Drug store management – organization and storage conditions MCQs With Answer

Drug store management – organization and storage conditions MCQs With Answer

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Drug store management – organization and storage conditions MCQs With Answer

Effective drug store management merges practical organization, robust inventory control, and compliant storage conditions to ensure medicine safety, potency, and regulatory adherence. B.Pharm students must understand pharmacy inventory systems, stock rotation (FIFO/FEFO), temperature and humidity control, cold chain management, controlled substance security, quarantine procedures, expiry and recall management, and documentation (SOPs, batch records, logbooks). Knowledge of hazardous material segregation, light- and moisture-sensitive storage, proper labeling, and emergency procedures (temperature excursions, spills, pest control) is essential. These concepts support patient safety and quality assurance in pharmacy practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which principle ensures medicines with the earliest expiry are dispensed first to minimize wastage?

  • First-In First-Out (FIFO)
  • Last-In First-Out (LIFO)
  • First-Expiry First-Out (FEFO)
  • Random Rotation

Correct Answer: First-Expiry First-Out (FEFO)

Q2. What is the recommended storage temperature range for most refrigerated pharmaceutical products?

  • -20°C to -10°C
  • 2°C to 8°C
  • 15°C to 25°C
  • 25°C to 30°C

Correct Answer: 2°C to 8°C

Q3. Which device provides continuous electronic records of temperature in a vaccine refrigerator?

  • Analogue bulb thermometer
  • Data logger
  • Mercury thermometer
  • Alcohol thermometer

Correct Answer: Data logger

Q4. What is the primary purpose of quarantine area in a drug store?

  • To store expired drugs for sale at discount
  • To hold suspect, damaged, or recalled batches pending disposition
  • To display promotional medicines
  • To store incoming deliveries permanently

Correct Answer: To hold suspect, damaged, or recalled batches pending disposition

Q5. Which practice is essential for preventing cross-contamination between bulk oral solids and cytotoxic agents?

  • Storing cytotoxics on high shelves above all
  • Segregated, dedicated storage with separate labeling and containment
  • Keeping all medicines in the same room but different boxes
  • Relying on visual checks during dispensing

Correct Answer: Segregated, dedicated storage with separate labeling and containment

Q6. Which of the following is a key component of good storage practice documentation?

  • Only verbal instructions to staff
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Manufacturer only marketing leaflets
  • Daily social media updates

Correct Answer: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Q7. For light-sensitive drugs, what is the recommended storage condition?

  • Expose to fluorescent light to reduce moisture
  • Store in transparent containers on open shelves
  • Store in original opaque, light-resistant packaging or dark containers
  • Freeze all light-sensitive drugs

Correct Answer: Store in original opaque, light-resistant packaging or dark containers

Q8. Which storage action helps control humidity-sensitive formulations?

  • Place silica gel or desiccant packs in packaging
  • Store in humid areas to counteract dryness
  • Open packages frequently to air them
  • Stack products tightly without ventilation

Correct Answer: Place silica gel or desiccant packs in packaging

Q9. What is the correct response to a documented temperature excursion in a cold chain?

  • Ignore if excursion was short
  • Quarantine affected stock, investigate cause, and follow stability guidance
  • Return all stock to supplier immediately without investigation
  • Continue dispensing and note in a log

Correct Answer: Quarantine affected stock, investigate cause, and follow stability guidance

Q10. Which inventory method minimizes stockouts by reordering at a predetermined stock level?

  • Periodic physical counts only
  • Just-in-time with reorder point calculation
  • Random ordering
  • Ordering only when stock is zero

Correct Answer: Just-in-time with reorder point calculation

Q11. Which regulatory requirement commonly applies to controlled drugs in many jurisdictions?

  • No record-keeping required
  • Strict record-keeping, secure storage, and restricted access
  • Store with over-the-counter products for convenience
  • Dispose in regular waste bins

Correct Answer: Strict record-keeping, secure storage, and restricted access

Q12. What does batch traceability enable in drug store management?

  • Faster shelf-stacking regardless of expiry
  • Identification and recall of specific defective lots
  • Ignoring manufacturer batch numbers
  • Mixing batches to meet demand

Correct Answer: Identification and recall of specific defective lots

Q13. Which storage condition is most appropriate for insulin vials during routine storage?

  • Store at 25°C on a sunny shelf
  • Keep refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C and protect from freezing
  • Freeze for prolonged shelf life
  • Store at room temperature above 30°C

Correct Answer: Keep refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C and protect from freezing

Q14. How should hazardous chemical reagents used in compounding be stored?

  • Mingled with finished sterile products
  • In clearly labeled, ventilated, and segregated cabinets with appropriate PPE available
  • In a food preparation area
  • On open lab benches for convenience

Correct Answer: In clearly labeled, ventilated, and segregated cabinets with appropriate PPE available

Q15. Which practice improves accuracy during dispensing and reduces medication errors?

  • Using unlabeled multi-product bins
  • Clear labeling, organized shelving, and barcode scanning at dispensing
  • Relying solely on memory of staff
  • Dispensing directly from supplier cartons without checks

Correct Answer: Clear labeling, organized shelving, and barcode scanning at dispensing

Q16. What is the primary function of temperature and humidity monitoring logs?

  • Meet decoration requirements
  • Provide evidence of controlled conditions and detect deviations early
  • Replace SOPs
  • Increase paperwork without benefit

Correct Answer: Provide evidence of controlled conditions and detect deviations early

Q17. Which stock rotation method is most suitable for multi-dose vaccines with short shelf life?

  • Random rotation
  • First-Expiry First-Out (FEFO)
  • Last-In First-Out (LIFO)
  • Stack newest at the front

Correct Answer: First-Expiry First-Out (FEFO)

Q18. In a drug store, what is the best practice for handling returned medications from patients?

  • Restock returned medicines immediately
  • Quarantine returns and evaluate for safety before disposal or re-dispensing per policy
  • Sell returned items at reduced price
  • Discard returned items in general trash

Correct Answer: Quarantine returns and evaluate for safety before disposal or re-dispensing per policy

Q19. Which factor is least important when designing a pharmacy storeroom layout?

  • Supplier advertising materials
  • Segregation of hazardous and non-hazardous items
  • Ease of access to emergency items
  • Clear labeling and workflow for picking

Correct Answer: Supplier advertising materials

Q20. What is the correct disposal method for cytotoxic waste in a drug store?

  • Regular municipal waste collection
  • Licensed hazardous waste contractor following incineration or approved method
  • Flush down sinks with water
  • Burn in on-site open fires

Correct Answer: Licensed hazardous waste contractor following incineration or approved method

Q21. Which record should be maintained for controlled substances to ensure legal compliance?

  • Only monthly verbal summaries
  • Detailed controlled drug register with quantities received, dispensed, and balance
  • No records if stored locked
  • Only supplier invoices

Correct Answer: Detailed controlled drug register with quantities received, dispensed, and balance

Q22. What is the recommended action when receiving a shipment of temperature-sensitive medicines showing damaged packaging?

  • Accept and shelve immediately
  • Reject or quarantine the shipment and notify supplier and QA for inspection
  • Open packages and rewrap without documentation
  • Sell at discounted price

Correct Answer: Reject or quarantine the shipment and notify supplier and QA for inspection

Q23. Which practice reduces the risk of pest contamination in drug storage areas?

  • Keeping food and drinks in storage areas
  • Regular housekeeping, sealed packaging, and pest control program
  • Leaving boxes open on the floor
  • Storing medicines near waste bins

Correct Answer: Regular housekeeping, sealed packaging, and pest control program

Q24. Which scheduling tool helps predict reorder quantities based on consumption trends?

  • Static shelving labels
  • Inventory management software with consumption analytics
  • Printing more promotional flyers
  • Manual guessing by staff

Correct Answer: Inventory management software with consumption analytics

Q25. How should flammable solvents be stored in a drug store?

  • Next to oxidizing agents
  • In approved flammable storage cabinets away from ignition sources
  • On top of electrical panels
  • Mixed with water-based products

Correct Answer: In approved flammable storage cabinets away from ignition sources

Q26. What is the purpose of expiry date monitoring in pharmacy inventory?

  • To increase marketing opportunities
  • To prevent distribution of subpotent or unsafe medications and manage returns/recalls
  • To justify overstocking
  • To allow indefinite storage of products

Correct Answer: To prevent distribution of subpotent or unsafe medications and manage returns/recalls

Q27. Which action is part of corrective measures after a documented storage deviation?

  • Ignore and continue operations
  • Investigate root cause, retrain staff, and review SOPs
  • Delete the deviation record
  • Transfer blame to the supplier without evidence

Correct Answer: Investigate root cause, retrain staff, and review SOPs

Q28. For humidity-sensitive blister-packed tablets, which storage location is preferable?

  • Near the restroom ventilation
  • Cool, dry area with controlled relative humidity
  • Under direct sunlight to prevent mold
  • In open crates on the loading dock

Correct Answer: Cool, dry area with controlled relative humidity

Q29. Which inventory control parameter helps detect discrepancies quickly?

  • Annual physical count only
  • Frequent cycle counting and reconciliation
  • No counting, rely on theft deterrents
  • Counting only obsolete stock

Correct Answer: Frequent cycle counting and reconciliation

Q30. Which concept is critical when repackaging bulk medicines into unit doses in a pharmacy?

  • Repackaging without labeling is acceptable
  • Maintain traceability, use validated procedures, and label with expiry and batch information
  • Ignore stability data for repackaged units
  • Repackage only by non-pharmacy staff to save time

Correct Answer: Maintain traceability, use validated procedures, and label with expiry and batch information

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