Monophasic liquids, or true solutions, represent a significant category of pharmaceutical dosage forms. For B.Pharm students, understanding these single-phase systems is essential for formulating a wide range of products, from oral syrups and elixirs to topical lotions and gargles. This quiz focuses on the definitions, key components, and specific applications of various monophasic liquids, covering the core knowledge required for their proper preparation and use.
- A monophasic liquid dosage form is a system that consists of:
- Two immiscible liquid phases
- A single, homogenous phase
- Solid particles dispersed in a liquid
- Gas bubbles dispersed in a liquid
- Which of the following is the primary component of a simple syrup?
- Alcohol
- Purified water
- Sucrose
- Glycerin
- Elixirs are clear, sweetened solutions that contain both water and:
- Oil
- Propylene glycol
- Alcohol
- Acetone
- A liquid preparation intended for application to the skin with friction and rubbing is a(n):
- Lotion
- Liniment
- Enema
- Gargle
- Viscous liquid preparations applied to the mucous membrane of the throat with a brush are known as:
- Mouthwashes
- Gargles
- Throat paints
- Syrups
- Which dosage form is an aqueous solution used to treat infections and inflammation of the throat?
- Mouthwash
- Gargle
- Elixir
- Liniment
- Lotions are typically applied to the skin for their:
- Counter-irritant effect
- Anesthetic effect
- Soothing and cooling effect
- Rubefacient effect
- Liquid preparations instilled into the ear are called:
- Nasal drops
- Ophthalmic drops
- Ear drops
- Enemas
- What is a key difference between syrups and elixirs?
- Syrups are alcoholic, while elixirs are aqueous.
- Elixirs are more viscous than syrups.
- Syrups are sweeter and more viscous than elixirs.
- Elixirs are for external use only.
- Enemas are liquid dosage forms intended for administration into the:
- Vagina
- Nose
- Rectum
- Ear
- Mouthwashes are primarily used to:
- Treat systemic infections
- Cleanse and deodorize the oral cavity
- Treat throat infections
- Be swallowed for nutritional value
- The vehicle commonly used in throat paints due to its viscosity and sweet taste is:
- Water
- Alcohol
- Glycerin
- Propylene glycol
- Which statement is true about elixirs?
- They are generally unable to dissolve alcohol-soluble substances.
- They can be self-preserving due to their alcohol content.
- They are more effective at masking taste than syrups.
- They are a type of biphasic liquid.
- Nasal drops should ideally be ______ with nasal secretions.
- hypertonic
- hypotonic
- isotonic
- acidic
- Which of the following is NOT a monophasic liquid dosage form?
- Solution
- Suspension
- Syrup
- Elixir
- A simple syrup according to the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) contains what concentration of sucrose?
- 50% w/v
- 66.7% w/w
- 85% w/v
- 90% w/w
- Which monophasic liquid is applied to the skin without friction?
- Liniment
- Lotion
- Collodion
- Ointment
- The main advantage of a solution as a dosage form is:
- Uniformity of dose
- Increased drug stability
- Absence of taste
- Suitability for all drugs
- An excipient used in an elixir to help dissolve alcohol-insoluble substances is:
- Water
- Alcohol
- Glycerin
- A co-solvent like propylene glycol
- Evacuant enemas are used to:
- Provide systemic drug absorption
- Provide local soothing effects
- Cleanse the bowel
- Deliver nutrients
- The vehicle for ear drops is often anhydrous glycerin or propylene glycol because they:
- Are highly aqueous
- Are hygroscopic and draw moisture from the tissues
- Are less viscous
- Evaporate quickly
- The primary purpose of a high concentration of sucrose in syrup is to:
- Act as a therapeutic agent
- Provide sweetness and prevent microbial growth
- Decrease the viscosity
- Improve the color
- Which of the following is a potential problem with elixirs?
- They cannot be sweetened.
- They are too viscous to pour.
- The alcohol can precipitate water-soluble substances.
- They are not clear.
- A liniment that produces a reddening of the skin is said to have a ______ effect.
- counter-irritant
- rubefacient
- analgesic
- anesthetic
- Which of the following is a true solution?
- Magma
- Gel
- Emulsion
- Elixir
- Why are elixirs generally less effective than syrups at masking the taste of drugs?
- They are less sweet and less viscous.
- They contain alcohol.
- They are less clear.
- They are not flavored.
- A retention enema is designed to be:
- Expelled immediately
- Held in the rectum for a prolonged period for absorption
- Used for cleaning the ear
- Applied to the skin
- Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a lotion?
- Applied without rubbing
- Usually for external use
- Has a lubricating or cooling effect
- Is a biphasic liquid
- Aromatic waters are clear, saturated aqueous solutions of:
- Sugars
- Alcohols
- Volatile oils or aromatic substances
- Salts
- Compared to aqueous solutions, glycerin-based ear drops have the advantage of:
- Evaporating quickly
- Adhering better to the ear canal
- Being less irritating
- Being easier to prepare
- The term “vehicle” in a monophasic liquid refers to the:
- Active ingredient
- Preservative
- Solvent or carrier medium
- Flavoring agent
- A solution containing a substance dissolved in water is a(n) ______ solution.
- alcoholic
- non-aqueous
- aqueous
- oily
- Which statement best describes a liniment?
- A clear, sweetened hydroalcoholic solution for oral use.
- A concentrated aqueous solution of sugar.
- An alcoholic or oleaginous solution applied to the skin with rubbing.
- A solution used to cleanse the mouth.
- Glycerin is often used as a vehicle because it is:
- Volatile and evaporates quickly
- Viscous and has preservative properties
- A non-polar solvent
- Inexpensive and readily available
- Which of the following is a key consideration for nasal preparations?
- pH and tonicity
- Sweetness
- Viscosity
- Color
- The high osmotic pressure of simple syrup IP helps to:
- Improve drug solubility
- Resist microbial growth
- Enhance flavor
- Decrease viscosity
- Which dosage form is prepared by dissolving one or more solutes in a solvent?
- Suspension
- Emulsion
- Solution
- Ointment
- A major difference between a gargle and a mouthwash is that:
- Gargles are used for the throat, while mouthwashes are for the oral cavity.
- Mouthwashes are viscous, while gargles are not.
- Gargles are never sweetened.
- Mouthwashes are alcoholic, while gargles are aqueous.
- The term “monophasic” indicates that the system is composed of how many phases?
- Zero
- One
- Two
- Three
- A co-solvent is used to:
- Increase the aqueous solubility of a poorly soluble drug.
- Act as the main vehicle.
- Preserve the formulation.
- Add color to the liquid.
- Which of the following is NOT a monophasic liquid?
- Spirit
- Tincture
- Magma
- Aromatic water
- Spirits are alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions of:
- Sugars
- Volatile substances
- Fixed oils
- Gums
- A key advantage of elixirs is their ability to dissolve:
- Only water-soluble drugs
- Only alcohol-soluble drugs
- Both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble drugs
- Only insoluble drugs
- Why should liniments not be applied to broken or bruised skin?
- They can cause excessive irritation.
- They will not be absorbed.
- They lose their potency.
- They will stain the skin.
- Which excipient would be added to a liquid to improve its taste?
- Vehicle
- Co-solvent
- Preservative
- Sweetening agent
- The inversion of sucrose in syrups can be caused by:
- High temperatures and acidic pH
- Low temperatures and alkaline pH
- The presence of alcohol
- The absence of preservatives
- Tinctures are alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions prepared from:
- Chemical substances
- Volatile oils
- Vegetable or chemical substances
- Sugars
- Which of these is applied using a camel hair brush?
- Gargle
- Mouthwash
- Throat Paint
- Liniment
- A solution is a thermodynamically ______ system.
- unstable
- stable
- biphasic
- solid
- The primary reason for classifying liquid dosage forms is based on the:
- Number of phases present in the system
- Route of administration
- Color of the liquid
- Type of active ingredient

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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