Key Terms
Air Exchanges
new air replacements
Aseptic Technique
the manipulation of sterile products and devices to avoid contamination by disease-causing organisms;includes cleanroom protocols nad handwashing and gowning procedures
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
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
Distillation
process of boiling a liquid and capturing the condensed gases or vapor back into a purified liquid form
Epidemic
a regional widespread contagious disease
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 to be infused into the patient’s vein
Super Bugs
bacteria that are resistant to antibiotic therapies
IV Administration Set
a sterile, disposable device of many components used to deliver IV fluids to patients
Asepsis
the absence of pathogenic microorganisms
Bacterium
a small, single-celled microorganism that can exist in three main forms, depending on type: spherical, rod-shaped, and spiral
Sepsis
when an infection is so threatening to the body that the immune system begins to attack the body’s own blood vessels and organs causing inflammation, leaky vessels, organ failure, and septic shock
Phlebitis
an inflammation of the vein from the administration of drugs
LVP
IV solutions of more than 250 mL that may contain medication, nutrients, or electrolytes
Aseptic Hand Washing
a more aggressive soap and water hand washing procedure , followed by use of an antiseptic agent before donning sterile attire
Drop Factor
the number of drops that an IV tubing delivers to provide 1 mL; 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
In-Line Filter
a device used in the IV line to remove contaminants such as glass, fibers, bits of rubber, and bacteria from IV fluids
Filtration
funneling of a liquid or gas through filters, or mesh screens with minute holes to small for biological and chemical contaminants to pass through
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 the IV solution
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
ISO
an air quality classification from the International Organization for Standardization measures the amount of particulate matter in room air; the lower the ISO number, the less particulate matter present in the air
Protozoan
a single-celled organism that inhabits water and soil
Zone of Turbulence
wherever the unidirectional filtered air meets resistance or blockage, particularly between the DCA and compounding technician; also the area at the edges of the compounding counter where the horizontal airflow meets the buffer room air
Clean Room
an ISO-classified room in which the concentration of airborne particles is controlled to meet a specified airborne-particulate cleanliness class to prevent particle and microbial contamination of CSPs; also called the IV room or buffer room