PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)MedicationsMedium
A pharmacy technician is assisting with the preparation of a sterile IV admixture in a Class II biological safety cabinet. What is the primary purpose of this type of cabinet in sterile compounding?
- ATo protect the product, personnel, and environment
- BTo provide a sterile environment for non-hazardous compounding only
- CTo protect the personnel from hazardous drugs only
- DTo protect the product from external contamination only
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. To protect the product, personnel, and environment
Class II biological safety cabinets are designed to provide protection for the product (maintaining sterility), the personnel (from hazardous substances), and the environment (preventing release of contaminants). This 'triple protection' is crucial for handling hazardous sterile compounds.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Class II BSCs are specifically used for hazardous compounding, where broader protection is needed.
- C. While it protects personnel, it also protects the product and environment.
- D. This describes a laminar airflow workbench (LAFW), not a Class II BSC.
Class II Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC)
A primary engineering control used in sterile compounding, especially for hazardous drugs, that provides protection for the product, personnel, and the environment.
- Used for hazardous sterile compounding
- Provides triple protection
- Utilizes HEPA-filtered vertical airflow
Memory trick: BSC = Big Safe Compounding: Protects All.