NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Ace your North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) with our comprehensive practice test. Features include interactive flashcards, multiple-choice questions, with detailed hints and explanations. Fast-track your pharmacy career today!

Practice this question and more.

Why should a propofol syringe be discarded within 6 hours?

Loss of potency
Risk of oxidation
Risk of bacterial growth
Chemical degradation

The correct answer is: Risk of bacterial growth

Propofol should be discarded within 6 hours primarily due to the risk of bacterial growth. Propofol is an emulsion that can support bacterial growth over time, especially once it is opened and exposed to the environment. Bacterial contamination of propofol can lead to serious infections if administered to patients. Therefore, it is essential to adhere to the recommended disposal time frame to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination and ensure patient safety. The other options are not the primary reasons for discarding propofol within 6 hours. While factors like loss of potency, risk of oxidation, and chemical degradation can also occur over time and may contribute to the necessity of discarding the syringe, the most critical reason in this case is the risk of bacterial growth.