CSPT Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation
Technician Exam 2026 Latest Study Guide with Practice
Questions Sterile Compounding Review, Verified Answers,
Detailed Rationales, Success Workbook
2026 Exam Content Outline:
Knowledge Domain Percentage
Sterile Compounding Procedures 53%
Facilities and Equipment 22%
Medications and Components 17%
Handling, Packaging, Storage, and Disposal 8%
SECTION 1: STERILE COMPOUNDING PROCEDURES (Questions 1-55)
Sterile Compounding Procedures is the largest domain at 53% of the exam,
covering aseptic technique, garbing, hand hygiene, calculations, compounding
procedures, and documentation .
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of the "first air" technique during sterile
compounding?
A) To increase the speed of compounding
B) To ensure that the sterile object or critical site is exposed only to HEPA-
filtered air
C) To reduce the temperature inside the hood
D) To prevent cross-contamination between different medications
,Answer: B) To ensure that the sterile object or critical site is exposed only to
HEPA-filtered air
Rationale: First air refers to the HEPA-filtered air immediately exiting the hood's
filter. The critical sites of components and the compounding process must be
performed within the first air to maintain sterility . Working within first air
minimizes the risk of contamination from turbulent air or the technician.
Question 2
Which of the following is the correct order for donning sterile garb for non-
hazardous compounding?
A) Shoe covers → head cover → face mask → gown → sterile gloves
B) Head cover → face mask → shoe covers → gown → sterile gloves
C) Sterile gloves → gown → face mask → head cover → shoe covers
D) Gown → shoe covers → head cover → face mask → sterile gloves
Answer: B) Head cover → face mask → shoe covers → gown → sterile gloves
Rationale: The correct garbing sequence is head cover first, then face mask, shoe
covers, gown, and finally sterile gloves . Hair should be completely covered, and
the face mask should cover the nose and mouth. Gloves are donned last after all
other garb to prevent contamination .
Question 3
How often must gloved fingertip sampling be performed to assess sterile
compounding competency?
A) Annually
B) Semiannually (every 6 months)
C) Quarterly
D) Monthly
Answer: B) Semiannually (every 6 months)
Rationale: Gloved fingertip sampling must be performed at least every 6 months
(semiannually) to assess the competency of compounding personnel . This test
evaluates the technician's ability to maintain aseptic technique. Media fill testing is
also required initially and annually.
,Question 4
A technician is compounding a sterile preparation and notices particulate matter in
the final product. What should the technician do?
A) Dispense the preparation and document the particulates
B) Discard the preparation and investigate the source of contamination
C) Filter the preparation and dispense it
D) Continue compounding as planned
Answer: B) Discard the preparation and investigate the source of
contamination
Rationale: Particulates in a compounded sterile preparation indicate contamination
or defective compounding . The preparation must be discarded, and the technician
should investigate the source of contamination (e.g., vial coring, filter integrity,
environmental issues). Dispensing contaminated preparations can cause serious
patient harm.
Question 5
What is the maximum allowable microbial count in an ISO Class 5 environment
during dynamic (operational) conditions?
A) Zero (no growth) on contact plates
B) Less than 10 CFU
C) Less than 100 CFU
D) Less than 1,000 CFU
Answer: A) Zero (no growth) on contact plates
Rationale: In an ISO Class 5 environment under dynamic conditions, there should
be zero growth on contact plates for surface monitoring . Viable air sampling has
action levels of < 1 CFU/m³ for ISO 5. Any growth indicates a breach in aseptic
technique or environmental control.
Question 6
A medication order reads: "Heparin 25,000 units in 500 mL NS to infuse at 1,200
units/hr." What is the infusion rate in mL/hr?
, A) 12 mL/hr
B) 24 mL/hr
C) 36 mL/hr
D) 48 mL/hr
Answer: B) 24 mL/hr
Rationale: The concentration is 25,000 units / 500 mL = 50 units/mL . To deliver
1,200 units/hr: 1,200 units ÷ 50 units/mL = 24 mL/hr . The technician must verify
this calculation independently rather than relying on the label.
Question 7
Which of the following personal hygiene practices is NOT permitted for sterile
compounding personnel?
A) Wearing a face mask
B) Wearing artificial nails
C) Removing visible jewelry
D) Wearing a head cover
Answer: B) Wearing artificial nails
Rationale: Artificial nails, long nails, and nail polish are prohibited for sterile
compounding personnel because they can harbor bacteria and shed particles .
Visible jewelry must also be removed. Personnel with active respiratory infections,
rashes, or weeping sores should not compound sterile preparations .
Question 8
What is the purpose of a media fill test (media fill challenge)?
A) To test the potency of the final product
B) To simulate the compounding process and assess aseptic technique
C) To test the sterility of the final product
D) To test the stability of the compounded preparation
Answer: B) To simulate the compounding process and assess aseptic
technique
Technician Exam 2026 Latest Study Guide with Practice
Questions Sterile Compounding Review, Verified Answers,
Detailed Rationales, Success Workbook
2026 Exam Content Outline:
Knowledge Domain Percentage
Sterile Compounding Procedures 53%
Facilities and Equipment 22%
Medications and Components 17%
Handling, Packaging, Storage, and Disposal 8%
SECTION 1: STERILE COMPOUNDING PROCEDURES (Questions 1-55)
Sterile Compounding Procedures is the largest domain at 53% of the exam,
covering aseptic technique, garbing, hand hygiene, calculations, compounding
procedures, and documentation .
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of the "first air" technique during sterile
compounding?
A) To increase the speed of compounding
B) To ensure that the sterile object or critical site is exposed only to HEPA-
filtered air
C) To reduce the temperature inside the hood
D) To prevent cross-contamination between different medications
,Answer: B) To ensure that the sterile object or critical site is exposed only to
HEPA-filtered air
Rationale: First air refers to the HEPA-filtered air immediately exiting the hood's
filter. The critical sites of components and the compounding process must be
performed within the first air to maintain sterility . Working within first air
minimizes the risk of contamination from turbulent air or the technician.
Question 2
Which of the following is the correct order for donning sterile garb for non-
hazardous compounding?
A) Shoe covers → head cover → face mask → gown → sterile gloves
B) Head cover → face mask → shoe covers → gown → sterile gloves
C) Sterile gloves → gown → face mask → head cover → shoe covers
D) Gown → shoe covers → head cover → face mask → sterile gloves
Answer: B) Head cover → face mask → shoe covers → gown → sterile gloves
Rationale: The correct garbing sequence is head cover first, then face mask, shoe
covers, gown, and finally sterile gloves . Hair should be completely covered, and
the face mask should cover the nose and mouth. Gloves are donned last after all
other garb to prevent contamination .
Question 3
How often must gloved fingertip sampling be performed to assess sterile
compounding competency?
A) Annually
B) Semiannually (every 6 months)
C) Quarterly
D) Monthly
Answer: B) Semiannually (every 6 months)
Rationale: Gloved fingertip sampling must be performed at least every 6 months
(semiannually) to assess the competency of compounding personnel . This test
evaluates the technician's ability to maintain aseptic technique. Media fill testing is
also required initially and annually.
,Question 4
A technician is compounding a sterile preparation and notices particulate matter in
the final product. What should the technician do?
A) Dispense the preparation and document the particulates
B) Discard the preparation and investigate the source of contamination
C) Filter the preparation and dispense it
D) Continue compounding as planned
Answer: B) Discard the preparation and investigate the source of
contamination
Rationale: Particulates in a compounded sterile preparation indicate contamination
or defective compounding . The preparation must be discarded, and the technician
should investigate the source of contamination (e.g., vial coring, filter integrity,
environmental issues). Dispensing contaminated preparations can cause serious
patient harm.
Question 5
What is the maximum allowable microbial count in an ISO Class 5 environment
during dynamic (operational) conditions?
A) Zero (no growth) on contact plates
B) Less than 10 CFU
C) Less than 100 CFU
D) Less than 1,000 CFU
Answer: A) Zero (no growth) on contact plates
Rationale: In an ISO Class 5 environment under dynamic conditions, there should
be zero growth on contact plates for surface monitoring . Viable air sampling has
action levels of < 1 CFU/m³ for ISO 5. Any growth indicates a breach in aseptic
technique or environmental control.
Question 6
A medication order reads: "Heparin 25,000 units in 500 mL NS to infuse at 1,200
units/hr." What is the infusion rate in mL/hr?
, A) 12 mL/hr
B) 24 mL/hr
C) 36 mL/hr
D) 48 mL/hr
Answer: B) 24 mL/hr
Rationale: The concentration is 25,000 units / 500 mL = 50 units/mL . To deliver
1,200 units/hr: 1,200 units ÷ 50 units/mL = 24 mL/hr . The technician must verify
this calculation independently rather than relying on the label.
Question 7
Which of the following personal hygiene practices is NOT permitted for sterile
compounding personnel?
A) Wearing a face mask
B) Wearing artificial nails
C) Removing visible jewelry
D) Wearing a head cover
Answer: B) Wearing artificial nails
Rationale: Artificial nails, long nails, and nail polish are prohibited for sterile
compounding personnel because they can harbor bacteria and shed particles .
Visible jewelry must also be removed. Personnel with active respiratory infections,
rashes, or weeping sores should not compound sterile preparations .
Question 8
What is the purpose of a media fill test (media fill challenge)?
A) To test the potency of the final product
B) To simulate the compounding process and assess aseptic technique
C) To test the sterility of the final product
D) To test the stability of the compounded preparation
Answer: B) To simulate the compounding process and assess aseptic
technique
