Preparation of ointments MCQs With Answer

Preparation of ointments is a core topic in pharmaceutical technology for B. Pharm students, covering formulation principles, selection of ointment bases, compounding techniques, and quality evaluation. This introduction explains ointment bases (oleaginous, absorption, water-removable, water-soluble), methods of preparation (fusion, incorporation, levigation), and key formulation factors such as drug solubility, rheology, preservatives, antioxidants, and emulsifying agents. Emphasis on stability, in vitro release, and packaging helps students design safe, effective semisolid dosage forms. Practical skills in ointment preparation, calculations, and quality control tests (spreadability, extrudability, viscosity) are essential for clinical and industrial practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which of the following is an example of an oleaginous (hydrocarbon) ointment base?

• Yellow soft paraffin (petrolatum)
• Polyethylene glycol ointment
• Cetomacrogol emulsifying ointment
• Hydrophilic ointment

Correct Answer: Yellow soft paraffin (petrolatum)

Q2. What is the principal advantage of absorption ointment bases?

• They are completely water-soluble
• They allow incorporation of aqueous solutions into an oily base
• They provide maximum occlusion and no water uptake
• They are used only for cosmetic products

Correct Answer: They allow incorporation of aqueous solutions into an oily base

Q3. Which method is most appropriate for incorporating insoluble powders into an ointment base?

• Fusion method without levigation
• Levigation using a suitable levigating agent
• Direct dissolution in water then mixing
• Spray drying into the base

Correct Answer: Levigation using a suitable levigating agent

Q4. Which component serves primarily as an emulsifying agent in water-removable ointments?

• Lanolin
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Stearic acid and emulsifying wax
• Mineral oil alone

Correct Answer: Stearic acid and emulsifying wax

Q5. The fusion method of ointment preparation involves which process?

• Mixing components at room temperature only
• Heating components to melt and then cooling with stirring
• Dissolving drug in water and then evaporating solvent
• Grinding solid drug with mortar and pestle only

Correct Answer: Heating components to melt and then cooling with stirring

Q6. Which property of an ointment base primarily influences drug release from the formulation?

• Color of the base
• Viscosity and polarity of the base
• Packaging material only
• Manufacturing room temperature

Correct Answer: Viscosity and polarity of the base

Q7. Which levigating agent is commonly used when levigating insoluble powders into oleaginous bases?

• Propylene glycol
• Mineral oil
• Water
• Sodium chloride solution

Correct Answer: Mineral oil

Q8. For a drug unstable in water, which ointment base is most suitable?

• Water-soluble (PEG) base
• Water-removable (emulsion) base
• Oleaginous (hydrocarbon) base
• Hydrophilic cream

Correct Answer: Oleaginous (hydrocarbon) base

Q9. What is the role of antioxidants in ointment formulations?

• To increase viscosity
• To prevent oxidative degradation of active ingredients or lipids
• To act as primary emulsifiers
• To enhance color stability only

Correct Answer: To prevent oxidative degradation of active ingredients or lipids

Q10. Which test evaluates the ease with which an ointment can be expressed from a tube?

• Spreadability test
• Extrudability test
• Viscosity measurement
• pH determination

Correct Answer: Extrudability test

Q11. Hydrophilic ointment is an example of which base category?

• Oleaginous base
• Absorption base
• Water-soluble base
• Water-in-oil emulsion

Correct Answer: Water-soluble base

Q12. Which parameter is most critical when formulating an ointment intended for transdermal drug delivery?

• Odor masking only
• Skin permeation enhancers and occlusivity
• Color stability
• Container aesthetics

Correct Answer: Skin permeation enhancers and occlusivity

Q13. What is the main disadvantage of oleaginous ointment bases?

• They are easily washed off with water
• They can be greasy and difficult to remove
• They cannot incorporate oily drugs
• They are completely water-soluble

Correct Answer: They can be greasy and difficult to remove

Q14. Which preservative is commonly used in water-containing ointments to prevent microbial growth?

• Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
• Methylparaben and propylparaben combination
• Mineral oil
• Sorbitan monostearate

Correct Answer: Methylparaben and propylparaben combination

Q15. The HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) value of an emulsifier helps to predict what?

• Melting point of the ointment
• Suitability of the emulsifier for oil-in-water or water-in-oil systems
• Color change during storage
• Drug chemical stability

Correct Answer: Suitability of the emulsifier for oil-in-water or water-in-oil systems

Q16. Which factor does NOT directly affect the rheological behavior of an ointment?

• Concentration of thickening agents
• Particle size of dispersed solids
• Type of preservative used (if non-viscosity altering)
• Ambient magnetic field strength

Correct Answer: Ambient magnetic field strength

Q17. In quality control, which test assesses uniform distribution of drug within an ointment?

• Assay of different portions (content uniformity)
• Viscosity measurement
• Odor test
• Colorimetric pH strip

Correct Answer: Assay of different portions (content uniformity)

Q18. Which ingredient would you choose to render an ointment more water-washable?

• Mineral oil
• Emulsifying wax to form a water-removable base
• More petrolatum
• Lanolin without emulsifiers

Correct Answer: Emulsifying wax to form a water-removable base

Q19. For preparing a sterile ophthalmic ointment, which sterilization method is most suitable for heat-stable ointment bases?

• Autoclaving (steam sterilization) if formulation tolerates heat
• UV irradiation of final product in tube
• Adding alcohol as preservative only
• Room-temperature filtration through 0.22 µm filter

Correct Answer: Autoclaving (steam sterilization) if formulation tolerates heat

Q20. Which excipient acts as a humectant in semisolid formulations to retain moisture?

• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Glycerin or propylene glycol
• Petrolatum
• White soft paraffin alone

Correct Answer: Glycerin or propylene glycol

Q21. What is the primary reason for performing stability studies on ointments?

• To determine package color
• To evaluate drug potency, physical integrity, and microbial stability over time
• To test patient preference only
• To measure electrical conductivity

Correct Answer: To evaluate drug potency, physical integrity, and microbial stability over time

Q22. Which ointment base would best enhance percutaneous absorption of a lipophilic drug?

• Water-soluble PEG base
• Oleaginous base with occlusive properties
• Non-occlusive aqueous gel
• Powdered talc base

Correct Answer: Oleaginous base with occlusive properties

Q23. Which measurement provides quantitative data about ointment flow under stress?

• Spreadability by finger test only
• Viscosity measurement using a rheometer or viscometer
• Visual inspection of color
• Smell intensity ranking

Correct Answer: Viscosity measurement using a rheometer or viscometer

Q24. When a water-in-oil absorption base is emulsified with additional water, the resulting system is typically:

• Converted to a water-in-oil emulsion with increased water uptake
• Converted to an oleaginous base with no change
• Immediately phase separates irreversibly
• Becomes identical to a PEG ointment

Correct Answer: Converted to a water-in-oil emulsion with increased water uptake

Q25. Which analytical test is used to evaluate the rate of drug release from an ointment?

• In vitro diffusion or release studies using Franz diffusion cell
• pH paper test
• Odor threshold test
• Color matching assay

Correct Answer: In vitro diffusion or release studies using Franz diffusion cell

Q26. In compounding, what is the main purpose of geometric dilution?

• To ensure uniform mixing of components present in unequal amounts
• To sterilize the mixture
• To change the pH of the formulation
• To increase particle size intentionally

Correct Answer: To ensure uniform mixing of components present in unequal amounts

Q27. Which packaging material is preferred for light-sensitive ointments?

• Clear plastic tubes
• Opaque or amber-colored tubes or aluminum tubes
• Glass open jars exposed to light
• Transparent glass syringes

Correct Answer: Opaque or amber-colored tubes or aluminum tubes

Q28. Which surfactant characteristic favors formation of water-in-oil emulsions?

• High HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) value
• Low HLB (lipophilic) value
• Completely water-soluble surfactant only
• No surfactant at all

Correct Answer: Low HLB (lipophilic) value

Q29. What is the typical role of lanolin in ointment formulations?

• As a powerful preservative
• As an absorption enhancer and emulsifying agent
• To decrease spreadability only
• To act as a water-soluble solvent

Correct Answer: As an absorption enhancer and emulsifying agent

Q30. Which practice helps minimize microbial contamination during ointment compounding?

• Working in a clean, disinfected area and using sterile utensils and preservatives when appropriate
• Leaving containers open to air to avoid buildup
• Using tap water directly without testing
• Wearing no gloves to maintain tactile feel

Correct Answer: Working in a clean, disinfected area and using sterile utensils and preservatives when appropriate

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