Question 46

A reusable counting tray used to count out hazardous drugs such as mercaptopurine tablets must be decontaminated after each use.

Decontaminating a reusable counting tray after each use is essential to ensure safety and prevent contamination when handling hazardous drugs like mercaptopurine tablets. This procedure minimizes the risk of exposure to hazardous substances for healthcare workers and patients.

A) Disposed of after each use

This option is incorrect because USP Chapter 800 does not require the disposal of counting trays after each use. Instead, reusable trays must undergo proper decontamination processes to ensure they can be safely used multiple times.

B) Activated before each use

This option is also incorrect. There is no requirement in USP Chapter 800 for counting trays to be activated prior to use. The focus is on decontamination rather than activation, making this choice irrelevant to the context.

C) Sterilized before each use

While sterilization may seem like a thorough method of ensuring safety, it is not the specific requirement outlined in USP Chapter 800 for counting trays. The emphasis is on decontamination rather than sterilization, which is reserved for items that must be free from all microorganisms.

D) Decontaminated after each use

This option is correct as per USP Chapter 800 guidelines. Decontamination after each use ensures that any hazardous residues from the drugs are effectively removed, maintaining a safe environment for subsequent uses of the tray.

Conclusion

The requirement for decontamination after each use, as stated in option D, is crucial for minimizing hazardous drug exposure risks. Other options either misinterpret the guidelines or propose actions that are unnecessary or inappropriate for ensuring safety in handling hazardous substances. Thus, option D is the only correct choice in this context.