Understanding routes of drug administration is fundamental for B. Pharm students, as it links pharmacokinetics, formulation design, and therapeutic outcomes. This set of focused MCQs covers oral, parenteral (IV, IM, SC), topical, transdermal, inhalational, nasal, rectal, sublingual and ophthalmic routes, emphasizing bioavailability, first-pass metabolism, absorption mechanisms, onset of action, and clinical advantages and limitations. Questions explore formulation factors (pH, particle size, lipophilicity), patient-related considerations, and specialized techniques such as depot injections and intrathecal delivery. Designed to deepen conceptual understanding and exam readiness, these items challenge application-level thinking rather than rote recall. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which route of administration provides 100% bioavailability when correctly administered?
- Oral administration
- Intramuscular injection
- Intravenous (IV) administration
- Transdermal patch
Correct Answer: Intravenous (IV) administration
Q2. Which factor most directly reduces oral bioavailability due to enzymatic metabolism before systemic circulation?
- Gastric pH
- First-pass hepatic metabolism
- Renal excretion
- Plasma protein binding
Correct Answer: First-pass hepatic metabolism
Q3. Which route is preferred for rapid onset of action in emergency situations?
- Topical application
- Intravenous bolus injection
- Oral capsule
- Transdermal patch
Correct Answer: Intravenous bolus injection
Q4. For sustained release of a drug at a muscular depot, which administration route is commonly used?
- Intravenous infusion
- Intramuscular depot injection
- Oral immediate-release tablet
- Topical cream
Correct Answer: Intramuscular depot injection
Q5. Which property of a drug most enhances transdermal absorption through the stratum corneum?
- High molecular weight (>1000 Da)
- High lipophilicity and moderate molecular weight
- Extremely hydrophilic nature
- Strong ionization at physiological pH
Correct Answer: High lipophilicity and moderate molecular weight
Q6. Which route is suitable for drugs that are extensively degraded in the gastrointestinal tract but require rapid systemic effect?
- Sublingual administration
- Enteric-coated oral tablet
- Rectal suppository
- Oral solution
Correct Answer: Sublingual administration
Q7. Which statement correctly contrasts IM versus SC injections?
- SC injections generally allow faster absorption than IM injections
- IM injections penetrate muscle tissue and often allow faster absorption than SC
- IM and SC have identical absorption rates for all drugs
- SC injections always produce 100% bioavailability
Correct Answer: IM injections penetrate muscle tissue and often allow faster absorption than SC
Q8. Which route is most effective for delivering volatile anesthetics to the systemic circulation?
- Intravenous bolus
- Inhalational route
- Topical skin application
- Oral tablet
Correct Answer: Inhalational route
Q9. Which formulation strategy reduces gastric irritation while allowing oral delivery?
- Immediate release tablet
- Enteric-coated tablet
- Chewable tablet with low pH
- Sublingual film
Correct Answer: Enteric-coated tablet
Q10. For local ophthalmic treatment, which barrier primarily limits drug penetration into the anterior chamber?
- Corneal epithelium
- Blood-brain barrier
- Intestinal mucosa
- Stratum corneum
Correct Answer: Corneal epithelium
Q11. Which factor most influences absorption rate after oral administration?
- Drug plasma protein binding only
- Gastric emptying and intestinal transit time
- Presence of hair follicles at the site
- Ocular tear turnover
Correct Answer: Gastric emptying and intestinal transit time
Q12. Which advantage is specific to nasal drug delivery compared with oral dosing?
- Complete avoidance of mucosal metabolism
- Rapid systemic absorption and partial avoidance of first-pass metabolism
- Unlimited dose volume
- Long-term controlled release without formulation
Correct Answer: Rapid systemic absorption and partial avoidance of first-pass metabolism
Q13. Which characteristic best describes depot (long-acting) injectable formulations?
- They require very frequent dosing
- They provide prolonged release from a localized depot
- They are typically administered orally
- They always produce immediate peak plasma levels
Correct Answer: They provide prolonged release from a localized depot
Q14. Which route is commonly used for targeted spinal drug delivery to treat central nervous system infections?
- Intranasal
- Intrathecal injection
- Transdermal patch
- Oral prolonged-release tablet
Correct Answer: Intrathecal injection
Q15. Which statement about rectal administration is true?
- Rectal route always results in higher bioavailability than IV
- Rectal administration can partially bypass hepatic first-pass metabolism depending on suppository placement
- Rectal drugs are never absorbed systemically
- Rectal route is unsuitable for pediatric use
Correct Answer: Rectal administration can partially bypass hepatic first-pass metabolism depending on suppository placement
Q16. Which property of a drug reduces absorption from the gastrointestinal tract according to the Henderson-Hasselbalch principle?
- Being non-ionized at absorption site
- Being highly ionized at the pH of the absorption site
- Having high lipophilicity and unionized form
- Low molecular weight and neutral charge
Correct Answer: Being highly ionized at the pH of the absorption site
Q17. Which device parameter is critical for efficient pulmonary drug deposition in inhalation therapy?
- Particle size distribution
- Tablet hardness
- Enteric coating thickness
- Transdermal adhesive area
Correct Answer: Particle size distribution
Q18. Which is a major disadvantage of the topical route for systemic therapy?
- Rapid first-pass hepatic metabolism
- Limited permeation through intact skin for many drugs
- Immediate 100% bioavailability
- High risk of gastrointestinal irritation
Correct Answer: Limited permeation through intact skin for many drugs
Q19. Which patient factor can significantly alter subcutaneous drug absorption?
- Ambient light exposure
- Local blood flow and temperature at the injection site
- Gastric emptying time
- Corneal thickness
Correct Answer: Local blood flow and temperature at the injection site
Q20. Which route is most appropriate for delivering high-molecular-weight biologics that are degraded in the GI tract?
- Oral immediate-release tablet
- Intravenous or subcutaneous parenteral routes
- Transdermal patch
- Sublingual tablet
Correct Answer: Intravenous or subcutaneous parenteral routes
Q21. Which formulation approach enhances transdermal flux by temporarily disrupting stratum corneum lipids?
- Enteric coating
- Use of chemical penetration enhancers
- Increased tablet compression force
- Incorporation of effervescent salts
Correct Answer: Use of chemical penetration enhancers
Q22. Which route minimizes systemic exposure while delivering drug directly to the respiratory tract for local action?
- Oral capsule
- Inhalational aerosol or nebulizer
- Intravenous infusion
- Transdermal iontophoresis
Correct Answer: Inhalational aerosol or nebulizer
Q23. Which statement about buccal versus sublingual administration is correct?
- Sublingual and buccal routes both avoid first-pass metabolism to some extent, but sublingual is generally faster in onset
- Buccal route always has faster onset than sublingual
- Both routes are identical in absorption kinetics for all drugs
- Neither route is useful for emergency drug delivery
Correct Answer: Sublingual and buccal routes both avoid first-pass metabolism to some extent, but sublingual is generally faster in onset
Q24. Which consideration is most important when designing an ophthalmic solution for drug delivery?
- Enteric coating compatibility
- pH, tonicity and preservative selection to minimize irritation and optimize corneal penetration
- Tablet disintegration time
- Skin permeability enhancers
Correct Answer: pH, tonicity and preservative selection to minimize irritation and optimize corneal penetration
Q25. Which route is most suitable for continuous infusion of a critical care drug?
- Oral sustained-release tablet
- Intravenous infusion via central or peripheral line
- Transdermal patch with no infusion capability
- Rectal suppository
Correct Answer: Intravenous infusion via central or peripheral line
Q26. Which factor decreases absorption of weakly basic drugs in the stomach?
- Acidic gastric pH causing increased ionization of the weak base
- Alkaline pH that favors unionized form
- High lipophilicity independent of pH
- Presence of bile salts
Correct Answer: Acidic gastric pH causing increased ionization of the weak base
Q27. Which route is indicated when oral intake is impossible and rapid vascular access is required in children?
- Transdermal application
- Intraosseous injection
- Rectal suppository
- Sublingual tablet
Correct Answer: Intraosseous injection
Q28. Which statement is true regarding topical corticosteroid creams used for local skin inflammation?
- They always produce systemic side effects irrespective of potency
- Potency, vehicle, skin condition and application area determine systemic absorption risk
- They must be administered intravenously for efficacy
- Occlusion and thin skin reduce absorption
Correct Answer: Potency, vehicle, skin condition and application area determine systemic absorption risk
Q29. Which approach can increase oral absorption of a poorly water-soluble drug?
- Decrease drug solubility further
- Use lipid-based formulations or particle size reduction to enhance dissolution
- Remove all surfactants from the formulation
- Administer the drug intravenously only
Correct Answer: Use lipid-based formulations or particle size reduction to enhance dissolution
Q30. For a drug with significant hepatic first-pass effect, which strategy can increase systemic exposure without changing dose?
- Switching from IV to oral administration
- Using a transdermal or sublingual route to bypass hepatic first-pass metabolism
- Increasing the tablet crushing frequency
- Administering with antacids only
Correct Answer: Using a transdermal or sublingual route to bypass hepatic first-pass metabolism
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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