Unopened HD injections prepackaged in pre-filled syringes from the manufacturers may be handled without donning chemotherapy gloves.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not Applicable
• D. Unknown

Answer: (B)

Handling hazardous drugs depends on how much you are manipulating the product. When an HD injection is unopened and still in its original, prefilled syringe from the manufacturer, it is a closed system. There’s no exposure risk from piercing or drawing from the vial, and the product hasn’t been opened or altered, so the need for chemotherapy gloves during routine receiving and storage is minimal. The protective barrier is the intact packaging, not the gloves, in this specific scenario. However, once you need to open, puncture, draw up, label, or administer the drug, or if the packaging is damaged, you must use chemotherapy gloves and appropriate PPE. Always follow your institution’s policy and regulatory guidance, since procedures can vary.