PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)Patient Safety and Quality AssuranceHard
A pharmacy technician is preparing a sterile intravenous admixture. After donning appropriate garb, the technician notices a small tear in one of their sterile gloves. What is the MOST appropriate action?
- ACover the tear with sterile tape and continue compounding.
- BRemove both gloves, re-wash hands, and don a new pair of sterile gloves.
- CProceed with compounding, being careful not to touch the torn area.
- DApply an alcohol-based hand rub over the tear and allow it to dry.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Remove both gloves, re-wash hands, and don a new pair of sterile gloves.
Any breach in sterile garb, such as a torn glove, compromises the aseptic technique and introduces a significant risk of contamination. The technician must immediately cease compounding, remove the compromised gloves, re-perform hand hygiene, and don a fresh, intact pair of sterile gloves to maintain sterility.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Sterile tape is not a reliable barrier for a torn glove and does not guarantee sterility.
- C. Even with careful handling, a torn glove presents an unacceptable contamination risk during sterile compounding.
- D. Applying alcohol over a tear does not re-establish the sterile barrier of the glove; it only disinfects the surface of the tear temporarily.
Aseptic Technique
A set of practices performed before and during sterile compounding to protect the preparation from microbial contamination.
- Includes proper hand hygiene, garbing, and environmental controls.
- Any breach in technique requires immediate corrective action.
- Goal is to minimize the introduction of pathogens into sterile products.
Memory trick: Tear a glove, trash the glove, wash and new.