MCQ Quiz: Compounding

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