Pharmaceutical Principles and Drug Dosage Forms
1. Which substance is classified as a weak electrolyte?
(A) glucose
(B) urea
(C) ephedrine
(D) sodium chloride
(E) sucrose
2. The pH value is calculated mathematically as the
(A) log of the hydroxyl ion (OH-) concentration.
(B) negative log of the OH- concentration.
(C) log of the hydrogen ion (H+ ) concentration.
(D) negative log of the H+concentration.
(E) ratio of H+/OH- concentration.
3. Which property is classified as colligative?
(A) solubility of a solute
(B) osmotic pressure
(C) hydrogen ion (H+) concentration
(D) dissociation of a solute
(E) miscibility of the liquids
4. The colligative properties of a solution are related to the
(A) pH of the solution.
(B) number of ions in the solution.
(C) total number of solute particles in the solution.
(D) number of un-ionized molecules in the solution.
(E) pKa of the solution.
5. The pH of a buffer system can be calculated with the
(A) Noyes–Whitney equation.
(B) Henderson–Hasselbalch equation.
(C) Michaelis–Menten equation.
(D) Young equation.
(E) Stokes equation
6. Which mechanism is most often responsible for chemical degradation?
(A) racemization
(B) photolysis
(C) hydrolysis
(D) decarboxylation
(E) oxidation
7. Which equation is used to predict the stability of a drug product at room temperature from experiments at accelerated temperatures?
(A) Stokes equation
(B) Young equation
(C) Arrhenius equation
(D) Michaelis–Menten equation
(E) Hixson–Crowell equation
8. Based on the relation between the degree of ionization and the solubility of a weak acid, the drug aspirin (pKa = 3.49) will be most soluble at
(A) pH 1.0.
(B) pH 2.0.
(C) pH 3.0.
(D) pH 4.0.
(E) pH 6.0.
9. Which solution is used as an astringent?
(A) strong iodine solution USP
(B) aluminum acetate topical solution USP
(C) acetic acid NF
(D) aromatic ammonia spirit USP
(E) benzalkonium chloride solution NF
10. The particle size of the dispersed solid in a suspension is usually greater than
(A) 0.5 m.
(B) 0.4 m.
(C) 0.3 m.
(D) 0.2 m.
(E) 0.1 m.
11. In the extemporaneous preparation of a suspension, levigation is used to
(A) reduce the zeta potential.
(B) avoid bacterial growth.
(C) reduce particle size.
(D) enhance viscosity.
(E) reduce viscosity.
12. Which compound is a natural emulsifying agent?
(A) acacia
(B) lactose
(C) polysorbate 20
(D) polysorbate 80
(E) sorbitan monopalmitate
13. Vanishing cream is an ointment that may be classified as
(A) a water-soluble base.
(B) an oleaginous base.
(C) an absorption base.
(D) an emulsion base.
(E) an oleic base.
14. Rectal suppositories intended for adult use usually weigh approximately
(A) 1 g.
(B) 2 g.
(C) 3 g.
(D) 4 g.
(E) 5 g.
15. In the fusion method of making cocoa butter suppositories, which substance is most likely to be used to lubricate the mold?
(A) mineral oil
(B) propylene glycol
(C) cetyl alcohol
(D) stearic acid
(E) magnesium silicate
16. A very fine powdered chemical is defined as one that
(A) completely passes through a #80 sieve.
(B) completely passes through a #120 sieve.
(C) completely passes through a #20 sieve.
(D) passes through a #60 sieve and not more than 40% through a #100 sieve.
(E) passes through a #40 sieve and not more than 60% through a #60 sieve.
17. Which technique is typically used to mill camphor?
(A) trituration
(B) levigation
(C) pulverization by intervention
(D) geometric dilution
(E) attrition
18. The dispensing pharmacist usually blends potent powders with a large amount of diluent by
(A) spatulation.
(B) sifting.
(C) trituration.
(D) geometric dilution.
(E) levigation.
19. Which type of paper best protects a divided hygroscopic powder?
(A) waxed paper
(B) glassine
(C) white bond
(D) blue bond
(E) vegetable parchment
20. Which capsule size has the smallest capacity?
(A) 5
(B) 4
(C) 1
(D) 0
(E) 000
21. The shells of soft gelatin capsules may be made elastic or plastic-like by the addition of
(A) sorbitol.
(B) povidone.
(C) polyethylene glycol (PEG).
(D) lactose.
(E) hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
22. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) content uniformity test for tablets is used to ensure which quality?
(A) bioequivalency
(B) dissolution
(C) potency
(D) purity
(E) toxicity
23. All of the following statements about chemical degradation are true except
(A) as temperature increases, degradation decreases.
(B) most drugs degrade by a first-order process.
(C) chemical degradation may produce a toxic product.
(D) chemical degradation may result in a loss of active ingredients.
(E) chemical degradation may affect the therapeutic activity of a drug.
24. All of the following statements concerning zero-order degradation are true except
(A) its rate is independent of the concentration.
(B) a plot of concentration versus time yields a straight line on rectilinear paper.
(C) its half-life is a changing parameter.
(D) its concentration remains unchanged with respect to time.
(E) the slope of a plot of concentration versus time yields a rate constant.
25. All of the following statements about first-order degradation are true except
(A) its rate is dependent on the concentration.
(B) its half-life is a changing parameter.
(C) a plot of the logarithm of concentration versus time yields a straight line.
(D) its t90% is independent of the concentration.
(E) a plot of the logarithm of concentration versus time allows the rate constant to be determined.
26. A satisfactory suppository base must meet all of the following criteria except
(A) it should have a narrow melting range.
(B) it should be nonirritating and nonsensitizing.
(C) it should dissolve or disintegrate rapidly in the body cavity.
(D) it should melt < 30°C.
(E) it should be inert.
27. Cocoa butter (theobroma oil) exhibits all of the following properties except
(A) it melts at temperatures between 33°C and 35°C.
(B) it is a mixture of glycerides.
(C) it is a polymorph.
(D) it is useful in formulating rectal suppositories.
(E) it is soluble in water.
28. United States Pharmacopeia (USP) tests to ensure the quality of drug products in tablet form include all of the following except
(A) disintegration.
(B) dissolution.
(C) hardness and friability.
(D) content uniformity.
(E) weight variation.
29. Forms of water that are suitable for use in parenteral preparations include
I. purified water USP.
II. water for injection USP.
III. sterile water for injection USP.
30. The particles in an ideal suspension should satisfy which of the following criteria?
I. Their size should be uniform.
II. They should be stationary or move randomly.
III. They should remain discrete.
31. The sedimentation of particles in a suspension can be minimized by
I. adding sodium benzoate.
II. increasing the viscosity of the suspension.
III. reducing the particle size of the active ingredient.
32. Ingredients that may be used as suspending agents include
I. methylcellulose.
II. acacia.
III. talc.
33. Mechanisms that are thought to provide stable emulsifications include the
I. formation of interfacial film.
II. lowering of interfacial tension.
III. presence of charge on the ions.
34. Nonionic surface-active agents used as synthetic emulsifiers include
I. tragacanth.
II. sodium lauryl sulfate.
III. sorbitan esters (Spans).
35. Advantages of systemic drug administration by rectal suppositories include
I. avoidance of first-pass effects.
II. suitability when the oral route is not feasible.
III. predictable drug release and absorption.
36. True statements about the milling of powders include
I. a fine particle size is essential if the lubricant is to function properly.
II. an increased surface area may enhance the dissolution rate.
III. milling may cause degradation of thermolabile drugs.
37. Substances used to insulate powder components that liquefy when mixed include
I. talc.
II. kaolin.
III. light magnesium oxide.
38. A ceramic mortar may be preferable to a glass mortar when
I. a volatile oil is added to a powder mixture.
II. colored substances (dyes) are mixed into a powder.
III. comminution is desired in addition to mixing.
39. Divided powders may be dispensed in
I. individual-dose packets.
II. a bulk container.
III. a perforated, sifter-type container.
40. True statements about the function of excipients used in tablet formulations include
I. binders promote granulation during the wet granulation process.
II. glidants help promote the flow of the tablet granulation during manufacture.
III. lubricants help the patient swallow the tablets.
41. Which manufacturing variables would be likely to affect the dissolution of a prednisone tablet in the body?
I. the amount and type of binder added
II. the amount and type of disintegrant added
III. the force of compression used during tableting
42. Agents that may be used to coat enteric-coated tablets include
I. hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
II. carboxymethylcellulose.
III. cellulose acetate phthalate