Introduction to dosage forms MCQs With Answer

Introduction to Dosage Forms MCQs With Answer

Dosage forms are the engineered systems that convert an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) into a safe, effective, and stable medicine. For B. Pharm students, understanding pharmaceutics fundamentals—tablets, capsules, suspensions, emulsions, parenterals, ophthalmics, transdermals, inhalations—and the roles of excipients, granulation, coating, sterilization, bioavailability, and dissolution is essential. Key concepts include BCS classification, HLB scale, micelles, wetting, disintegration, dissolution testing, zero-order vs Higuchi release, stability (ICH), and container-closure systems. Mastery of formulation science ensures quality, efficacy, patient compliance, and regulatory compliance across immediate and modified-release systems. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What is the primary purpose of a dosage form?

• To make the drug taste pleasant only
• To enhance brand recognition
• To deliver the drug safely and effectively at the desired rate and site
• To reduce manufacturing costs only

Correct Answer: To deliver the drug safely and effectively at the desired rate and site

Q2. Which excipient is commonly used as a glidant to improve powder flow during tablet compression?

• Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
• Colloidal silicon dioxide
• Sodium starch glycolate
• Sucrose

Correct Answer: Colloidal silicon dioxide

Q3. Which of the following is a superdisintegrant?

• Croscarmellose sodium
• Ethyl cellulose
• Paraffin wax
• Talc

Correct Answer: Croscarmellose sodium

Q4. Magnesium stearate is primarily used in tablets as a:

• Binder
• Lubricant
• Flavoring agent
• Colorant

Correct Answer: Lubricant

Q5. A key advantage of wet granulation for low-dose drugs is:

• Reduced need for drying
• Improved content uniformity
• Elimination of excipients
• Higher tablet friability

Correct Answer: Improved content uniformity

Q6. Which polymer is commonly used for enteric coating?

• Polyvinyl alcohol
• Cellulose acetate phthalate
• Polyethylene glycol 400
• Sodium alginate

Correct Answer: Cellulose acetate phthalate

Q7. A BCS Class II drug is characterized by:

• High solubility, high permeability
• High solubility, low permeability
• Low solubility, high permeability
• Low solubility, low permeability

Correct Answer: Low solubility, high permeability

Q8. Micronization of a poorly soluble drug primarily increases its:

• Partition coefficient
• Dissolution rate by increasing surface area
• Chemical stability
• Taste masking efficiency

Correct Answer: Dissolution rate by increasing surface area

Q9. Which USP dissolution apparatus is most commonly used for hard gelatin capsules?

• USP Apparatus I (Basket)
• USP Apparatus II (Paddle)
• USP Apparatus III (Reciprocating cylinder)
• USP Apparatus IV (Flow-through cell)

Correct Answer: USP Apparatus I (Basket)

Q10. Content uniformity testing is preferred over weight variation for tablets that:

• Contain more than 500 mg of API
• Contain less than 25 mg of API
• Are uncoated and chewable
• Are dispersible tablets

Correct Answer: Contain less than 25 mg of API

Q11. “Capping” in tablets refers to:

• Tablet surface roughness after coating
• Splitting of the tablet into two halves during handling
• Separation of the top (crown) portion of the tablet
• Adhesion of tablets to punches

Correct Answer: Separation of the top (crown) portion of the tablet

Q12. For preparing an oil-in-water emulsion, which emulsifier is generally preferred?

• Span 80 (Sorbitan oleate)
• Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)
• Cholesterol
• Beeswax

Correct Answer: Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)

Q13. Which statement best describes a flocculated suspension?

• Particles settle slowly and form a hard cake
• Particles settle rapidly but are easily redispersed
• Particles never settle due to Brownian motion
• Particles dissolve over time increasing clarity

Correct Answer: Particles settle rapidly but are easily redispersed

Q14. Pyrogens in parenteral products are primarily:

• Viral proteins from contaminated cell lines
• Lipopolysaccharides from Gram-negative bacteria
• Residual solvents from manufacturing
• Metal ions from equipment

Correct Answer: Lipopolysaccharides from Gram-negative bacteria

Q15. The most suitable sterilization method for thermolabile aqueous solutions is:

• Dry heat sterilization
• Gamma irradiation
• Membrane filtration (0.22 μm) with aseptic filling
• Boiling at 100°C for 30 minutes

Correct Answer: Membrane filtration (0.22 μm) with aseptic filling

Q16. The best method to depyrogenate glassware is:

• Autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes
• Dry heat at about 250°C for not less than 30 minutes
• Rinsing with sterile water for injection
• Gas sterilization with ethylene oxide

Correct Answer: Dry heat at about 250°C for not less than 30 minutes

Q17. A commonly used preservative in ophthalmic solutions is:

• Benzalkonium chloride
• Thiomersal-free saline
• Propylene glycol only
• Sodium chloride

Correct Answer: Benzalkonium chloride

Q18. The ideal drug release profile for a reservoir-type transdermal system is:

• First-order release
• Zero-order release
• Higuchi square-root release
• Pulsatile release

Correct Answer: Zero-order release

Q19. Which suppository base melts at body temperature to release the drug?

• Polyethylene glycol 4000
• Theobroma oil (cocoa butter)
• Glycerinated gelatin
• Beeswax

Correct Answer: Theobroma oil (cocoa butter)

Q20. A key advantage of the rectal route is:

• Complete avoidance of first-pass metabolism
• Partial avoidance of first-pass metabolism
• Faster onset than IV
• Elimination of dosing variability

Correct Answer: Partial avoidance of first-pass metabolism

Q21. Which propellant is widely used in modern metered-dose inhalers (MDIs)?

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Hydrofluoroalkane 134a (HFA-134a)
• Carbon dioxide
• Nitrogen

Correct Answer: Hydrofluoroalkane 134a (HFA-134a)

Q22. The dose emission from a dry powder inhaler (DPI) is most dependent on:

• Humidity of the storage area
• Patient’s inspiratory flow rate
• Canister pressure
• Presence of propellant

Correct Answer: Patient’s inspiratory flow rate

Q23. Which solution is isotonic with body fluids?

• 0.45% w/v sodium chloride
• 0.90% w/v sodium chloride
• 1.80% w/v sodium chloride
• 5% w/v dextrose with 3% NaCl

Correct Answer: 0.90% w/v sodium chloride

Q24. Which statement best describes surfactant behavior above the critical micelle concentration (CMC)?

• Surface tension increases sharply with concentration
• Surface tension remains nearly constant and micelles form
• No micelles form but viscosity increases indefinitely
• Surfactant precipitates out of solution

Correct Answer: Surface tension remains nearly constant and micelles form

Q25. The Higuchi model describes drug release from a matrix as:

• Zero-order with time
• First-order with concentration
• Proportional to the square root of time
• Independent of diffusivity

Correct Answer: Proportional to the square root of time

Q26. Which is commonly used as a plasticizer in film coating?

• Triethyl citrate
• Calcium phosphate
• Microcrystalline cellulose
• Magnesium oxide

Correct Answer: Triethyl citrate

Q27. Which statement about film coating compared to sugar coating is TRUE?

• Film coating takes longer and increases weight more
• Film coating is faster and adds less weight
• Sugar coating gives better moisture protection than film coating always
• Film coating cannot be colored

Correct Answer: Film coating is faster and adds less weight

Q28. ICH accelerated stability testing conditions for most drug products are:

• 25°C/40% RH
• 30°C/65% RH
• 40°C/75% RH
• 50°C/90% RH

Correct Answer: 40°C/75% RH

Q29. The most appropriate packaging for hygroscopic tablets is:

• Glass amber bottle without closure liner
• HDPE bottle with a desiccant canister
• Simple paper sachet
• Open blister without lidding

Correct Answer: HDPE bottle with a desiccant canister

Q30. Which oral dosage form generally provides the fastest onset of action?

• Compressed tablet
• Hard gelatin capsule
• Oral suspension
• Oral aqueous solution

Correct Answer: Oral aqueous solution

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