Key Terms 1
Air Exchanges
new air replacements
Autoclave
a device that generates heat and pressure to sterilize objects instruments, and measures vessels
Compounded Sterile Preparation
a medication prepared with aseptic technique in a sterile, cleanroom facility
Drop factor
the number of drops that an IV tubing delivers to provide 1mL; this number may be used by nurses to calculate the IV flow rate when using certain types of primary IV tubing; also called drop set or drip set
Injection Port
a connector on the IV tubing which allows the injection of IV fluid or medication other than that in the current IV bag ot be infused into the patient’s vein
Anteroom
an ISO Class 8 room or area immediately before the buffer room in which hand washing, hygiene, and garbing are done and supplies and ingredients are gathered between the pharmacy department and the cleanroom or buffer area
Auxiliary Clamp
slide clamp used to completely stop the IV solution from flowing
Critical Site
the part of the syringe and/or needle that is at risk for contamination by touch or airflow interruption
Epidemic
a regional widespread contagious disease
Macrodrip IV Tubing
IV tubing sets that have a sufficient diameter to deliver 10, 15, 20 per milliliter (10 gtts/mL, 15 gtts/mL, 20gttsmL), used for adult patients
Asepsis
the absence of pathogenic microorganisms
Bactrium
a small, single-celled microorganism that can exist in three main forms, depending on type: spherical, rod-shaped, and spiral
Disinfectant
a chemical agent such as sterile 70% IPA used on inanimate surfaces and objects to destroy fungi, viruses, and bacteria, but not necessarily their spores
Filtration
funneling of a liquid or gas through filters, or mesh screens with minute holes too small for biological and chemical contaminants to pass through
Microdrip IV Tubing
IV tubing sets that have a smaller diameter and provide smaller drops and more drops per milliliter, such as 60 gtts/mL, used for pediatric patients and others who need more gradual dosing
Aseptic hand washing
a more aggressive soap and water hand washing procedure, followed by use of an antiseptic agent before donning sterile attire
Buffer room
an ISO Class 7 or cleaner area where the PECs are physically located; also called the IV or cleanroom
Distillation
process of boiling a liquid and capturing the condensed gases or vapor back into purified liquid form
HEPA
a device used to filter over 99% of particulate matter from the air to establish an aseptic environment in which to prepare CSPs
Phlebitis
an inflammation of the vein from the administration of drugs
Aseptic technique
the manipulation of sterile products and devices to avoid contamination by disease-causing organisms; includes cleanroom protocols and hand-washing and gowning procedures
Clean room
an ISO-classified room (or two-room configuration of a cleanroom area) in which the concentration of airborne particles is controlled to meet a specific airborne-particulate cleanliness class to prevent particle and microbial contamination of CSPs; also called the IV room or buffer room
Drip chamber
the small, open space just below the spike adaptor where the drops of fluid from the IV bag into the tubing are counted by the nurse to determine the flow rate of IV solution
Horizontal Laminar Air Flow Workbench
also known as a laminar hood, a PEC (with an ISO Class 5 air quality in its DCA) used to prepare IV drug admixtures, nutrition solutions, and other parenteral products aseptically
Positive Pressure
air is being blown into a room and therefore it has higher pressure than adjacent spaces so the net airflow is out of the area