Definition and preparation of throat paints MCQs With Answer

Definition and preparation of throat paints MCQs With Answer: This concise introduction defines throat paints as topical oropharyngeal formulations—viscous solutions, paints or mucoadhesive liquids—designed to deliver local antiseptics, anesthetics or astringents to the pharyngeal mucosa. Preparation principles cover selection of active agents (e.g., local anesthetics, antiseptics), solvents (water, alcohol, glycerin), viscosity modifiers and bioadhesive polymers, preservatives, pH adjustment, incompatibilities and stability considerations. Quality control includes viscosity, pH, preservative efficacy, assay and microbial limits. This resource is tailored for B.Pharm students to reinforce formulation, manufacturing and evaluation concepts relevant to throat paint development. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What is the primary definition of a “throat paint” in pharmaceutical terms?

• A sterile injectable preparation for throat infections
• A topical oropharyngeal liquid or viscous preparation applied to pharyngeal mucosa
• An oral tablet that dissolves in the stomach
• A nasal spray for allergic rhinitis

Correct Answer: A topical oropharyngeal liquid or viscous preparation applied to pharyngeal mucosa

Q2. Which category of active ingredients is most commonly used in throat paints for analgesic effect?

• Systemic antibiotics
• Local anesthetics such as benzocaine or lignocaine
• Systemic antihistamines
• Bronchodilators

Correct Answer: Local anesthetics such as benzocaine or lignocaine

Q3. Which excipient is commonly used to increase viscosity and adhesion of a throat paint to mucosal surfaces?

• Ethyl alcohol
• Methylcellulose or carbomers
• Sodium chloride
• Propylene glycol

Correct Answer: Methylcellulose or carbomers

Q4. What is the role of glycerin in throat paint formulations?

• Primary preservative against bacteria
• Solubilizer, humectant and viscosity modifier to improve spreadability
• pH neutralizer
• Primary active antiseptic

Correct Answer: Solubilizer, humectant and viscosity modifier to improve spreadability

Q5. Which preservative is frequently employed in aqueous throat paints to control microbial growth?

• Methylparaben/proplyparaben
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Magnesium stearate

Correct Answer: Methylparaben/proplyparaben

Q6. For a throat paint containing povidone-iodine, what important stability consideration must be monitored?

• Light-induced oxidation and iodine loss
• Hydrolysis to ammonia
• Polymerization into a resin
• Conversion to gaseous iodine at room temperature

Correct Answer: Light-induced oxidation and iodine loss

Q7. Which method of preparation is appropriate when formulating a homogenous aqueous throat paint with soluble active ingredients?

• Fusion of solids at high temperature
• Simple solution: dissolve actives and excipients under stirring followed by filtration
• Lyophilization and reconstitution in the final container
• Emulsification using two immiscible aqueous phases

Correct Answer: Simple solution: dissolve actives and excipients under stirring followed by filtration

Q8. Which test is essential as part of quality control for throat paints to ensure product safety for mucosal application?

• Pyrogen test only
• Microbial limit test and preservative efficacy test
• Single-point pH measurement without documentation
• Only visual inspection

Correct Answer: Microbial limit test and preservative efficacy test

Q9. What is the effect of pH on the activity and stability of many local anesthetics in throat paints?

• Lower pH usually increases the unionized fraction enhancing membrane penetration
• Higher pH always degrades the active compound
• pH has no effect on local anesthetics
• Local anesthetics are only active at pH 7.0 exactly

Correct Answer: Lower pH usually increases the unionized fraction enhancing membrane penetration

Q10. Which packaging is preferred to protect throat paint formulations from light and contamination?

• Clear PET bottles without caps
• Amber glass bottles with tight closures and dropper applicators
• Open plastic tubs
• Metal cans with wide openings

Correct Answer: Amber glass bottles with tight closures and dropper applicators

Q11. Which of the following describes a mucoadhesive polymer used to prolong residence time of throat paints?

• Sodium chloride
• Carbomer or chitosan
• Sorbitol
• Calcium carbonate

Correct Answer: Carbomer or chitosan

Q12. When formulating a throat paint with alcohol as solvent, which patient counseling point is most relevant?

• Alcohol content has no systemic absorption
• Avoid use in children and alcohol-sensitive patients; caution in usage frequency
• Alcohol will convert anesthetic into an inactive form instantly
• Alcohol eliminates the need for preservatives

Correct Answer: Avoid use in children and alcohol-sensitive patients; caution in usage frequency

Q13. Which in-process control ensures uniformity of content during throat paint manufacture?

• Visual color check alone
• Assay of active ingredient in representative samples
• Only final pH measurement
• Smell test by operator

Correct Answer: Assay of active ingredient in representative samples

Q14. What is a common incompatibility concern when combining phenolic antiseptics with other excipients?

• Phenolics form stable complexes with sugars increasing potency
• Phenolics can be inactivated by alkaline excipients and some polymers
• Phenolics are incompatible with water only
• Phenolics universally increase viscosity

Correct Answer: Phenolics can be inactivated by alkaline excipients and some polymers

Q15. Which preservative efficacy parameter specifically measures the ability to reduce microbial load over time?

• Viscosity index
• Preservative efficacy test (challenge test)
• Boiling point elevation
• Refractive index

Correct Answer: Preservative efficacy test (challenge test)

Q16. For a throat paint intended as astringent, which active ingredient class is commonly used?

• Aminoglycoside antibiotics
• Tannins or astringent salts like potassium alum
• Systemic corticosteroids
• Beta-blockers

Correct Answer: Tannins or astringent salts like potassium alum

Q17. Which manufacturing practice reduces particulate contamination in throat paint solutions?

• Adding more preservative
• Filtration through appropriate grade filters before filling
• Heating to 200°C
• Leaving batch open to air for longer mixing

Correct Answer: Filtration through appropriate grade filters before filling

Q18. Which analytical test is used to ensure the viscosity of a throat paint meets specification?

• UV absorbance scan
• Viscometry using a rotational or capillary viscometer
• Titration with acid
• Gas chromatography

Correct Answer: Viscometry using a rotational or capillary viscometer

Q19. Which labeling instruction is critical for throat paints containing local anesthetics?

• May cause systemic sedation if swallowed in excess; avoid excessive dosing
• No warnings are needed
• Label only with storage temperature
• Advise use as a systemic analgesic

Correct Answer: May cause systemic sedation if swallowed in excess; avoid excessive dosing

Q20. What is the difference between a throat paint and a gargle formulation in terms of design?

• Throat paints are intended to coat and adhere locally; gargles are rinses for broader oropharyngeal contact and expectoration
• There is no difference; they are identical
• Gargles are only for nasal use
• Throat paints are always dry powders

Correct Answer: Throat paints are intended to coat and adhere locally; gargles are rinses for broader oropharyngeal contact and expectoration

Q21. Which active ingredient would be chosen for both antiseptic and mild analgesic effect in a throat paint?

• Benzydamine
• Insulin
• Amoxicillin
• Salbutamol

Correct Answer: Benzydamine

Q22. During stability testing of a throat paint, which parameter indicates chemical degradation of an active ingredient?

• Increase in pH only
• Decrease in assay potency and appearance of degradation peaks in HPLC
• Improvement in viscosity
• Increase in packaging weight

Correct Answer: Decrease in assay potency and appearance of degradation peaks in HPLC

Q23. Which solvent selection principle is critical when preparing a throat paint with both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble actives?

• Choose a solvent system or cosolvent ratio (water-alcohol) that solubilizes all actives without precipitating excipients
• Use only oil as a solvent
• Solvent choice is irrelevant for solubility
• Always use pure ethanol to ensure sterility

Correct Answer: Choose a solvent system or cosolvent ratio (water-alcohol) that solubilizes all actives without precipitating excipients

Q24. What is the purpose of adding flavoring agents to throat paints?

• To act as primary antiseptics
• To improve palatability and patient compliance
• To increase preservative efficacy
• To reduce viscosity dramatically

Correct Answer: To improve palatability and patient compliance

Q25. Which regulatory standard documents would a B.Pharm student consult for throat paint quality specifications?

• BP/USP/Pharmacopoeial monographs and national regulatory guidelines
• Only local newspaper ads
• Random internet blogs
• Weather reports

Correct Answer: BP/USP/Pharmacopoeial monographs and national regulatory guidelines

Q26. How does a bioadhesive polymer improve clinical performance of a throat paint?

• By reducing active concentration needed due to prolonged mucosal contact time
• By causing systemic absorption instantaneously
• By making the formulation volatile
• By preventing any drug release

Correct Answer: By reducing active concentration needed due to prolonged mucosal contact time

Q27. Which safety test is essential for throat paints intended for children to ensure absence of hazardous contaminants?

• Assay for heavy metals and microbial contamination limits
• Only color assessment
• Only taste testing
• Vibration resistance test

Correct Answer: Assay for heavy metals and microbial contamination limits

Q28. During scale-up of a throat paint formulation, which factor most commonly causes batch-to-batch variability?

• Changes in raw material grades, mixing shear and order of addition
• Time of day of production
• Color of operator clothing
• Ambient music in the plant

Correct Answer: Changes in raw material grades, mixing shear and order of addition

Q29. Which endpoint indicates adequate mucoadhesive performance in vitro for a throat paint?

• Short residence time on mucosal simulant
• High detachment force measured on mucosal models
• Complete dissolution in less than 5 seconds
• No interaction with mucin

Correct Answer: High detachment force measured on mucosal models

Q30. What is an appropriate disposal instruction for unused or expired throat paint with active antiseptics and anesthetics?

• Flush down the sink without restriction
• Follow local hazardous pharmaceutical waste guidelines; do not dispose via household waste or drains
• Mix with food and discard
• Burn in an open area near the facility

Correct Answer: Follow local hazardous pharmaceutical waste guidelines; do not dispose via household waste or drains

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