PEBC Sterile Preparations and Aseptic Technique

Question 1

When preparing a sterile IV admixture in a Laminar Airflow Workbench (LAFW), in which direction should the pharmacist work relative to the HEPA filter to maintain sterility?

Accepted Answer

Directly in front of the HEPA filter, working within the first-air zone closest to the filter

Answer

In a LAFW, HEPA-filtered 'first air' flows horizontally from the filter toward the operator. Critical sites (needle hubs, vial stoppers) must be placed in the direct airflow path from the filter — within the 'first-air zone' — to ensure sterile air bathes the product before it reaches human hands or room air.

Question 2

According to standards for sterile compounding, what is the maximum Beyond-Use Date (BUD) for a low-risk sterile preparation stored at controlled room temperature?

Accepted Answer

48 hours

Answer

Under USP <797>-aligned Canadian pharmacy standards, low-risk sterile preparations (simple transfers from commercial sterile containers in ISO Class 5) have a maximum BUD of 48 hours at controlled room temperature, 14 days refrigerated, or 45 days frozen.

Question 3

A pharmacist notices that the ISO Class 5 laminar airflow workbench has not been cleaned before beginning IV preparation. What is the correct cleaning sequence?

Accepted Answer

Sterile water wipe first, followed by 70% IPA wipe from back to front, starting from the HEPA filter and working toward the operator

Answer

The LAFW should be cleaned with a sterile water wipe first (to remove residue), followed by 70% IPA from back to front (HEPA filter side toward the operator) using overlapping strokes. Cleaning back-to-front pushes contaminants outward and away from the sterile field.

Question 4

Which of the following is classified as a High-Alert Medication (HAM) by ISMP Canada that requires extra precautions when compounding sterile preparations?

Accepted Answer

Concentrated potassium chloride (KCl) injection

Answer

ISMP Canada classifies concentrated electrolytes, including concentrated potassium chloride (KCl) injection, as High-Alert Medications because they can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias if administered undiluted or at incorrect concentrations. They require special storage, labelling, and double-checking protocols.

Question 5

When reconstituting a powdered antibiotic for IV infusion, a pharmacist adds diluent to a vial using positive-pressure technique. What problem can result from excessive positive pressure in the vial?

Accepted Answer

Aerosolization or spray of drug content when the needle is withdrawn, creating a contamination and exposure risk

Answer

Excessive positive pressure in a vial during reconstitution can cause the contents to spray or aerosolize when the needle is withdrawn, creating both a contamination hazard to the sterile field and a potential exposure risk to the compounder. Pressure should be equalized or slight negative pressure maintained.

PEBC - Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Practice Test

PEBC - Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Practice Test

PEBC Sterile Preparations and Aseptic Technique