Compounding is a cornerstone of pharmacy practice, allowing pharmacists to create customized medications for individual patient needs based on a practitioner’s prescription. This practice is governed by strict standards to ensure product quality and patient safety, a topic covered in depth in the dedicated Sterile Compounding course and reinforced in the experiential education curriculum, “. This quiz will test your knowledge on the principles of non-sterile and sterile compounding, the standards of USP chapters <795>, <797>, and <800>, and critical skills like aseptic technique and pharmaceutical calculations.
1. Which USP chapter provides the standards for non-sterile compounding?
- a. USP <795>
- b. USP <797>
- c. USP <800>
- d. USP <71>
Answer: a. USP <795>
2. Which USP chapter provides the standards for sterile compounding?
- a. USP <795>
- b. USP <797>
- c. USP <800>
- d. USP <825>
Answer: b. USP <797>
3. Which USP chapter provides the standards for handling hazardous drugs in healthcare settings?
- a. USP <795>
- b. USP <797>
- c. USP <800>
- d. USP <1160>
Answer: c. USP <800>
4. The process of reducing particle size of a solid by grinding it in a mortar is known as:
- a. Levigation
- b. Trituration
- c. Geometric dilution
- d. Spatulation
Answer: b. Trituration
5. Aseptic technique is a set of procedures designed to prevent what type of contamination in sterile products?
- a. Chemical contamination
- b. Particulate contamination
- c. Microbial contamination
- d. All of the above
Answer: c. Microbial contamination
6. A Laminar Airflow Workbench (LAFW) provides what class of sterile air environment for compounding?
- a. ISO Class 3
- b. ISO Class 5
- c. ISO Class 7
- d. ISO Class 8
Answer: b. ISO Class 5
7. When working in a horizontal laminar airflow hood, all critical manipulations should be performed at least how far inside the hood?
- a. 1 inch
- b. 3 inches
- c. 6 inches
- d. 12 inches
Answer: c. 6 inches
8. The “recipe” or set of instructions for preparing a specific compounded product is known as the:
- a. Compounding Record
- b. Master Formulation Record
- c. Prescription
- d. Standard Operating Procedure
Answer: b. Master Formulation Record
9. What is the primary purpose of geometric dilution?
- a. To ensure the even distribution of a small quantity of a potent ingredient within a larger quantity of diluent.
- b. To reduce the particle size of a powder.
- c. To dissolve a solid in a liquid.
- d. To increase the stability of a preparation.
Answer: a. To ensure the even distribution of a small quantity of a potent ingredient within a larger quantity of diluent.
10. A Beyond-Use Date (BUD) is assigned to a compounded preparation based on its:
- a. Expiration date from the manufacturer.
- b. Date of compounding and its stability.
- c. Cost.
- d. Patient’s date of birth.
Answer: b. Date of compounding and its stability.
11. The Sterile Compounding course includes a module on parenteral calculations.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
12. According to USP <800>, hazardous drugs must be compounded in a room with what type of air pressure?
- a. Positive pressure
- b. Negative pressure
- c. Neutral pressure
- d. No special pressure is required.
Answer: b. Negative pressure
13. When garbing for sterile compounding, which of the following items should be donned first?
- a. Gown
- b. Gloves
- c. Shoe covers and hair cover
- d. Face mask
Answer: c. Shoe covers and hair cover
14. The “buffer area” or cleanroom where sterile compounding is performed must maintain what class of air quality?
- a. ISO Class 3
- b. ISO Class 5
- c. ISO Class 7
- d. ISO Class 8
Answer: c. ISO Class 7
15. Performing basic sterile and non-sterile compounding techniques is a key objective for student pharmacists in their experiential rotations.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
16. What is the primary risk associated with a 3-in-1 parenteral nutrition (PN) admixture compared to a 2-in-1?
- a. It is less nutritious.
- b. The lipid emulsion can “crack” or separate, and the larger particle size obscures precipitates.
- c. It has a shorter beyond-use date.
- d. It is more difficult to compound.
Answer: b. The lipid emulsion can “crack” or separate, and the larger particle size obscures precipitates.
17. The pharmacist must be concerned about the precipitation of calcium and phosphate in a PN bag. This risk increases with:
- a. Lower concentrations of calcium and phosphate.
- b. An increase in the amino acid concentration.
- c. A higher pH of the solution.
- d. A decrease in temperature.
Answer: c. A higher pH of the solution.
18. The term “levigation” refers to the process of:
- a. Grinding a powder.
- b. Mixing two powders of unequal quantity.
- c. Wetting a powder with a small amount of liquid (a levigating agent) to form a paste.
- d. Melting a solid.
Answer: c. Wetting a powder with a small amount of liquid (a levigating agent) to form a paste.
19. A Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) used for compounding hazardous drugs provides protection for:
- a. The product only.
- b. The personnel only.
- c. The environment only.
- d. The product, the personnel, and the environment.
Answer: d. The product, the personnel, and the environment.
20. A pharmacist’s role in compounding includes:
- a. Verifying the appropriateness and calculations for the formula.
- b. Ensuring proper technique and quality control.
- c. Counseling the patient on the use, storage, and disposal of the compound.
- d. All of the above.
Answer: d. All of the above.
21. According to USP <795>, what is the maximum beyond-use date for a non-aqueous formulation (like an ointment) stored at room temperature?
- a. 14 days
- b. 30 days
- c. 6 months
- d. 1 year
Answer: c. 6 months
22. According to USP <795>, what is the maximum beyond-use date for a water-containing oral formulation (like a suspension) when stored in the refrigerator?
- a. 14 days
- b. 30 days
- c. 6 months
- d. 48 hours
Answer: a. 14 days
23. The “Chemotherapy and Hazardous Drugs” lecture is part of the Sterile Compounding course.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
24. An active learning session on sterile compounding is part of which course?
- a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
25. A High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter removes at least 99.97% of airborne particles of what size?
- a. 1 micron or larger
- b. 0.5 microns or larger
- c. 0.3 microns or larger
- d. 0.1 microns or larger
Answer: c. 0.3 microns or larger
26. When compounding, the “Compounding Record” is different from the “Master Formulation Record” because it:
- a. Is the recipe for the compound.
- b. Is the specific documentation for a single preparation of a compound (a specific Rx).
- c. Does not need to be kept.
- d. Is created by the physician.
Answer: b. Is the specific documentation for a single preparation of a compound (a specific Rx).
27. What is the most critical part of the pharmacist’s body that should not enter the direct sterile airflow of a hood?
- a. The feet
- b. The shoulders
- c. The hands
- d. The elbows
Answer: c. The hands
28. An active learning session on parenteral nutrition is part of which course?
- a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
29. The term “pyrogen” refers to a substance that can cause:
- a. An allergic reaction
- b. A fever
- c. Precipitation
- d. Degradation of a drug
Answer: b. A fever
30. The principles of sterile compounding are covered in the PHA5104 course.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
31. When compounding a hazardous drug, what type of PPE is required by USP <800>?
- a. A single pair of gloves and a lab coat.
- b. A hair cover and shoe covers only.
- c. Two pairs of chemotherapy-rated gloves and a non-permeable gown.
- d. A standard surgical mask.
Answer: c. Two pairs of chemotherapy-rated gloves and a non-permeable gown.
32. What is the purpose of the “ante-room” in a cleanroom suite?
- a. It is where the compounding is performed.
- b. It is a transition area for garbing and hand washing before entering the main buffer room.
- c. It is where hazardous drugs are stored.
- d. It is the office for the pharmacy manager.
Answer: b. It is a transition area for garbing and hand washing before entering the main buffer room.
33. The stability and compatibility of IV admixtures is a key consideration in sterile compounding.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
34. A pharmacist needs to compound a prescription for a “magic mouthwash.” This is an example of:
- a. Sterile compounding
- b. Non-sterile compounding
- c. A manufacturing process
- d. A pre-fabricated product
Answer: b. Non-sterile compounding
35. A pharmacist is preparing an IV admixture of ceftriaxone. This is an example of:
- a. Sterile compounding
- b. Non-sterile compounding
- c. A medication error
- d. A simple dispensing task
Answer: a. Sterile compounding
36. A key principle of aseptic technique is that you should never ____ a sterile surface.
- a. touch
- b. cough over
- c. block the sterile airflow to
- d. all of the above
Answer: d. all of the above
37. The objective “Compound non-sterile preparations according to USP Chapter <795> standards” is part of which course?
- a. PHA5942 Hospital Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (HIPPE)
- b. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
- c. PHA5244 Principles of Evidence-Based Practice
- d. PHA5132 Principles of Drug Therapy Individualization
Answer: a. PHA5942 Hospital Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (HIPPE)
38. Which of the following is NOT a primary goal of USP <797>?
- a. To prevent harm from microbial contamination.
- b. To prevent harm from excessive bacterial endotoxins.
- c. To ensure the pharmacy is profitable.
- d. To prevent harm from incorrect strength of ingredients.
Answer: c. To ensure the pharmacy is profitable.
39. A “3-in-1” TPN admixture contains dextrose, amino acids, and lipids in the same bag. What is a key stability concern?
- a. The amino acids will degrade.
- b. The dextrose will crystallize.
- c. The lipid emulsion can become unstable, leading to large, harmful lipid globules.
- d. The bag will turn yellow.
Answer: c. The lipid emulsion can become unstable, leading to large, harmful lipid globules.
40. An active learning session covering sterile compounding is part of which course?
- a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
41. The first step in any compounding procedure is to:
- a. Start mixing ingredients.
- b. Put on gloves.
- c. Verify the prescription, perform all necessary calculations, and gather all ingredients and equipment.
- d. Label the final container.
Answer: c. Verify the prescription, perform all necessary calculations, and gather all ingredients and equipment.
42. According to USP <797>, a low-risk compounded sterile product made in an ISO 5 environment can be stored at room temperature for up to:
- a. 12 hours
- b. 24 hours
- c. 48 hours
- d. 14 days
Answer: c. 48 hours
43. A pharmacist’s professional judgment is required in compounding, even when following a Master Formulation Record.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
44. What is the primary reason for compounding medications?
- a. To save the pharmacy money.
- b. To meet the unique needs of a specific patient that cannot be met with commercially available products.
- c. To make the dispensing process faster.
- d. To use up expired medications.
Answer: b. To meet the unique needs of a specific patient that cannot be met with commercially available products.
45. Which of the following would require sterile compounding?
- a. An ophthalmic (eye) drop
- b. An intravenous (IV) admixture
- c. A parenteral nutrition (PN) solution
- d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
46. “Gloving and garbing” is a key module in the Sterile Compounding course.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
47. A pharmacist is preparing a suspension from crushed tablets. This is:
- a. Non-sterile compounding.
- b. Sterile compounding.
- c. Not considered compounding.
- d. A violation of the law.
Answer: a. Non-sterile compounding.
48. The “Parenteral Nutrition” lecture is part of which course?
- a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
49. The overall management of a compounding pharmacy requires strict adherence to:
- a. Patient preferences only.
- b. USP standards and state board of pharmacy regulations.
- c. The pharmacy’s budget.
- d. The wholesaler’s recommendations.
Answer: b. USP standards and state board of pharmacy regulations.
50. The ultimate goal of learning about compounding is to:
- a. Be able to prepare safe, effective, and high-quality customized medications for patients.
- b. Pass the compounding lab practical.
- c. Memorize all the USP chapters.
- d. Avoid working in a pharmacy that compounds.
Answer: a. Be able to prepare safe, effective, and high-quality customized medications for patients. Sources
