Question

question 10

a pharmacy technician should identify that which of the following is the most effective method of hand hygiene before performing sterile compounding?

applying hand sanitizer without washing

wiping hands with a dry paper towel

performing a surgical hand scrub with antimicrobial soap for the required duration

wearing sterile gloves without prior hand hygiene

Explanation:

Analyze the requirements for sterile compounding

Using the Sterile Compounding knowledge point, hand hygiene must follow strict USP <797> standards to minimize microbial contamination before entering the cleanroom.

Evaluate the options

• Applying hand sanitizer without washing: Insufficient because physical debris and spores must be mechanically removed first.
• Wiping hands with a dry paper towel: Does not sanitize or remove microorganisms.
• Performing a surgical hand scrub with antimicrobial soap: This is the standard, most effective method to mechanically and chemically reduce microbial flora.
• Wearing sterile gloves without prior hand hygiene: Gloves can have micro-punctures, and skin flora can multiply rapidly underneath if hands are not washed first.

Answer:

• Applying hand sanitizer without washing
• Wiping hands with a dry paper towel
• Performing a surgical hand scrub with antimicrobial soap for the required duration (Correct answer)
• Wearing sterile gloves without prior hand hygiene