CSPT Certification Exam 2026: Comprehensive Compounded Sterile
Preparation Technician Practice Test — Aseptic Technique, Sterile
Compounding, Cleanroom Standards, USP Compliance, Quality
Assurance & Hazardous Drugs — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions
with Answers & Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL AND ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A pharmacy technician is preparing to compound sterile products in an ISO Class 5 laminar
airflow hood. Which action should be performed FIRST before beginning any compounding
activities?
A. Wipe down all surfaces with 70% isopropyl alcohol
B. Perform hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE
C. Turn on the laminar airflow hood and let it run for 30 minutes
D. Gather all needed supplies and place them in the hood
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hand hygiene and PPE donning must precede all compounding activities to
prevent contamination. This is the foundational first step in aseptic technique before any
equipment preparation.
Question 2
During routine cleaning of a biological safety cabinet, a technician notices visible residue on
the work surface. What is the MOST appropriate action?
,A. Continue working since the residue is not in the direct compounding area
B. Clean the area with sterile water followed by 70% IPA
C. Clean from the perimeter toward the center of the work surface
D. Clean from the center toward the perimeter of the work surface
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Cleaning should always proceed from the cleanest area (center) to the dirtiest
(perimeter) to prevent spreading contamination back into the critical zone.
Question 3
A technician is observed sneezing during a compounding session while wearing a face mask.
What should happen immediately?
A. The technician should change the mask and continue compounding
B. The technician should exit the compounding area, perform hand hygiene, and regown
C. All compounded preparations must be discarded and the process restarted
D. The technician should apply hand sanitizer and continue
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sneezing compromises PPE integrity. The technician must exit, perform hand
hygiene, don new PPE, and restart the aseptic process to maintain sterility assurance.
Question 4
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a "first air" concept in laminar airflow
workstations?
,A. Air that has passed through the HEPA filter and is the cleanest air in the hood
B. Air that enters the hood from the surrounding environment
C. Air that has been recirculated within the hood
D. Air that contacts the technician's gloves first
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: First air is HEPA-filtered air that has not contacted any objects. Critical sites
must be exposed only to first air to maintain sterility during compounding.
Question 5
A technician is preparing to compound and notices a small tear in the fingertip of their
sterile gloves. What is the appropriate course of action?
A. Apply a second pair of gloves over the torn ones
B. Cover the tear with sterile tape
C. Remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, and don new sterile gloves
D. Continue working since the tear is small
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Any breach in sterile glove integrity compromises the sterile field. Gloves must
be immediately replaced following proper hand hygiene procedures to prevent
contamination.
Question 6
, When performing hand hygiene before compounding, which technique is MOST
appropriate?
A. Use hand sanitizer only for 10 seconds
B. Wash hands and forearms with soap and water for at least 30 seconds, then apply
alcohol-based rub
C. Rinse hands with sterile water only
D. Use antimicrobial wipes on hands and arms
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Thorough hand washing with soap and water for at least 30 seconds followed
by alcohol-based rub removes transient flora and reduces resident flora before donning
sterile gloves.
Question 7
What is the MINIMUM acceptable glove type for sterile compounding?
A. Latex examination gloves
B. Vinyl examination gloves
C. Sterile, powder-free gloves
D. Nitrile examination gloves, non-sterile
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sterile, powder-free gloves are required for sterile compounding. Powder can
contaminate preparations, and non-sterile gloves introduce microorganisms to the critical
site.
Preparation Technician Practice Test — Aseptic Technique, Sterile
Compounding, Cleanroom Standards, USP Compliance, Quality
Assurance & Hazardous Drugs — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions
with Answers & Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL AND ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A pharmacy technician is preparing to compound sterile products in an ISO Class 5 laminar
airflow hood. Which action should be performed FIRST before beginning any compounding
activities?
A. Wipe down all surfaces with 70% isopropyl alcohol
B. Perform hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE
C. Turn on the laminar airflow hood and let it run for 30 minutes
D. Gather all needed supplies and place them in the hood
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hand hygiene and PPE donning must precede all compounding activities to
prevent contamination. This is the foundational first step in aseptic technique before any
equipment preparation.
Question 2
During routine cleaning of a biological safety cabinet, a technician notices visible residue on
the work surface. What is the MOST appropriate action?
,A. Continue working since the residue is not in the direct compounding area
B. Clean the area with sterile water followed by 70% IPA
C. Clean from the perimeter toward the center of the work surface
D. Clean from the center toward the perimeter of the work surface
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Cleaning should always proceed from the cleanest area (center) to the dirtiest
(perimeter) to prevent spreading contamination back into the critical zone.
Question 3
A technician is observed sneezing during a compounding session while wearing a face mask.
What should happen immediately?
A. The technician should change the mask and continue compounding
B. The technician should exit the compounding area, perform hand hygiene, and regown
C. All compounded preparations must be discarded and the process restarted
D. The technician should apply hand sanitizer and continue
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sneezing compromises PPE integrity. The technician must exit, perform hand
hygiene, don new PPE, and restart the aseptic process to maintain sterility assurance.
Question 4
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a "first air" concept in laminar airflow
workstations?
,A. Air that has passed through the HEPA filter and is the cleanest air in the hood
B. Air that enters the hood from the surrounding environment
C. Air that has been recirculated within the hood
D. Air that contacts the technician's gloves first
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: First air is HEPA-filtered air that has not contacted any objects. Critical sites
must be exposed only to first air to maintain sterility during compounding.
Question 5
A technician is preparing to compound and notices a small tear in the fingertip of their
sterile gloves. What is the appropriate course of action?
A. Apply a second pair of gloves over the torn ones
B. Cover the tear with sterile tape
C. Remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, and don new sterile gloves
D. Continue working since the tear is small
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Any breach in sterile glove integrity compromises the sterile field. Gloves must
be immediately replaced following proper hand hygiene procedures to prevent
contamination.
Question 6
, When performing hand hygiene before compounding, which technique is MOST
appropriate?
A. Use hand sanitizer only for 10 seconds
B. Wash hands and forearms with soap and water for at least 30 seconds, then apply
alcohol-based rub
C. Rinse hands with sterile water only
D. Use antimicrobial wipes on hands and arms
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Thorough hand washing with soap and water for at least 30 seconds followed
by alcohol-based rub removes transient flora and reduces resident flora before donning
sterile gloves.
Question 7
What is the MINIMUM acceptable glove type for sterile compounding?
A. Latex examination gloves
B. Vinyl examination gloves
C. Sterile, powder-free gloves
D. Nitrile examination gloves, non-sterile
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sterile, powder-free gloves are required for sterile compounding. Powder can
contaminate preparations, and non-sterile gloves introduce microorganisms to the critical
site.
