What is one component that must be removed by personnel when gowning for sterile compounding?

When preparing for sterile compounding, personnel must prioritize creating an environment that minimizes the risk of contamination. One critical component that should be removed when gowning is jewelry. This is because jewelry can harbor bacteria and other microorganisms, which can contaminate sterile products during the compounding process. Additionally, rings, bracelets, and other adornments can interfere with the proper fit of gloves and gowns, making it difficult to maintain sterility.

Face masks, shoe covers, and gowns are essential elements of the sterile compounding attire, designed to protect both the compounder and the sterile products from contamination. Masks prevent respiratory droplets from escaping into the controlled environment, shoe covers avoid bringing in contaminants from outside, and gowns protect both the employee and the sterile products. Therefore, jewelry is the correct answer as it is not a necessary part of the sterile compounding attire and poses a risk to sterility.