Compounding Basics for the PTCB Exam: USP 795, 797 and 800
Updated October 27, 2026
Compounding questions on the PTCE focus on which USP chapter applies, how to keep sterile preparations sterile, and how to handle hazardous drugs safely. Here’s an overview, followed by free practice questions.
Your pharmacy’s procedures and the current USP chapters are the standard at work; this page covers the basics the exam expects.
The three USP chapters
| Chapter | Covers |
|---|---|
| USP 795 | Nonsterile compounding, such as creams, ointments and oral liquids |
| USP 797 | Sterile compounding, such as IV admixtures and injections |
| USP 800 | Handling hazardous drugs, such as many chemotherapy drugs |
Hand hygiene and garbing for sterile compounding
Garb goes on from the dirtiest to the cleanest areas: shoe covers, head and facial hair covers, and a face mask first; then hand hygiene; then a gown; then sterile gloves last.
Primary engineering controls
- Laminar airflow workbench (hood): blows HEPA-filtered air across the work area. Work at least about 6 inches inside the hood, and never block the airflow between the HEPA filter and the critical site.
- Biological safety cabinet (BSC) or a compounding aseptic containment isolator (CACI): used for hazardous drugs, to protect the worker as well as the preparation.
Hazardous drugs
Hazardous drugs need special handling to protect workers: proper personal protective equipment such as chemotherapy gloves and gowns, containment equipment, and correct spill cleanup and disposal.
Free compounding practice questions
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Which USP chapter covers sterile compounding?Answer: CUSP 797 covers sterile compounding. USP 795 covers nonsterile compounding and USP 800 covers hazardous drugs.
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Which is put on last when garbing for sterile compounding?Answer: DGarbing goes from dirtiest to cleanest, and sterile gloves are put on last, after hand hygiene and the gown.
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Which USP chapter covers handling hazardous drugs such as chemotherapy?Answer: CUSP 800 sets standards for handling hazardous drugs to protect health care workers, patients and the environment.
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Compounding a cream from powders and an ointment base falls under which chapter?Answer: ACreams, ointments and oral liquids are nonsterile preparations, covered by USP 795.
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Why should nothing block the airflow between the HEPA filter and the critical site in a laminar airflow hood?Answer: BThe HEPA-filtered "first air" keeps the critical site clean. Anything placed between the filter and the critical site can carry contamination onto it.
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Which equipment is used to compound hazardous drugs, protecting the worker?Answer: DHazardous drugs are compounded in containment equipment such as a biological safety cabinet or containment isolator, which protects the worker. A horizontal laminar airflow hood blows air toward the worker.
Pass the PTCB exam on your first try
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