Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) Exam 2026:
Comprehensive Professional Certification Practice Examination —
Aseptic Technique, Sterile Compounding, Cleanroom Standards,
Contamination Control, Hazardous Drugs, Dose Calculations &
Quality Assurance — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers &
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL AND ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE (Questions 1–30)
Question 1
Which organization publishes the primary standards for sterile compounding in the United
States?
A. The Joint Commission
B. United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
C. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
D. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: USP publishes enforceable compounding standards, notably USP <797> and
<800>, which govern sterile preparation practices nationally.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of garbing in the sterile compounding area?
A. To protect the compounder's clothing from spills
B. To minimize microbial contamination of the compounded preparation
,C. To comply with OSHA workplace safety rules
D. To improve visibility in the cleanroom
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Garbing reduces shedding of microorganisms and particles from the
compounder, protecting the sterile preparation from contamination.
Question 3
Which item of personal protective equipment must be donned FIRST when garbing for a
sterile compounding area?
A. Sterile gloves
B. Face mask
C. Shoe covers
D. Hair cover
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Shoe covers are applied first because they are the dirtiest garment and must be
donned before entering the cleaner garbing zones.
Question 4
A technician accidentally touches the keypad of an IV pump after donning sterile gloves.
What is the appropriate action?
A. Continue compounding; the pump is outside the hood
B. Remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, and reglove
C. Wipe gloves with alcohol and continue
,D. Apply a second pair of gloves over the first
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Any contact with non-sterile surfaces contaminates gloves, requiring removal,
hand hygiene, and application of new sterile gloves before continuing.
Question 5
What is the minimum acceptable hand hygiene method before donning sterile gloves in a
compounding area?
A. Rinse with water only
B. Alcohol-based hand rub only
C. Surgical hand scrub with antimicrobial soap and water
D. Wipe hands with sterile gauze
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A surgical hand scrub removes transient and resident flora, providing the
cleanest baseline before sterile glove application.
Question 6
Which of the following best describes the purpose of a laminar airflow workbench (LAFW)?
A. To sterilize medications by ultraviolet light
B. To provide ISO Class 5 air to protect the critical site
C. To heat-compound sterile products
D. To store compounded preparations
, Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A LAFW delivers HEPA-filtered ISO Class 5 air over the critical site, preventing
contamination during compounding.
Question 7
In which direction does air flow in a horizontal laminar airflow workbench?
A. From the operator toward the HEPA filter
B. From the HEPA filter toward the operator
C. From ceiling to floor
D. From floor to ceiling
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Horizontal LAFWs push HEPA-filtered air from the back filter toward the
operator, bathing the critical site in clean air.
Question 8
Why must the compounder avoid placing objects between the HEPA filter and the critical
site?
A. It improves airflow velocity
B. It blocks the sterile field from receiving clean air
C. It prevents static electricity
D. It reduces noise levels
Correct Answer: B
Comprehensive Professional Certification Practice Examination —
Aseptic Technique, Sterile Compounding, Cleanroom Standards,
Contamination Control, Hazardous Drugs, Dose Calculations &
Quality Assurance — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers &
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL AND ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE (Questions 1–30)
Question 1
Which organization publishes the primary standards for sterile compounding in the United
States?
A. The Joint Commission
B. United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
C. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
D. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: USP publishes enforceable compounding standards, notably USP <797> and
<800>, which govern sterile preparation practices nationally.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of garbing in the sterile compounding area?
A. To protect the compounder's clothing from spills
B. To minimize microbial contamination of the compounded preparation
,C. To comply with OSHA workplace safety rules
D. To improve visibility in the cleanroom
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Garbing reduces shedding of microorganisms and particles from the
compounder, protecting the sterile preparation from contamination.
Question 3
Which item of personal protective equipment must be donned FIRST when garbing for a
sterile compounding area?
A. Sterile gloves
B. Face mask
C. Shoe covers
D. Hair cover
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Shoe covers are applied first because they are the dirtiest garment and must be
donned before entering the cleaner garbing zones.
Question 4
A technician accidentally touches the keypad of an IV pump after donning sterile gloves.
What is the appropriate action?
A. Continue compounding; the pump is outside the hood
B. Remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, and reglove
C. Wipe gloves with alcohol and continue
,D. Apply a second pair of gloves over the first
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Any contact with non-sterile surfaces contaminates gloves, requiring removal,
hand hygiene, and application of new sterile gloves before continuing.
Question 5
What is the minimum acceptable hand hygiene method before donning sterile gloves in a
compounding area?
A. Rinse with water only
B. Alcohol-based hand rub only
C. Surgical hand scrub with antimicrobial soap and water
D. Wipe hands with sterile gauze
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A surgical hand scrub removes transient and resident flora, providing the
cleanest baseline before sterile glove application.
Question 6
Which of the following best describes the purpose of a laminar airflow workbench (LAFW)?
A. To sterilize medications by ultraviolet light
B. To provide ISO Class 5 air to protect the critical site
C. To heat-compound sterile products
D. To store compounded preparations
, Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A LAFW delivers HEPA-filtered ISO Class 5 air over the critical site, preventing
contamination during compounding.
Question 7
In which direction does air flow in a horizontal laminar airflow workbench?
A. From the operator toward the HEPA filter
B. From the HEPA filter toward the operator
C. From ceiling to floor
D. From floor to ceiling
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Horizontal LAFWs push HEPA-filtered air from the back filter toward the
operator, bathing the critical site in clean air.
Question 8
Why must the compounder avoid placing objects between the HEPA filter and the critical
site?
A. It improves airflow velocity
B. It blocks the sterile field from receiving clean air
C. It prevents static electricity
D. It reduces noise levels
Correct Answer: B
