Dusting powders – formulation and applications MCQs With Answer

Introduction

Dusting powders are finely divided topical preparations formulated to protect skin, reduce friction, absorb moisture and deliver medicaments. This concise guide covers formulation principles, common excipients (talc, starch, kaolin, silica), selection of medicaments (zinc oxide, antifungals), manufacturing steps (milling, blending, sieving), quality tests (fineness, flow, microbial limits) and key applications in dermatology and wound care. B. Pharm students will learn how particle size, adsorbents, glidants and preservatives influence performance, safety (asbestos concerns with talc) and stability. The material links formulation science to clinical uses and regulatory checks. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What best defines a dusting powder in pharmacy?

• Liquid preparation applied to the skin
• Finely divided solid preparations for topical application
• Solid tablets crushed for inhalation
• Sterile injectable suspension

Correct Answer: Finely divided solid preparations for topical application

Q2. What are primary functions of dusting powders?

• Provide systemic drug delivery via skin
• Reduce friction, absorb moisture and deliver medicament to the skin
• Act as oral bulking agents
• Serve as injectable suspending agents

Correct Answer: Reduce friction, absorb moisture and deliver medicament to the skin

Q3. Which excipients are commonly used as bases in dusting powders?

• Gelatin and glycerin
• Talc, starch, and kaolin
• Polyethylene glycol and polysorbate
• Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and xanthan gum

Correct Answer: Talc, starch, and kaolin

Q4. Which materials are commonly used as adsorbents in dusting powder formulations?

• Sucrose and lactose
• Kaolin, colloidal silica, and bentonite
• Sterile water and propylene glycol
• Sodium chloride and potassium phosphate

Correct Answer: Kaolin, colloidal silica, and bentonite

Q5. Which medicament is frequently used in powders for mild antiseptic and protective action?

• Acetaminophen
• Zinc oxide
• Amoxicillin
• Insulin

Correct Answer: Zinc oxide

Q6. How does particle size affect dusting powder performance?

• Larger particles increase spreadability and adhesion
• Smaller particle size increases spreadability and adhesiveness; may increase dustiness and cohesion
• Particle size has no effect on sensory feel
• Only color is affected by particle size

Correct Answer: Smaller particle size increases spreadability and adhesiveness; may increase dustiness and cohesion

Q7. What is a common manufacturing sequence for dusting powders?

• Compression, coating, packaging
• Milling, blending (geometric dilution), sieving and packaging
• Emulsification, homogenization, sterilization
• Lyophilization, granulation, compression

Correct Answer: Milling, blending (geometric dilution), sieving and packaging

Q8. Why are glidants or lubricants added to dusting powders?

• To increase water content
• To enhance color intensity
• To improve powder flow and reduce caking
• To increase tablet hardness

Correct Answer: To improve powder flow and reduce caking

Q9. Which antifungal is commonly formulated into medicated dusting powders for superficial mycoses?

• Miconazole nitrate
• Rifampicin
• Metformin
• Propranolol

Correct Answer: Miconazole nitrate

Q10. Which preservative is often used in low-moisture topical powders to control microbial contamination?

• Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben)
• Heparin
• Penicillin
• Sodium bicarbonate

Correct Answer: Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben)

Q11. Which quality control test is used to assess the fineness of dusting powders?

• Disintegration test
• Sieve analysis (fineness test)
• pH titration
• Flame test

Correct Answer: Sieve analysis (fineness test)

Q12. What is a major stability concern for dusting powders?

• Hydrolysis in water-rich environments
• Hygroscopicity and microbial growth due to moisture uptake
• Rapid photodegradation in solid form
• Loss of tablet compression strength

Correct Answer: Hygroscopicity and microbial growth due to moisture uptake

Q13. Which excipient is used as a glidant in dusting powders to improve flow?

• Colloidal silicon dioxide
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Polyethylene glycol 400
• Hydroxypropyl cellulose

Correct Answer: Colloidal silicon dioxide

Q14. What processing change can reduce the dustiness of a powder?

• Reducing particle size to ultrafine
• Granulation to produce larger, less dispersible particles
• Increasing hygroscopic excipients
• Adding more fragrance

Correct Answer: Granulation to produce larger, less dispersible particles

Q15. What safety concern is associated with talc used in powders?

• High microbial load by default
• Potential asbestos contamination in some talc sources
• Instant oxidation on exposure to air
• Extremely high solubility in water

Correct Answer: Potential asbestos contamination in some talc sources

Q16. Why is talc use restricted or cautioned in infant powders?

• Talc turns into a liquid on skin contact
• Risk of inhalation leading to respiratory irritation in infants
• Talc is highly allergenic when applied topically
• Talc forms explosive mixtures with air

Correct Answer: Risk of inhalation leading to respiratory irritation in infants

Q17. What is the role of perfumes and colorants in dusting powders?

• Provide therapeutic antiseptic action
• Enhance cosmetic acceptability and patient compliance
• Act as primary absorbents
• Serve as preservatives

Correct Answer: Enhance cosmetic acceptability and patient compliance

Q18. Which technique is preferred to ensure uniform distribution of a potent drug in a powder batch?

• Simple pouring without mixing
• Geometric dilution during blending
• Heating above melting point
• Solvent evaporation

Correct Answer: Geometric dilution during blending

Q19. Which parameter is commonly used to evaluate flow properties of powder bulk?

• Melting point
• Angle of repose
• Boiling point
• Optical rotation

Correct Answer: Angle of repose

Q20. Which excipients act principally as drying agents in dusting powders?

• Starch and talc as absorbents
• Glycerin and PEG
• Water and propylene glycol
• Polysorbate 80 and lecithin

Correct Answer: Starch and talc as absorbents

Q21. Which medicated powder is classically used to relieve pruritus and protect skin?

• Calamine
• Ibuprofen
• Amoxicillin
• Furosemide

Correct Answer: Calamine

Q22. Which sterilization method is suitable for sterilizing dusting powders without damaging powder properties?

• Autoclaving with steam at 121°C
• Gamma irradiation
• Immersion in saline
• High-pressure homogenization

Correct Answer: Gamma irradiation

Q23. What is the role of diluents in dusting powder formulations?

• To react chemically with the drug
• To increase bulk, improve flow and facilitate accurate dosing
• To sterilize the formulation
• To serve as primary active antifungal agents

Correct Answer: To increase bulk, improve flow and facilitate accurate dosing

Q24. Which medicated powder is commonly recommended for diaper rash and barrier protection?

• Zinc oxide-containing powder
• Oral aspirin powder
• Topical insulin powder
• Intravenous saline powder

Correct Answer: Zinc oxide-containing powder

Q25. How do small amounts of oils or emollients affect dusting powder performance?

• They increase powder volatility
• They reduce dustiness but may decrease drying and increase greasiness
• They always improve antimicrobial activity
• They make the powder water-soluble

Correct Answer: They reduce dustiness but may decrease drying and increase greasiness

Q26. What is the preferred pH characteristic for powders intended for application to normal skin?

• Strongly alkaline (pH > 10)
• Near neutral to mildly acidic (around pH 5.5–7)
• Strongly acidic (pH < 2)
• Exactly pH 9

Correct Answer: Near neutral to mildly acidic (around pH 5.5–7)

Q27. Why should strong irritant antiseptics be used with caution in dusting powders?

• They increase powder melting point
• They may cause local irritation, delay healing and provoke sensitization
• They always make the powder sterile
• They convert powder into tablets

Correct Answer: They may cause local irritation, delay healing and provoke sensitization

Q28. Which azole antifungal is often formulated into topical powders for dermatophytoses?

• Clotrimazole
• Amoxicillin
• Metformin
• Simvastatin

Correct Answer: Clotrimazole

Q29. What accelerated stability conditions are standard for testing topical powders?

• 0°C and 10% RH
• 40°C and 75% relative humidity
• 100°C and 100% RH
• 25°C in a vacuum

Correct Answer: 40°C and 75% relative humidity

Q30. Which list best describes desirable properties of a dusting powder?

• Irritant, gritty, poorly flowing and hydroscopic
• Non-irritant, free from grit, free-flowing, good adsorbent and cosmetically acceptable
• Highly adhesive, sticky, and very wetting
• Strongly colored, highly fragrant and corrosive

Correct Answer: Non-irritant, free from grit, free-flowing, good adsorbent and cosmetically acceptable

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