Pulmonary drug delivery enables targeted drug deposition in the respiratory tract for rapid onset and enhanced efficacy, especially in respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD. It also serves as a non-invasive route for systemic drug delivery. This quiz explores devices, formulation science, lung anatomy, pharmacokinetics, and patient counseling—tailored for Pharm.D. students.
1. Pulmonary drug delivery involves administration through the:
- A. Oral cavity
- B. Skin
- C. Nasal or oral route into the lungs
- D. Rectum
Correct answer: C. Nasal or oral route into the lungs
2. The primary advantage of pulmonary drug delivery is:
- A. Slow onset
- B. Avoidance of systemic effects
- C. Rapid onset and localized action
- D. High hepatic metabolism
Correct answer: C. Rapid onset and localized action
3. Which device is used for delivering aerosols in pulmonary therapy?
- A. Nebulizer
- B. Oral syringe
- C. Patch
- D. Capsule
Correct answer: A. Nebulizer
4. Which is a dry powder inhaler (DPI)?
- A. Diskus
- B. MDI with spacer
- C. Nebulizer
- D. Soft mist inhaler
Correct answer: A. Diskus
5. The particle size ideal for alveolar deposition is:
- A. >20 µm
- B. 10–15 µm
- C. 1–5 µm
- D. <0.5 µm
Correct answer: C. 1–5 µm
6. The main site for gas exchange and drug absorption in the lungs is the:
- A. Trachea
- B. Bronchi
- C. Alveoli
- D. Bronchioles
Correct answer: C. Alveoli
7. Which condition is commonly treated with inhaled corticosteroids?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Asthma
- C. Diabetes
- D. Pneumonia
Correct answer: B. Asthma
8. Which of the following is a metered-dose inhaler (MDI)?
- A. Respimat
- B. ProAir HFA
- C. Diskhaler
- D. Accuhaler
Correct answer: B. ProAir HFA
9. Spacer devices are used with MDIs to:
- A. Reduce absorption
- B. Increase dose variability
- C. Improve deposition in the lungs and reduce oropharyngeal deposition
- D. Enhance taste
Correct answer: C. Improve deposition in the lungs and reduce oropharyngeal deposition
10. What is a key formulation challenge in pulmonary drug delivery?
- A. Rapid GI metabolism
- B. Small surface area
- C. Achieving proper particle size for deep lung delivery
- D. Rapid hepatic clearance
Correct answer: C. Achieving proper particle size for deep lung delivery
11. Pulmonary delivery avoids:
- A. Pulmonary circulation
- B. First-pass hepatic metabolism
- C. Respiratory tract absorption
- D. Oxygen transport
Correct answer: B. First-pass hepatic metabolism
12. Which drug is commonly used as a bronchodilator in inhalers?
- A. Hydrocortisone
- B. Albuterol
- C. Penicillin
- D. Ibuprofen
Correct answer: B. Albuterol
13. Nebulizers are preferred in:
- A. Oral medication therapy
- B. Patients with poor inhalation coordination
- C. Pediatric IV therapy
- D. Transdermal drug delivery
Correct answer: B. Patients with poor inhalation coordination
14. Soft mist inhalers (SMIs) deliver drugs:
- A. As a powder
- B. Via injection
- C. As a slow-moving aerosol cloud
- D. Orally
Correct answer: C. As a slow-moving aerosol cloud
15. Which of the following improves drug solubility in inhalation aerosols?
- A. Surfactants
- B. Sodium chloride
- C. Lactose
- D. Ethanol
Correct answer: A. Surfactants
16. A DPI requires the patient to:
- A. Shake before use
- B. Use a spacer
- C. Inhale forcefully and deeply
- D. Insert an IV
Correct answer: C. Inhale forcefully and deeply
17. The respiratory epithelium acts as a barrier and:
- A. Enhances taste
- B. Stimulates absorption
- C. Has mucociliary clearance to remove particles
- D. Blocks oxygen
Correct answer: C. Has mucociliary clearance to remove particles
18. The pH of pulmonary fluids is typically:
- A. 2–3
- B. 7–8
- C. 4–5
- D. 1–2
Correct answer: B. 7–8
19. A primary systemic drug delivered by pulmonary route is:
- A. Naloxone
- B. Salbutamol
- C. Insulin
- D. Atorvastatin
Correct answer: C. Insulin
20. Inhalation route is advantageous for peptide drugs because it:
- A. Requires oral dissolution
- B. Destroys proteins
- C. Avoids GI degradation
- D. Enhances taste
Correct answer: C. Avoids GI degradation
21. Pulmonary route is not ideal for:
- A. Rapid action
- B. Local drug effect
- C. Unstable drugs in air
- D. Systemic delivery of insulin
Correct answer: C. Unstable drugs in air
22. The role of propellants in MDIs is to:
- A. Add flavor
- B. Create pressure and deliver the drug as aerosol
- C. Enhance stability
- D. Prevent coughing
Correct answer: B. Create pressure and deliver the drug as aerosol
23. Breath-actuated inhalers are beneficial for:
- A. Older adults only
- B. Reducing coordination problems
- C. Children with seizures
- D. Delivering IM injections
Correct answer: B. Reducing coordination problems
24. Inhaled anticholinergics like tiotropium are used in:
- A. COPD
- B. Glaucoma
- C. Parkinson’s disease
- D. Hypertension
Correct answer: A. COPD
25. Inhalation therapy improves therapeutic index by:
- A. Increasing dose frequency
- B. Targeting the lungs directly and reducing systemic exposure
- C. Decreasing potency
- D. Enhancing taste
Correct answer: B. Targeting the lungs directly and reducing systemic exposure
26. The onset of action for inhaled albuterol is usually within:
- A. 5 seconds
- B. 1 minute
- C. 15–20 minutes
- D. 2 hours
Correct answer: B. 1 minute
27. Large aerosol particles (>10 µm) are mostly deposited in the:
- A. Alveoli
- B. Bronchioles
- C. Oropharynx
- D. Capillaries
Correct answer: C. Oropharynx
28. Hygroscopic carriers in DPIs are used to:
- A. Color the drug
- B. Prevent dosing
- C. Absorb moisture and protect particles
- D. Cause sneezing
Correct answer: C. Absorb moisture and protect particles
29. Inhaled corticosteroids can cause:
- A. Hepatitis
- B. Oral candidiasis
- C. Hair growth
- D. Constipation
Correct answer: B. Oral candidiasis
30. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of pulmonary delivery?
- A. Needle-free delivery
- B. Large surface area for absorption
- C. Bypasses hepatic metabolism
- D. Consistent bioavailability for all drugs
Correct answer: D. Consistent bioavailability for all drugs
31. Spacers are especially useful in:
- A. Reducing lung deposition
- B. Children and elderly with coordination issues
- C. DPIs
- D. Nebulizer setups
Correct answer: B. Children and elderly with coordination issues
32. What is a soft mist inhaler (SMI) example?
- A. Turbuhaler
- B. Respimat
- C. Diskus
- D. Accuhaler
Correct answer: B. Respimat
33. Inhaled amphotericin B is used to treat:
- A. Fungal lung infections
- B. Viral hepatitis
- C. Malaria
- D. Ringworm
Correct answer: A. Fungal lung infections
34. Inhalation route can be used for systemic diseases such as:
- A. Hyperlipidemia
- B. Diabetes (via insulin)
- C. Bone disorders
- D. Arthritis
Correct answer: B. Diabetes (via insulin)
35. Which patient should NOT use a DPI?
- A. An athlete
- B. An elderly with weak inspiratory flow
- C. A healthy adult
- D. A child over 10
Correct answer: B. An elderly with weak inspiratory flow
36. What is the primary function of lactose in DPIs?
- A. Act as a preservative
- B. Provide moisture
- C. Serve as a carrier for drug particles
- D. Enhance taste
Correct answer: C. Serve as a carrier for drug particles
37. What should patients do after using inhaled corticosteroids?
- A. Eat spicy food
- B. Use a decongestant
- C. Rinse mouth to prevent thrush
- D. Take a nap
Correct answer: C. Rinse mouth to prevent thrush
38. Which inhaler delivers a fine mist without using propellants?
- A. MDI
- B. DPI
- C. SMI
- D. Syringe
Correct answer: C. SMI
39. The total surface area of lungs for drug absorption is approximately:
- A. 0.5 m²
- B. 1 m²
- C. 70–100 m²
- D. 200 m²
Correct answer: C. 70–100 m²
40. Inhaled nitric oxide is primarily used in:
- A. COPD
- B. Neonatal pulmonary hypertension
- C. Asthma
- D. TB
Correct answer: B. Neonatal pulmonary hypertension
41. Exubera was an inhaled form of:
- A. Salbutamol
- B. Cortisone
- C. Insulin
- D. Morphine
Correct answer: C. Insulin
42. Which factor affects DPI performance?
- A. Room lighting
- B. Inhalation flow rate
- C. Skin color
- D. Lipid solubility
Correct answer: B. Inhalation flow rate
43. Which type of inhaler requires shaking before use?
- A. DPI
- B. SMI
- C. MDI
- D. Nebulizer
Correct answer: C. MDI
44. The term “actuation” in inhalers refers to:
- A. Taste masking
- B. Dose measurement
- C. Device cleaning
- D. Releasing a dose of medication
Correct answer: D. Releasing a dose of medication
45. Ultimately, pulmonary drug delivery aims to:
- A. Reduce lung function
- B. Deliver drugs effectively to respiratory tract for local or systemic use with minimal side effects
- C. Avoid oxygen absorption
- D. Replace nasal therapy
Correct answer: B. Deliver drugs effectively to respiratory tract for local or systemic use with minimal side effects
46. Which technique improves drug deposition in the lower lungs during inhalation?
- A. Shallow breathing
- B. Holding breath after inhalation
- C. Exhaling quickly
- D. Sneezing after dosing
Correct answer: B. Holding breath after inhalation
47. Inhaled antibiotics like tobramycin are commonly used for which condition?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Cystic fibrosis
- C. Influenza
- D. Tuberculosis
Correct answer: B. Cystic fibrosis
48. What is the role of surfactants in pulmonary formulations?
- A. Enhance nasal drainage
- B. Improve taste
- C. Reduce surface tension and improve drug dispersion
- D. Increase hepatic clearance
Correct answer: C. Reduce surface tension and improve drug dispersion
49. Which pulmonary condition may impair inhaled drug absorption due to mucus overproduction?
- A. Epilepsy
- B. Chronic bronchitis
- C. GERD
- D. Hypothyroidism
Correct answer: B. Chronic bronchitis
50. Nebulizers convert liquid medication into:
- A. Capsules
- B. Creams
- C. Fine mist or aerosol
- D. Gels
Correct answer: C. Fine mist or aerosol