PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)Order Entry and ProcessingHard
A pharmacy technician is performing a daily cleaning of the laminar airflow workbench (LAFW). Which of the following is the correct order of surfaces to clean, starting with the cleanest area?
- ATop, back, sides, bottom.
- BBottom, sides, back, top.
- CBack, top, sides, bottom.
- DSides, back, top, bottom.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Top, back, sides, bottom.
When cleaning a LAFW, the cleanest area (top) should be cleaned first to avoid contaminating previously cleaned surfaces. The correct sequence is top, back, sides, then bottom, moving from cleanest to dirtiest and from back to front.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Incorrect; this order would move from dirtier areas to cleaner areas.
- C. Incorrect; the top is generally considered cleaner than the back in a vertical flow hood.
- D. Incorrect; the sides are not the cleanest starting point.
LAFW Cleaning Order
The specific sequence for cleaning the interior surfaces of a Laminar Airflow Workbench (LAFW) to maintain sterility, moving from the cleanest area to the dirtiest.
- Follows a 'clean-to-dirty' principle.
- Typically top, back, sides, then bottom.
- Uses sterile 70% IPA.
- Prevents re-contamination of cleaned areas.
Memory trick: Top, Back, Sides, Bottom: Clean the Flow, Keep it Awesome!