FPGEE for National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Practice Exam

What type of isolation is required for compounding chemotherapy drugs?

1. Horizontal laminar airflow workbench (LAFW)

2. Biological safety cabinets (BSC)

3. Compounding aseptic isolators (CAI)

4. Positive pressure rooms

The correct answer is: Biological safety cabinets (BSC)

Biological safety cabinets (BSC) are specifically designed to protect the worker, environment, and the product during the compounding of hazardous drugs, such as chemotherapy agents. These cabinets are equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that create a sterile and controlled environment. The airflow within a BSC is designed to ensure that any aerosols or hazardous particles generated during compounding are contained and not released into the surrounding area. This is crucial in the context of chemotherapy preparations, as these drugs pose a risk not only to the patients receiving them but also to healthcare workers involved in their preparation. In addition to protecting the healthcare worker, a BSC also provides a clean environment for the compounding of chemotherapy drugs, reducing the risk of contamination. Compounding involves various practices that could potentially lead to exposure, therefore, the use of a BSC is an essential part of maintaining safety protocols when handling these hazardous materials. Other options, such as horizontal laminar airflow workbenches (LAFW), are primarily used for compounding non-hazardous products, while compounding aseptic isolators (CAI) primarily focus on maintaining a sterile environment but may not provide the same level of protection against hazardous drug exposure. Positive pressure rooms are