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TL;DR

Study the principles of infection prevention including hand hygiene, PPE use, and transmission-based precautions. Infection control is one of the most heavily weighted sections on the PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification.

By Valenke Exam Prep Team·Last updated 2026-06-03

Free Infection Control in Pharmacy Practice Questions

PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification · Patient Safety & Quality Assurance

This module covers Infection Control in Pharmacy as part of the Patient Safety & Quality Assurance section, testing your understanding of core concepts and their practical application.

ExamPTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification
Pass Rate72%
Duration120 minutes
ModuleInfection Control in Pharmacy

Why Infection Control in Pharmacy matters

Infection Control in Pharmacy is heavily weighted on the PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification because lapses in safety protocols directly threaten patient outcomes.

Sample Practice Questions (5)

1. A sporicidal agent is used in the clean room in addition to 70% IPA because:

  • 70% IPA does not kill bacterial spores; a sporicidal agent is needed monthly (or per facility protocol) to eliminate spore-forming organisms
  • 70% IPA is too expensive for daily use
  • Sporicidal agents clean surfaces faster than IPA
  • The FDA requires sporicidal agents for every cleaning

2. A pharmacy technician has a small cut on their hand. What should they do before entering the sterile compounding area?

  • Cover the wound with a waterproof bandage, perform hand hygiene, and don sterile gloves — or refrain from compounding if the wound cannot be adequately covered
  • Enter the compounding area as usual since gloves will cover the wound
  • Apply antibiotic ointment and leave the wound uncovered
  • Report the wound but continue compounding without any covering

3. When cleaning the interior of a horizontal LAFW, the technician should wipe:

  • The sides first (top to bottom), then the work surface (back to front), using sterile 70% IPA and lint-free wipes
  • The work surface first, then the sides, back to front
  • In circular motions starting from the center
  • Only the work surface — sides do not need cleaning

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4. The LAFW or BSC should be turned on and allowed to purge for how long before beginning compounding?

  • At least 30 minutes
  • 5 minutes
  • 2 minutes
  • No warm-up time is needed

5. Before entering the sterile compounding buffer area, personnel must remove which personal items?

  • All jewelry (including rings, bracelets, watches), artificial nails, nail polish, and cosmetics that shed particles
  • Only rings and watches
  • Nothing needs to be removed if gloves are worn
  • Only outer clothing

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Infection Control in Pharmacy questions are on the PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification?
The Patient Safety & Quality Assurance section, which includes Infection Control in Pharmacy, typically represents a significant portion of the exam. Focus on understanding core concepts rather than memorizing exact question counts, as the exam uses adaptive testing.
What is the best way to study Infection Control in Pharmacy?
Use active recall and spaced repetition rather than passive reading. Practice with realistic exam questions, review explanations for both correct and incorrect answers, and focus on understanding the reasoning behind each concept.
What are common mistakes on Infection Control in Pharmacy exam questions?
The most common error is choosing an answer that sounds correct in general but violates a specific safety protocol. Always choose the most conservative safety-first option, and remember that hand hygiene is almost always part of the correct answer.