PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)MedicationsMedium
A pharmacy technician is preparing a non-sterile oral solution. The master formula calls for 'Purified Water, USP' as the vehicle. What is the primary characteristic of Purified Water, USP, that makes it suitable for this application?
- AIt is naturally occurring spring water with minimal processing.
- BIt is sterile and pyrogen-free.
- CIt contains added electrolytes for patient hydration.
- DIt has been processed to remove most dissolved solids and organic compounds.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. It has been processed to remove most dissolved solids and organic compounds.
Purified Water, USP, is produced by distillation, deionization, or reverse osmosis to remove most dissolved inorganic and organic solids. This makes it suitable for compounding non-sterile preparations where the absence of these impurities is important, but sterility and pyrogen-free status are not required.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Purified Water, USP, is a highly processed product, not naturally occurring spring water.
- B. Sterile Water for Injection, USP, is sterile and pyrogen-free, but Purified Water, USP, is not necessarily sterile.
- C. Water with added electrolytes is typically for specific hydration purposes, not a general compounding vehicle.
Purified Water, USP
Water that has undergone purification processes (distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis) to remove most dissolved solids and organic compounds, suitable for non-sterile compounding.
- Not required to be sterile or pyrogen-free.
- Used as a solvent or vehicle in non-sterile preparations.
- Meets specific USP monographs for purity.
Memory trick: Different 'Water Types' for 'Different Uses', know their 'Purity Grades'.