keyterm
the number of times per hour that room air is replaced with filtered air
Air Exchanges
a device that uses steam, heat, and pressure to sterilize instruments and equipment.
Autoclave
a medication prepared using aseptic technique in a sterile environment.
Compounded Sterile Preparation (CSP)
the number of drops per milliliter (gtts/mL) delivered by IV tubing.
Drop factor
a site on IV tubing that allows medication to be injected into the IV line.
Injection Port
an ISO Class 8 area before the buffer room used for hand washing, garbing, and staging supplies.
Anteroom
a slide clamp used to completely stop the flow of IV solution through tubing.
Auxiliary Clamp
The part of a syringe, needle, or vial that must remain sterile to prevent contamination.
Critical Site
a regional outbreak of a contagious disease.
Epidemic
a device placed in IV tubing to remove particles or contaminants from IV fluids.
In-Line Filter
the absence of disease-causing microorganisms.
Asepsis
a single-celled microorganism that can exist in different shapes and may cause infection.
Bacterium
a chemical agent used on surfaces to destroy microorganisms (not necessarily spores).
Disinfectant
removal of particles from air or liquid by passing it through a filter
Filtration
sterile, disposable tubing used to deliver IV fluids and medications
IV administration set
a thorough hand-washing process using soap, water, and antiseptic to reduce microorganisms before sterile work
Aseptic hand washing
an ISO Class 7 (or cleaner) room where sterile compounding occurs and PECs are located.
Buffer room
a purification process involving boiling a liquid and condensing the vapor back into liquid.
Distillation
a filter that removes 99.97% of particles ≥0.3 microns.
HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter
a small-volume medication infused through a primary IV line.
IVPB (IV piggyback)
procedures used to prevent contamination of sterile products, including hand hygiene, garbing, and proper handling.
Aseptic technique
a controlled environment where airborne particles are limited to specific ISO standards.
Clean room
The chamber below the IV spike where drops are counted to regulate IV flow.
Drip chamber
a PEC that provides ISO Class 5 air using horizontal airflow for sterile compounding.
Horizontal Laminar Air Flow Workbench (H-LAFW)
IV solutions greater than 250 mL
LVP (Large Volume Parenteral)