a white crystalline precipitate
Correct answer: Coalescence of fat droplets forming large visible globules while still emulsified
Coalescence refers to fat droplets merging into larger globules (>5 microns) while the emulsion still appears intact, making it dangerous to infuse but harder to detect visually.
Question 7: A pharmacy technician preparing a batch of IV admixtures notices the laminar airflow workbench (LAFW) certification has expired. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?
- Continue compounding while scheduling recertification for next week
- Use a biological safety cabinet instead without notifying the pharmacist
- Stop compounding and notify the supervising pharmacist immediately (Correct answer)
- Complete current batch and discard the products after certification
Correct answer: Stop compounding and notify the supervising pharmacist immediately
An expired LAFW certification means the hood's integrity cannot be guaranteed; compounding must stop immediately and the pharmacist must be notified per USP <797> requirements.
CSPT CSPT - Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician Parenteral Nutrition and IV Admixture Preparation Questions and Answers 5
A TPN order specifies 70 mEq of potassium chloride per liter.
The available stock is KCl 2 mEq/mL.
How many mL of KCl must be added?