Sterile and Non-sterile Compounding Flashcards

A pharmacist must compound a 1:10,000 epinephrine solution. How many grams of epinephrine are in 500 mL of this solution?

Answer: 0.05 g

A 1:10,000 ratio equals 1 g per 10,000 mL, so 500 mL contains 0.05 g.

When preparing an admixture, what is 'coring' and how is it minimized?

Answer: Dislodging a rubber fragment into the vial; minimized by inserting the needle bevel up at an angle

Coring is a rubber-stopper fragment dislodged into the vial, reduced by inserting the needle bevel-up at a 45–60° angle and applying gentle pressure.

What is the minimum percentage of active ingredient recovery typically required for an acceptable compounded preparation?

Answer: 90–110% of labeled potency

Compounded preparations generally must contain 90–110% of the labeled amount of active ingredient.

Geometric dilution is a technique used primarily to achieve what during non-sterile compounding?

Answer: Uniform mixing of a small amount of potent drug with a larger amount of diluent

Geometric dilution ensures uniform distribution of a small quantity of potent drug throughout a larger diluent base.

How many milliliters of a 50% dextrose stock solution are needed to prepare 1,000 mL of a 10% dextrose solution?

Answer: 200 mL

Using C1V1 = C2V2: (50%)(V1) = (10%)(1000 mL), so V1 = 200 mL.

What is the purpose of a 0.22-micron filter in sterile compounding?

Answer: Sterilizing filtration to remove bacteria from a solution

A 0.22-micron filter provides sterilizing-grade filtration by removing bacteria from a solution.

A levigating agent is used in non-sterile compounding to do what?

Answer: Reduce particle gritiness when incorporating a solid into an ointment base

A levigating agent such as mineral oil or glycerin wets and reduces the grittiness of solid particles in an ointment or paste.