Definition and classification of powders MCQs With Answer

Definition and classification of powders MCQs With Answer introduces B. Pharm students to the fundamentals of pharmaceutical powders—dry, finely divided solids designed for internal or external use. This topic covers precise definitions, key classifications (bulk vs divided powders; internal-use vs external-use), particle-size or fineness grading (coarse, moderately coarse, moderately fine, fine, very fine), and specialized categories such as dusting powders, insufflations, dentifrices, effervescent powders, and triturations. It also includes moisture-related behaviors (hygroscopic, deliquescent, efflorescent) and practical handling (eutectic mixtures, adsorbents, packaging). Mastery of these concepts ensures correct selection, compounding, dosing, and packaging of powder dosage forms in pharmacy practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. In pharmaceutics, which statement best defines a pharmaceutical powder?

• A dry, finely divided solid dosage form intended for internal or external use
• A sterile liquid preparation for parenteral administration
• A semi-solid base used for ointments
• A compressed unit dose with a scored line

Correct Answer: A dry, finely divided solid dosage form intended for internal or external use

Q2. Which of the following is NOT a common basis for classifying pharmaceutical powders?

• Particle size (fineness)
• Intended route or application (internal vs external)
• Dosage subdivision (bulk vs divided)
• Color of the powder

Correct Answer: Color of the powder

Q3. What are “divided powders” in pharmacy?

• Powders supplied as a free-flowing mixture in a jar
• Powders individually weighed and wrapped as unit doses
• Powders compressed directly into tablets
• Powders dispersed in oil to form a lotion

Correct Answer: Powders individually weighed and wrapped as unit doses

Q4. Which description best fits “bulk powders”?

• Unit-dose powders sealed in sachets or powder papers
• Powders supplied in a multidose container to be measured per dose
• Powders intended exclusively for parenteral use
• Sterile powders for reconstitution before injection

Correct Answer: Powders supplied in a multidose container to be measured per dose

Q5. Which is classified as an external-use powder?

• Dusting powders
• Oral antacid powder
• Divided laxative powders
• Powders for oral rehydration solution

Correct Answer: Dusting powders

Q6. A powder prepared from a single ingredient is termed a:

• Simple powder
• Compound powder
• Granule
• Capsule

Correct Answer: Simple powder

Q7. A blend of sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and tartaric acid to release CO₂ in water is classified as:

• Insufflation
• Effervescent powder
• Dentifrice
• Trituration

Correct Answer: Effervescent powder

Q8. Which sequence correctly orders fineness classes from largest to smallest particle size (IP style)?

• Coarse → Moderately coarse → Moderately fine → Fine → Very fine
• Very fine → Fine → Moderately fine → Moderately coarse → Coarse
• Coarse → Moderately fine → Moderately coarse → Fine → Very fine
• Moderately coarse → Coarse → Fine → Moderately fine → Very fine

Correct Answer: Coarse → Moderately coarse → Moderately fine → Fine → Very fine

Q9. The standard method for classifying powders by fineness in compounding labs is:

• Polarimetry
• Pycnometry
• Sieve analysis using a calibrated sieve set
• Ostwald viscometry

Correct Answer: Sieve analysis using a calibrated sieve set

Q10. As particle size decreases, which property generally increases for powders?

• Surface area and dissolution rate
• Elasticity of particles
• Melting point
• Chemical valency

Correct Answer: Surface area and dissolution rate

Q11. Dusting powders are intended primarily for:

• External application to skin or mucosal surfaces
• Oral administration
• Intravenous injection
• Rectal administration in gelatin capsules

Correct Answer: External application to skin or mucosal surfaces

Q12. Insufflations are defined as:

• Powders for brushing the teeth
• Powders blown into body cavities (e.g., ear, nose, throat)
• Powders compressed into tablets
• Powders dissolved to form syrups

Correct Answer: Powders blown into body cavities (e.g., ear, nose, throat)

Q13. Powdered dentifrices fall under which broad class?

• External-use powders
• Parenteral powders
• Enteric-coated powders
• Inhalation aerosols

Correct Answer: External-use powders

Q14. Which of the following is NOT a powder dosage form?

• Dusting powder
• Insufflation
• Divided powder
• Hard gelatin capsule

Correct Answer: Hard gelatin capsule

Q15. Which pair is well known to form a eutectic mixture in powders, requiring special handling?

• Talc and kaolin
• Sucrose and lactose
• Menthol and camphor
• Sodium chloride and potassium chloride

Correct Answer: Menthol and camphor

Q16. A powder that absorbs moisture from the air and liquefies is termed:

• Hygroscopic
• Deliquescent
• Efflorescent
• Anhydrous

Correct Answer: Deliquescent

Q17. Powders that lose water of crystallization on exposure to air are called:

• Hygroscopic
• Deliquescent
• Efflorescent
• Anhydrous

Correct Answer: Efflorescent

Q18. In dosage-form classification, “triturations” refers to:

• Dilutions of potent substances with a suitable diluent to a defined strength
• Powders mixed with oil to form pastes
• Sterile powders for reconstitution and injection
• Effervescent powders compressed into tablets

Correct Answer: Dilutions of potent substances with a suitable diluent to a defined strength

Q19. Which statement correctly distinguishes granules from powders?

• Granules are liquid forms, powders are solid forms
• Granules are agglomerates of powder particles with improved flow and reduced dust
• Powders always dissolve faster than granules because they are sterile
• Granules are used only for injections

Correct Answer: Granules are agglomerates of powder particles with improved flow and reduced dust

Q20. Which fineness grade is generally preferred for insufflations?

• Coarse
• Moderately coarse
• Fine
• Very fine

Correct Answer: Very fine

Q21. The traditional term for powder papers containing unit doses is:

• Pulvis
• Chartulae
• Unguentum
• Linimentum

Correct Answer: Chartulae

Q22. ORS supplied as individual sachets best fits which classification?

• Bulk powder for external use
• Divided powder for internal use
• Insufflation
• Dentifrice

Correct Answer: Divided powder for internal use

Q23. The most common diluent used to prepare triturations of potent drugs is:

• Lactose monohydrate
• Talc
• Microcrystalline cellulose
• Liquid paraffin

Correct Answer: Lactose monohydrate

Q24. To handle eutectic-forming powders in divided doses, a suitable adsorbent is often added. Which is commonly used?

• Light magnesium carbonate
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Glycerin
• Liquid glucose

Correct Answer: Light magnesium carbonate

Q25. Which packaging is most appropriate for hygroscopic or deliquescent powders?

• Open-mouth paper envelope
• Well-closed, airtight container with desiccant
• Porous cloth bag
• Permeable plastic wrap

Correct Answer: Well-closed, airtight container with desiccant

Q26. Which is a key advantage of powders as a dosage form?

• Highest patient compliance for bitter drugs
• Greater chemical stability than solutions
• Always provide controlled release
• Require no measurement by the patient

Correct Answer: Greater chemical stability than solutions

Q27. Which is a common disadvantage of powder dosage forms?

• Excellent taste masking
• Uniform dosing without measurement
• Poor taste masking and potential for dosing errors
• Always sterile

Correct Answer: Poor taste masking and potential for dosing errors

Q28. Talc or starch applied to the skin with no active drug is classified as:

• Non-medicated dusting powder
• Divided powder for internal use
• Insufflation
• Effervescent powder

Correct Answer: Non-medicated dusting powder

Q29. When mixing a potent drug with a diluent to prepare triturations, which technique ensures uniformity?

• Geometric dilution
• Levigation
• Granulation
• Sublimation

Correct Answer: Geometric dilution

Q30. In fineness classification, which grade is immediately coarser than “fine”?

• Coarse
• Moderately fine
• Very fine
• Moderately coarse

Correct Answer: Moderately fine

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