Parenterals: Sterile Formulations Study Review

A collection of flashcards to review key concepts related to parenteral sterile formulations, measurement units, and related terms for exam preparation.

What should be used to properly dispose of drugs and supplies used in making parenteral admixtures?

A sharps container or following EPA and local landfill procedures.

What units are commonly used to describe concentrations of electrolytes in parenteral solutions?

Equivalent (Eq/L) or milliequivalent (mEq/L) concentrations.

How do percentage concentrations refer to the drug's weight for solids?

Weight per 100 ml.

How do percentage concentrations refer to the drug's volume for liquids?

Volume per 100 ml.

What is an additive in parenteral solutions?

A drug that is added to a parenteral solution.

What is an admixture in parenteral solutions?

The resulting solution when a drug is added to a parenteral solution.

What are ampules?

Sealed glass containers with an elongated neck.

What does anhydrous mean?

Without water molecules.

What are aseptic techniques?

Methods that maintain sterility of sterile products.

What is a bevel in relation to needles?

An angled surface at the tip of a needle.

Define compounded sterile preparation (CSP).

A compounded sterile parenteral dosage form that will be parenterally administered.

What is coring in the context of needle usage?

When a needle damages the rubber closure of a parenteral container, causing fragments to fall into the container.

What is a depth filter?

A filter that can filter solutions being drawn into or out of a syringe, but not both ways in the same procedure.

What is dialysis?

Movement of particles in a solution through permeable membranes.

What is a diluent?

A solvent that dissolves a lyophilized powder or dilutes a solution.

What is equivalent weight?

A drug’s molecular weight divided by its valence.

What is a final filter?

A filter placed immediately before a solution enters a patient’s vein.

What does a Flashball do?

It is an injection device used when a primary large volume parenteral (LVP) solution is not available.

What is flow rate in parenteral administration?

The rate (in ml/hour or ml/minute) at which the solution is administered to the patient.

What is the gauge of a needle?

A measurement of the needle's diameter.

What is a HEPA filter?

A high-efficiency particulate air filter.

What is a heparin lock?

Flexible rubber tubing near the needle adapter of an administration set used to determine if the needle is properly placed in the vein.

What is a horizontal flow hood?

A laminar flow hood where the air crosses the work area in a horizontal direction.

Define a hub in the context of needles.

The part of the needle that attaches to the syringe.

What is hypertonic?

When a solution has a greater osmolarity than that of blood.

What is hypotonic?

When a solution has a lesser osmolarity than that of blood.

What are ions?

Molecular particles that carry electric charges.

What is an irrigation solution?

Large volume splash solutions used during surgical or urologic procedures to bathe and moisten body tissues.

What is isotonic?

When a solution has an osmolarity equivalent to that of blood.

What is laminar flow?

Continuous movement at a uniform rate in one direction.

What is a lumen in the context of a needle?

The hollow center of a needle.

What is a lyophilized substance?

A substance that has been freeze-dried.

What is a membrane filter?

A filter that filters solution as it is expelled from the syringe.

What is molecular weight?

The sum of the atomic weights of a molecule.

What is osmosis?

The action in which a drug in a higher concentration solution passes through a permeable membrane to a lower concentration solution.

What is osmotic pressure?

A characteristic of a solution determined by the number of dissolved particles in it.

What is peritoneal dialysis solution?

A solution placed in and emptied from the peritoneal cavity to remove toxic substances.

What are piggybacks in IV therapy?

Small volume solutions connected to a large volume parenteral solution.

What are pyrogens?

Chemicals produced by microorganisms that can cause fever reactions in patients.

What does ready-to-mix refer to?

A specially designed minibag where a drug is put into the small volume parenteral (SVP) fluid just prior to administration.

What is the shaft of a needle?

The stem of the needle that provides the overall length of the needle.

What are sharps?

Any object that can puncture or cut the skin of anyone who handles them.

What are Slip-Tip®, Luer-Lok®, and eccentric?

Different types of syringe tips.

What does total nutrient admixture (TNA) solution mean?

Complex solutions with two base solutions (amino acids and dextrose) and additional micro-nutrients.

What distinguishes a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution?

It's a TPN solution that contains an intravenous fat emulsion.

Which parenteral solution is not required to be sterile?

Intranasa.

What do pyrogens produce?

Fever.

What is the purpose of USP/NF

To prevent harm and fatality to patients that can result from nonsterile formulations.

What are examples of ready-to-mix systems?

Add-a-Vial®, Add-Vantage® system, and the Mini-Bag Plus® system.

How long can multidose vials be reused if refrigerated?

They can be reused within 28 days if refrigerated.

How are irrigation solutions administered?

Through a special administration set.

How does a horizontal laminar flow hood operate?

Air blows down toward the work area.

In laminar flow, how many directions does the air move?

One direction.

How long should a laminar flow hood run before use if turned off?

At least 30 minutes.

What is required for a clean room?

It must have restricted air flow.

What is the function of ISO Class 5 laminar flow hoods?

To create and maintain a sterile environment.

What does aseptic technique refer to?

Methods used to maintain sterility of sterile products.

How far inside the laminar flow hood should a technician work?

At least six inches.

Why is air injected into a vial before withdrawing a solution?

To provide a negative pressure so the solution will not spray when the needle is removed.

Which direction should the ampule neck be snapped open?

Away from the HEPA filter.

What size syringe should be used for 2.4 ml of diluent?

5 ml.

What is used to set the flow rate of an administration set?

Volume control chamber.

What are peristaltic, cassette, and elastomeric pumps examples of?

Administration sets.

What indicates incompatibilities between a drug and a base IV fluid?

The presence of a precipitate.

What can visual inspection of parenteral solutions show?

Particle contamination and precipitation.

Which concentration term does not use molecular weight?

Percentage weight per volume.