Rhode Island Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence (MPJE) Practice Exam

What kind of pressure is required in a chemotherapy room?

1. Positive pressure

2. Neutral pressure

3. Negative pressure

4. Variable pressure

The correct answer is: Negative pressure

In a chemotherapy room, negative pressure is required to ensure the safety of both patients and healthcare workers. This specific type of pressure containment helps to prevent the escape of potentially harmful airborne contaminants such as chemotherapy agents. By maintaining a negative pressure environment, any harmful particles or vapors are contained within the room and not allowed to circulate into other areas of the facility. This is crucial because chemotherapy drugs can be toxic, and it is important to protect everyone in the surrounding zones from inadvertent exposure. While positive pressure is often used in sterile compounding areas to prevent contaminants from entering the space, in the context of chemotherapy, the priority is to isolate hazardous substances. Neutral pressure may be utilized in certain contexts to balance airflow but does not provide the necessary containment. Variable pressure is not a standard practice in chemotherapy rooms, which require consistent negative pressure for optimal safety.