FPGEE for National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Practice Exam 2025 - Free NABP Practice Questions and Study Guide

A biological safety cabinet (BSC) plays a critical role in providing a safe working environment for personnel who handle potentially hazardous biological agents. The correct description highlights that a BSC is designed not only to protect the contents of the cabinet but, more importantly, to offer protection for the users working with biohazardous materials. This protection is achieved through a combination of inward airflow and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration, which ensures that any airborne contaminants are captured before they can escape into the laboratory environment.

While options that reference horizontal airflow and laminar flow workbenches might describe certain features of airflow in laboratory settings, they do not emphasize the essential protective function of the BSC for personnel from exposure to dangerous pathogens or toxins. Moreover, the mention of a closed system for nonsterile preparations does not align with the primary function and use of a Biological Safety Cabinet, which is designated for sterile work involving potentially infectious materials. The focus of the BSC is ultimately on user safety, making the correct description particularly relevant in laboratory practices.