Sampling and retailing techniques MCQs With Answer

Sampling and retailing techniques MCQs With Answer is a focused study resource designed for B.Pharm students covering pharmaceutical sampling methods, acceptance sampling, in-process and raw material sampling, and retailing practices such as merchandising, inventory management, cold chain, planograms, and regulatory compliance. This collection emphasizes quality control, batch release, AQL, OC curves, FEFO/FIFO stock rotation, serialization, point-of-sale data, and ethical pharmacy retailing. Each question links theoretical sampling frameworks to practical retail scenarios—drugstore layout, expiry control, shrinkage prevention, controlled-drug handling, and patient counseling—so students build both analytical and applied skills. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which sampling technique minimizes selection bias by giving every unit an equal chance of selection?

• Random sampling
• Convenience sampling
• Judgmental sampling
• Quota sampling

Correct Answer: Random sampling

Q2. In acceptance sampling, which term defines the maximum percent defective considered acceptable?

• AQL (Acceptable Quality Level)
• LTPD (Lot Tolerance Percent Defective)
• OC Curve
• Process Capability Index

Correct Answer: AQL (Acceptable Quality Level)

Q3. Which sampling approach is essential for sterile product in-process testing to avoid contamination?

• Aseptic sampling
• Composite sampling
• Grab sampling
• Systematic sampling

Correct Answer: Aseptic sampling

Q4. Which of the following is a non-probability sampling method often prone to bias?

• Convenience sampling
• Stratified random sampling
• Simple random sampling
• Systematic random sampling

Correct Answer: Convenience sampling

Q5. The sampling interval (k) in systematic sampling is calculated as which expression?

• k = N / n (population size divided by sample size)
• k = n / N (sample size divided by population size)
• k = N × n
• k = N – n

Correct Answer: k = N / n (population size divided by sample size)

Q6. What is the primary purpose of a planogram in pharmaceutical retailing?

• Optimize shelf layout and product placement to maximize sales
• Record temperature logs for cold chain items
• Document batch sampling results
• Manage supplier payment schedules

Correct Answer: Optimize shelf layout and product placement to maximize sales

Q7. Which inventory rotation method ensures medicines with the earliest expiry are sold first?

• FEFO (First-Expiry, First-Out)
• FIFO (First-In, First-Out)
• LIFO (Last-In, First-Out)
• Average costing

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

Q8. Retail shrinkage in pharmacies most commonly results from which factor?

• Theft (shoplifting or employee theft)
• Price optimization
• Planogram compliance
• Point-of-sale upgrades

Correct Answer: Theft (shoplifting or employee theft)

Q9. Modern point-of-sale (POS) systems in pharmacies primarily provide which data?

• Sales, inventory and transaction data
• Microbial contamination reports
• Sterility test results
• Manufacturing batch records

Correct Answer: Sales, inventory and transaction data

Q10. Cold chain monitoring is most critical for which group of pharmaceutical products?

• Vaccines and temperature-sensitive biologics
• Non-sterile topical ointments
• Solid oral immediate-release tablets
• Controlled-release capsules

Correct Answer: Vaccines and temperature-sensitive biologics

Q11. In sampling theory, OC curve stands for which concept?

• Operating Characteristic curve
• Observed Confidence curve
• Optimum Control curve
• Order Compliance curve

Correct Answer: Operating Characteristic curve

Q12. Compared to grab sampling, composite sampling is most useful because it provides what advantage?

• Represents average quality over a lot or period
• Detects point contamination with greater sensitivity
• Reduces sampling bias by judgment
• Increases likelihood of detecting rare contaminants

Correct Answer: Represents average quality over a lot or period

Q13. Which retail display technique encourages impulse purchases in a pharmacy?

• End-cap displays (promotional end aisles)
• Backstore shelving only
• Supplier invoice displays
• Temperature-controlled cabinets

Correct Answer: End-cap displays (promotional end aisles)

Q14. Which practice helps prevent dispensing expired medicines at the retail level?

• Regular stock rotation using FEFO
• Random price increases
• Reducing shelf labels
• Limiting vendor auditing

Correct Answer: Regular stock rotation using FEFO

Q15. To assess contamination across different zones of a production area, which sampling design is most appropriate?

• Stratified sampling
• Convenience sampling
• Cluster convenience sampling
• Judgmental sampling only

Correct Answer: Stratified sampling

Q16. How many units are commonly used for initial dissolution testing per USP/Pharmacopoeial methods?

• 6 units
• 3 units
• 12 units
• 20 units

Correct Answer: 6 units

Q17. Retail margin in pharmacy accounting is defined as which expression?

• Selling price minus cost price
• Cost price minus selling price
• Selling price multiplied by markup rate
• Supplier discount minus taxes

Correct Answer: Selling price minus cost price

Q18. When receiving controlled substances at a retail pharmacy, what documentation is essential?

• Entry in the controlled drug register
• Only supplier promotional material
• Temperature log for non-refrigerated drugs
• Customer feedback forms

Correct Answer: Entry in the controlled drug register

Q19. Serialization and barcoding in pharmaceutical retail primarily help to prevent what?

• Counterfeit products and improve traceability
• Excessive discounting
• Planogram misplacement
• Staff scheduling conflicts

Correct Answer: Counterfeit products and improve traceability

Q20. For raw material sampling of a large homogeneous powder lot, which approach is recommended?

• Random stratified sampling across the lot
• Single grab sample from the center only
• Convenience sampling at the receiving dock
• Judgmental sampling by visual inspection

Correct Answer: Random stratified sampling across the lot

Q21. Which metric measures how often inventory is sold and replaced over a period in retail pharmacy?

• Stock turnover ratio (inventory turnover)
• Gross margin percentage
• Customer footfall index
• Planogram compliance rate

Correct Answer: Stock turnover ratio (inventory turnover)

Q22. Which regulatory source is commonly referenced for pharmacy retail practice and drug distribution in India?

• Drugs and Cosmetics Act (India)
• European Pharmacopoeia only
• USP Chapters unrelated to retail
• Local trade association newsletters only

Correct Answer: Drugs and Cosmetics Act (India)

Q23. In acceptance sampling terminology, what is producer’s risk (Type I error)?

• Rejecting a good lot
• Accepting a bad lot
• Failing to take a sample
• Mislabeling the sample

Correct Answer: Rejecting a good lot

Q24. Which retailing technique is most effective for clearing slow-moving pharmaceutical stock?

• Price markdowns and promotions
• Reducing staff hours
• Removing expiry dates
• Increasing vendor lead times

Correct Answer: Price markdowns and promotions

Q25. LTPD in sampling plans stands for which phrase?

• Lot Tolerance Percent Defective (LTPD)
• Lowest Tolerated Process Deviation
• Linear Time Product Distribution
• Lot Testing Performance Descriptor

Correct Answer: Lot Tolerance Percent Defective (LTPD)

Q26. Which sampling method explicitly minimizes selection bias by randomizing selection across the population?

• Simple random sampling
• Judgmental sampling
• Convenience sampling
• Snowball sampling

Correct Answer: Simple random sampling

Q27. For reliable cold chain monitoring during transport, which device is recommended?

• Continuous electronic temperature data logger
• Single-use paper thermometer
• Manual temperature readings once per day
• Supplier verbal assurance

Correct Answer: Continuous electronic temperature data logger

Q28. Which inventory valuation/rotation method is most appropriate for non-temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals received sequentially?

• FIFO (First-In, First-Out)
• LIFO (Last-In, First-Out)
• FEFO (First-Expiry, First-Out)
• Random selection at dispensing

Correct Answer: FIFO (First-In, First-Out)

Q29. Which activity is a core ethical responsibility of a retail pharmacist related to product retailing?

• Provide patient counseling and verify prescriptions
• Prioritize sales over safety
• Sell expired stock at discounts
• Ignore adverse drug reactions

Correct Answer: Provide patient counseling and verify prescriptions

Q30. Sterility testing of parenteral samples is performed primarily to detect what risk?

• Microbial contamination
• Excessive tablet weight variation
• Incorrect label printing
• Inaccurate pricing at retail

Correct Answer: Microbial contamination

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