Responding to minor ailments and symptom management MCQs With Answer

Responding to minor ailments and symptom management MCQs With Answer

Introduction: This collection of MCQs is tailored for M.Pharm students studying Hospital & Community Pharmacy (MPP 103T) to strengthen clinical reasoning in responding to minor ailments and symptom management. The questions focus on pharmacist-led triage, appropriate over-the-counter (OTC) therapy selection, contraindications, age- and pregnancy-specific precautions, dosing calculations, patient counselling, and when to refer to higher care. Each item is designed to probe practical decision-making, safety considerations, and pharmacotherapeutic rationale common in community and hospital pharmacy practice. Use these MCQs to test knowledge, identify learning gaps, and prepare for applied clinical responsibilities in minor ailment management.

Q1. A patient presents with mild sore throat and no systemic signs; what is the pharmacist’s primary role in responding to this minor ailment?

• Prescribe oral antibiotics immediately
• Provide symptomatic OTC treatment, assess red flags, advise self-care or refer as needed
• Diagnose streptococcal infection and start therapy
• Ignore and recommend herbal remedies only

Correct Answer: Provide symptomatic OTC treatment, assess red flags, advise self-care or refer as needed

Q2. For intermittent allergic rhinitis with predominant sneezing and itching, which OTC option is generally first-line?

• Intranasal decongestant spray for long-term use
• Second-generation oral antihistamine (e.g., cetirizine)
• Oral corticosteroids
• Leukotriene receptor antagonist without prescription

Correct Answer: Second-generation oral antihistamine (e.g., cetirizine)

Q3. What is the primary mechanism of action of loperamide used for acute, non-bloody diarrhoea?

• Inhibition of intestinal bacterial toxins
• Mu-opioid receptor agonism in the gut decreasing motility
• Activation of chloride channels to increase secretion
• Systemic anti-inflammatory effect

Correct Answer: Mu-opioid receptor agonism in the gut decreasing motility

Q4. Which presentation in an adult with fever warrants urgent referral rather than continued self-care?

• Low-grade fever with mild cough for 24 hours
• Temperature ≥39°C or fever lasting >48 hours despite OTC antipyretics
• Intermittent fever responding to antipyretics
• Mild fever with clear improvement after hydration

Correct Answer: Temperature ≥39°C or fever lasting >48 hours despite OTC antipyretics

Q5. For localized acute musculoskeletal pain (e.g., ankle sprain) in an adult, which topical option is appropriate for short-term symptom relief?

• Oral opioids as first-line
• Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (e.g., diclofenac gel)
• Systemic corticosteroids
• Topical antibiotic ointment

Correct Answer: Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (e.g., diclofenac gel)

Q6. Which statement best reflects safe use of oral sympathomimetic nasal decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine) in community pharmacy?

• Safe for use in uncontrolled hypertension
• Contraindicated or should be used with caution in patients with uncontrolled hypertension or severe cardiovascular disease
• Safe to use during first trimester of pregnancy without consultation
• Can be used indefinitely without monitoring

Correct Answer: Contraindicated or should be used with caution in patients with uncontrolled hypertension or severe cardiovascular disease

Q7. What is the recommended single dose of paracetamol (acetaminophen) for a child based on weight for acute fever/pain management?

• 5 mg/kg per dose every 8–12 hours
• 10 mg/kg per dose only once daily
• 15 mg/kg per dose every 4–6 hours (maximum per 24 hours per local guidelines)
• 30 mg/kg per dose every 2 hours

Correct Answer: 15 mg/kg per dose every 4–6 hours (maximum per 24 hours per local guidelines)

Q8. Which statement correctly contrasts antacids and H2-receptor antagonists for symptomatic reflux relief?

• Antacids have slower onset and longer duration than H2 blockers
• Antacids have rapid onset but short duration; H2 blockers have slower onset and longer duration of acid suppression
• H2 blockers are immediate and short-acting neutralizing agents
• Both have identical onset and duration profiles

Correct Answer: Antacids have rapid onset but short duration; H2 blockers have slower onset and longer duration of acid suppression

Q9. What is the recommended immediate first-aid action for a minor thermal burn presenting within minutes of injury?

• Apply ice directly to the burn for 30 minutes
• Cover with butter or oil-based ointment
• Cool the burn under running cool water for 20 minutes, then cover with a sterile dressing
• Break any blisters and apply adhesive bandage

Correct Answer: Cool the burn under running cool water for 20 minutes, then cover with a sterile dressing

Q10. Which patient condition is a clear contraindication to NSAID use for minor pain management in community pharmacy?

• Well-controlled seasonal allergies
• Active peptic ulcer disease or history of NSAID-induced ulceration without protective therapy
• Mild episodic tension headache without gastric history
• Well-controlled diabetes mellitus without complications

Correct Answer: Active peptic ulcer disease or history of NSAID-induced ulceration without protective therapy

Q11. Which OTC topical agent is first-line for uncomplicated dermatophyte (tinea) infections of the skin?

• Topical azole antifungal (e.g., clotrimazole)
• Topical corticosteroid alone
• Oral antibiotic
• Topical antiviral cream

Correct Answer: Topical azole antifungal (e.g., clotrimazole)

Q12. Which counselling point is supported by evidence to improve success with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation?

• Use nicotine gum or lozenge only at night
• Combination therapy (patch plus short-acting NRT like gum) improves quit rates compared with single NRT
• Reduce NRT dose if withdrawal symptoms are severe
• Stop NRT immediately if any craving occurs

Correct Answer: Combination therapy (patch plus short-acting NRT like gum) improves quit rates compared with single NRT

Q13. For adults with mild, functional constipation without alarm features, what is the appropriate first-line OTC recommendation?

• Immediate prescription of opioids
• Bulk-forming laxatives (e.g., psyllium) and lifestyle measures
• High-dose stimulant laxatives as first-line long-term therapy
• Oral antibiotic therapy

Correct Answer: Bulk-forming laxatives (e.g., psyllium) and lifestyle measures

Q14. In elderly patients with chronic constipation and multiple comorbidities, which laxative is generally preferred for safety and efficacy?

• Chronic stimulant laxatives as sole long-term therapy
• Osmotic laxative such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) for regular use
• Castor oil daily
• High-dose sodium phosphate enemas routinely

Correct Answer: Osmotic laxative such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) for regular use

Q15. Which OTC therapy is appropriate for mild allergic conjunctivitis to relieve itching and redness?

• Topical antihistamine/mast-cell stabilizer eye drops (e.g., olopatadine)
• Topical antibiotic eye drops
• Topical steroid drops without prescription
• Oral antibiotics

Correct Answer: Topical antihistamine/mast-cell stabilizer eye drops (e.g., olopatadine)

Q16. Regarding codeine-containing cough or analgesic preparations in children, what precaution is essential in community pharmacy practice?

• Codeine is safe for all ages at OTC doses
• Avoid codeine in children under 12 years and use with extreme caution in adolescents due to variable metabolism and respiratory risk
• Recommend codeine as first-line analgesic for infants
• Prescribe codeine liberally for post-operative pediatric pain without consultation

Correct Answer: Avoid codeine in children under 12 years and use with extreme caution in adolescents due to variable metabolism and respiratory risk

Q17. For a patient with an itchy, localized insect bite and minor swelling, which OTC approach is most appropriate?

• Immediate systemic corticosteroids without assessment
• Topical low-potency corticosteroid (e.g., 1% hydrocortisone) and oral antihistamine for pruritus
• Oral antibiotics as first response
• Deep massage of the area to redistribute venom

Correct Answer: Topical low-potency corticosteroid (e.g., 1% hydrocortisone) and oral antihistamine for pruritus

Q18. Which class of medication is commonly recommended for prevention of motion sickness when taken prophylactically?

• Beta-blockers
• First-generation antihistamines with anticholinergic properties (e.g., dimenhydrinate, meclizine)
• ACE inhibitors
• Topical NSAIDs

Correct Answer: First-generation antihistamines with anticholinergic properties (e.g., dimenhydrinate, meclizine)

Q19. Which sore throat presentation includes red flags that mandate urgent referral rather than OTC management?

• Mild sore throat with normal voice and no breathing difficulty
• Marked drooling, stridor, severe dysphagia or respiratory distress
• Simple sore throat with runny nose and no systemic signs
• Intermittent throat irritation after vocal strain

Correct Answer: Marked drooling, stridor, severe dysphagia or respiratory distress

Q20. For patients with mild inflammatory acne seeking self-care, which OTC topical agent is typically recommended first?

• Topical benzoyl peroxide
• Systemic isotretinoin without specialist referral
• Oral corticosteroids
• Topical antibacterial ointment alone

Correct Answer: Topical benzoyl peroxide

Download