PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)Patient Safety and Quality AssuranceEasy
A pharmacy technician is preparing to compound a hazardous sterile preparation. Which of the following primary engineering controls (PECs) is MOST appropriate for this task?
- ABiological Safety Cabinet (BSC) Class II, Type B2
- BCompounding Aseptic Containment Isolator (CACI)
- CCompounding Aseptic Isolator (CAI)
- DLaminar Airflow Workbench (LAFW)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Compounding Aseptic Containment Isolator (CACI)
For hazardous sterile preparations, a Compounding Aseptic Containment Isolator (CACI) is required. It provides both product protection and operator protection by maintaining negative pressure and filtering exhaust air.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While BSCs provide operator protection, a CACI is specifically designed for sterile compounding of hazardous drugs, offering both containment and aseptic conditions.
- C. CAIs are for non-hazardous sterile preparations and do not provide operator protection from hazardous drugs.
- D. LAFWs are for non-hazardous sterile preparations and do not provide operator protection from hazardous drugs.
Compounding Aseptic Containment Isolator (CACI)
A CACI is a specific type of isolator used for compounding hazardous sterile preparations, providing both an aseptic environment for the product and containment for the operator.
- Used for hazardous sterile compounding.
- Provides negative pressure for operator safety.
- Filters exhaust air to prevent environmental contamination.
Memory trick: Hazardous drugs need a CACI, keeping workers safe and products neat.