Topical drug delivery allows medications to be applied directly to the skin or mucosal surfaces for localized or systemic effects. It is commonly used in the treatment of dermatological conditions, pain, and hormone replacement. Topical formulations include ointments, creams, gels, lotions, and transdermal patches. This MCQ quiz explores formulation types, pharmacokinetics, application sites, advantages, and clinical applications.
1. What is the primary goal of topical drug delivery?
- A. Achieve rapid oral absorption
- B. Deliver drug directly to the skin for local or systemic effect
- C. Avoid dermal exposure
- D. Replace parenteral injection
Correct answer: B. Deliver drug directly to the skin for local or systemic effect
2. Which of the following is a semi-solid topical dosage form?
- A. Elixir
- B. Ointment
- C. Capsule
- D. Spray
Correct answer: B. Ointment
3. Which layer of skin is the major barrier to drug absorption?
- A. Dermis
- B. Subcutaneous tissue
- C. Stratum corneum
- D. Hypodermis
Correct answer: C. Stratum corneum
4. Topical corticosteroids are typically used to treat:
- A. Hypertension
- B. Skin inflammation
- C. Seizures
- D. Fungal infections only
Correct answer: B. Skin inflammation
5. A gel differs from a cream by:
- A. Being more oily
- B. Having a water-based or alcohol-based clear matrix
- C. Being a solid dosage form
- D. Causing more irritation
Correct answer: B. Having a water-based or alcohol-based clear matrix
6. Which topical form is best suited for hairy areas of the body?
- A. Ointment
- B. Lotion
- C. Paste
- D. Transdermal patch
Correct answer: B. Lotion
7. Which of the following provides prolonged drug release through the skin into systemic circulation?
- A. Cream
- B. Ointment
- C. Transdermal patch
- D. Powder
Correct answer: C. Transdermal patch
8. The main advantage of topical delivery is:
- A. High systemic bioavailability
- B. Avoiding gastric irritation and first-pass metabolism
- C. High protein binding
- D. Immediate excretion
Correct answer: B. Avoiding gastric irritation and first-pass metabolism
9. Which of the following topical vehicles is most occlusive?
- A. Lotion
- B. Ointment
- C. Gel
- D. Aerosol
Correct answer: B. Ointment
10. Topical antifungal agents are commonly used to treat:
- A. Hypertension
- B. Diabetes
- C. Ringworm
- D. Influenza
Correct answer: C. Ringworm
11. What is the primary function of an occlusive base like petrolatum?
- A. Enhance drug metabolism
- B. Provide a cooling effect
- C. Prevent moisture loss and enhance absorption
- D. Reduce itching
Correct answer: C. Prevent moisture loss and enhance absorption
12. Which of the following topical dosage forms dries to form a flexible film on the skin?
- A. Lotion
- B. Patch
- C. Film-forming solution
- D. Cream
Correct answer: C. Film-forming solution
13. Transdermal patches are often used for:
- A. High-dose antibiotics
- B. Chronic pain or hormone therapy
- C. Treating acne
- D. Rapid local effect
Correct answer: B. Chronic pain or hormone therapy
14. Which skin condition may reduce topical drug absorption?
- A. Inflammation
- B. Dry, thickened skin
- C. Open wounds
- D. Warm, moist areas
Correct answer: B. Dry, thickened skin
15. The absorption of topical drugs is increased by:
- A. Thick callused skin
- B. Cool temperature
- C. Occlusion and hydration
- D. UV exposure
Correct answer: C. Occlusion and hydration
16. Which topical form is best for dry, scaly lesions?
- A. Lotion
- B. Gel
- C. Ointment
- D. Spray
Correct answer: C. Ointment
17. The ideal application area for a transdermal patch is:
- A. Mucous membranes
- B. Thick hair-covered regions
- C. Clean, dry, hairless skin
- D. Broken skin
Correct answer: C. Clean, dry, hairless skin
18. Topical anesthetics are commonly used in:
- A. Respiratory infections
- B. Dental procedures and minor skin injuries
- C. Liver disease
- D. Osteoporosis
Correct answer: B. Dental procedures and minor skin injuries
19. A cream is typically:
- A. An oil-in-water emulsion
- B. A wax-based solid
- C. Alcohol-only solution
- D. Hydrophobic gel
Correct answer: A. An oil-in-water emulsion
20. The primary reason topical steroids should be used cautiously is:
- A. They stain clothing
- B. Systemic side effects with prolonged use
- C. Cause nausea
- D. Are unstable in sunlight
Correct answer: B. Systemic side effects with prolonged use
21. Which topical agent is best for broken or weeping skin lesions?
- A. Powder
- B. Ointment
- C. Gel
- D. Lotion
Correct answer: D. Lotion
22. The term “percutaneous absorption” refers to drug penetration through the:
- A. Lungs
- B. GI tract
- C. Skin
- D. Kidneys
Correct answer: C. Skin
23. Which type of medication delivery uses microneedles to enhance drug penetration?
- A. Sublingual tablets
- B. Aerosols
- C. Microneedle patches
- D. Ointments
Correct answer: C. Microneedle patches
24. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of topical administration?
- A. Site-specific action
- B. Lower systemic side effects
- C. Better taste
- D. Ease of use
Correct answer: C. Better taste
25. A disadvantage of topical delivery is:
- A. Pain
- B. Local irritation and poor patient compliance with greasy bases
- C. Very fast systemic absorption
- D. Difficulty in formulation
Correct answer: B. Local irritation and poor patient compliance with greasy bases
26. Topical antibiotics are preferred in:
- A. Internal organ infections
- B. Localized skin infections
- C. Lung infections
- D. Liver abscess
Correct answer: B. Localized skin infections
27. Which of the following is a risk when applying topical corticosteroids to large areas?
- A. Skin dryness
- B. Systemic absorption leading to HPA axis suppression
- C. Increased wound healing
- D. Bronchospasm
Correct answer: B. Systemic absorption leading to HPA axis suppression
28. A transdermal patch should be applied:
- A. On wet skin
- B. Over an open wound
- C. To a clean, intact skin surface
- D. Over a mole
Correct answer: C. To a clean, intact skin surface
29. Which of the following helps improve patient compliance in topical therapy?
- A. Oily consistency
- B. Slow onset
- C. Ease of application and cosmetic acceptability
- D. Burning sensation
Correct answer: C. Ease of application and cosmetic acceptability
30. Which topical dosage form has both cooling and drying effects?
- A. Cream
- B. Ointment
- C. Gel
- D. Paste
Correct answer: C. Gel
31. What is a characteristic of a paste?
- A. Low solid content
- B. High solid content providing a protective layer
- C. Used for oily skin only
- D. Transparent film
Correct answer: B. High solid content providing a protective layer
32. Transdermal systems should be avoided in:
- A. Diabetic patients
- B. Patients with skin irritation or allergy at the site
- C. Hypertensive patients
- D. Elderly patients
Correct answer: B. Patients with skin irritation or allergy at the site
33. Which of the following enhances transdermal drug delivery?
- A. Melanin
- B. Keratin
- C. Penetration enhancers like ethanol or DMSO
- D. Cold water
Correct answer: C. Penetration enhancers like ethanol or DMSO
34. The term “vehicle” in topical formulation refers to:
- A. Drug delivery device
- B. Active ingredient
- C. Inactive base carrying the drug
- D. Transportation cost
Correct answer: C. Inactive base carrying the drug
35. Which of the following is a common side effect of topical tretinoin?
- A. Constipation
- B. Skin peeling and irritation
- C. Hypertension
- D. Bradycardia
Correct answer: B. Skin peeling and irritation
36. What skin condition may increase drug absorption?
- A. Thick calluses
- B. Broken or inflamed skin
- C. Cold weather
- D. Hair growth
Correct answer: B. Broken or inflamed skin
37. Which topical agent is used for burn wound management?
- A. Gentamicin
- B. Silver sulfadiazine
- C. Betamethasone
- D. Ketoconazole
Correct answer: B. Silver sulfadiazine
38. Which of the following describes the function of emollients?
- A. Decrease hydration
- B. Inhibit sebum
- C. Soften and soothe skin
- D. Prevent vasodilation
Correct answer: C. Soften and soothe skin
39. Which type of formulation spreads easily over large surface areas?
- A. Ointment
- B. Cream
- C. Paste
- D. Foam
Correct answer: B. Cream
40. Application of too much topical corticosteroid can cause:
- A. Improved healing
- B. Skin thinning (atrophy)
- C. Bone strengthening
- D. Hair growth
Correct answer: B. Skin thinning (atrophy)
41. Topical agents that draw moisture from the environment are called:
- A. Keratolytics
- B. Humectants
- C. Emollients
- D. Preservatives
Correct answer: B. Humectants
42. Which of the following is a barrier to transdermal drug absorption?
- A. Stratum basale
- B. Stratum spinosum
- C. Stratum corneum
- D. Subcutaneous fat
Correct answer: C. Stratum corneum
43. Which condition is treated using topical retinoids?
- A. Diabetes
- B. Acne
- C. Psoriasis only
- D. Bacterial infections
Correct answer: B. Acne
44. Transdermal systems are most effective for drugs with:
- A. High molecular weight
- B. Poor skin permeability
- C. Low molecular weight and high lipophilicity
- D. Large doses required
Correct answer: C. Low molecular weight and high lipophilicity
45. Ultimately, the goal of topical drug delivery is to:
- A. Avoid oral administration
- B. Provide localized or systemic effect with improved compliance and reduced systemic side effects
- C. Replace injectables
- D. Minimize drug cost
Correct answer: B. Provide localized or systemic effect with improved compliance and reduced systemic side effects
46. The term “dermal delivery” specifically refers to:
- A. Intramuscular injection
- B. Drug action in the deeper muscle
- C. Localized effect within the skin
- D. Drug targeting the CNS
Correct answer: C. Localized effect within the skin
47. Which of the following topical excipients functions as a thickener?
- A. Glycerin
- B. Propylene glycol
- C. Carbomer
- D. Ethanol
Correct answer: C. Carbomer
48. Which dosage form is preferred for moisturizing very dry skin?
- A. Lotion
- B. Gel
- C. Cream
- D. Ointment
Correct answer: D. Ointment
49. Which parameter is least important for transdermal drug candidates?
- A. Low molecular weight
- B. High potency
- C. High melting point
- D. Lipophilicity
Correct answer: C. High melting point
50. Topical therapy is ideal for conditions such as:
- A. Tuberculosis
- B. Acne and eczema
- C. Pneumonia
- D. Peptic ulcers
Correct answer: B. Acne and eczema