Guidelines for performance of experiments MCQs With Answer

This set of Guidelines for performance of experiments MCQs With Answer equips B. Pharm students with essential laboratory principles, standard operating procedures (SOPs), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), safety protocols, and quality control concepts. Focused on experimental design, accurate measurement, calibration, validation, error analysis, data integrity, documentation, and ethical conduct, these questions reinforce practical skills and theoretical grounding for pharmaceutical experiments. Emphasis on precision, accuracy, reagent handling, instrument maintenance, and risk assessment prepares students for real-world lab work and examinations. Use this targeted practice to build competence in method validation, troubleshooting, sample preparation, and clinical relevance. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which document most directly details step-by-step procedures for performing a specific laboratory task?

• Validation report
• Standard operating procedure (SOP)
• Research article
• Good manufacturing practice (GMP) guideline

Correct Answer: Standard operating procedure (SOP)

Q2. Which GLP principle ensures that raw data are attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, and accurate?

• ALCOA (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate)
• CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action)
• DOE (Design of Experiments)
• IQ/OQ/PQ (Installation/Operational/Performance Qualification)

Correct Answer: ALCOA (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate)

Q3. In calibration of a pH meter, which action is essential before measuring samples?

• Calibrate with at least two standard buffers covering the expected pH range
• Rinse the electrode with distilled water only once
• Use tap water as a buffer to save time
• Store the electrode in dry air between readings

Correct Answer: Calibrate with at least two standard buffers covering the expected pH range

Q4. Which parameter evaluates the closeness of repeated measurements to each other?

• Accuracy
• Specificity
• Precision
• Robustness

Correct Answer: Precision

Q5. Which validation characteristic assesses an analytical method’s ability to measure the intended analyte without interference?

• Linearity
• Specificity
• Range
• Repeatability

Correct Answer: Specificity

Q6. During experiment planning, what is the primary purpose of performing a risk assessment?

• To increase experimental complexity
• To identify hazards, mitigate risks, and protect personnel and data integrity
• To eliminate the need for SOPs
• To reduce documentation requirements

Correct Answer: To identify hazards, mitigate risks, and protect personnel and data integrity

Q7. Which practice ensures proper chain of custody and traceability of samples?

• Labeling samples with unique identifiers and recording transfers in the logbook
• Keeping samples unlabeled to avoid bias
• Storing all samples in a single unmonitored container
• Relying on verbal handover only

Correct Answer: Labeling samples with unique identifiers and recording transfers in the logbook

Q8. What is the best way to minimize systematic error in an assay?

• Randomize sample order
• Use a proper calibration curve and validated reference standards
• Measure each sample only once
• Ignore instrument drift

Correct Answer: Use a proper calibration curve and validated reference standards

Q9. Which entry format is recommended for laboratory notebooks under GLP?

• Loose sheets stored in different folders
• Bound notebook with dated, signed entries and no blank spaces
• Digital notes without backup
• Handwritten notes with erasable pencil

Correct Answer: Bound notebook with dated, signed entries and no blank spaces

Q10. For pipette performance, which parameter should be checked regularly to ensure accuracy?

• Tip color
• Dispensed volume via gravimetric testing
• Battery level
• Ambient music in the lab

Correct Answer: Dispensed volume via gravimetric testing

Q11. Which of the following best defines limit of detection (LOD)?

• The highest concentration that can be measured accurately
• The lowest concentration that can be reliably distinguished from background noise
• The concentration where the instrument saturates
• The concentration used for routine calibration

Correct Answer: The lowest concentration that can be reliably distinguished from background noise

Q12. When validating a method’s linearity, which action is essential?

• Test only a single concentration point
• Prepare and analyze multiple concentrations across the intended range and plot response vs concentration
• Use only the highest standard
• Ignore regression statistics

Correct Answer: Prepare and analyze multiple concentrations across the intended range and plot response vs concentration

Q13. What is the correct disposal method for organic solvent waste in a teaching laboratory?

• Pour down the sink with excess water
• Collect in a labeled organic waste container for hazardous waste disposal
• Evaporate in open air
• Mix with food waste

Correct Answer: Collect in a labeled organic waste container for hazardous waste disposal

Q14. Which control sample monitors long-term assay performance during a study?

• Blank control only
• System suitability standard measured once
• Quality control (QC) sample run with each batch
• Random patient sample

Correct Answer: Quality control (QC) sample run with each batch

Q15. What does accuracy measure in an analytical procedure?

• Closeness of measured value to the true or accepted reference value
• Reproducibility between different analysts only
• Instrument responsiveness over time
• Number of significant figures reported

Correct Answer: Closeness of measured value to the true or accepted reference value

Q16. Which action is part of equipment qualification before routine use?

• Ignoring manufacturer instructions
• Performing IQ/OQ/PQ to document installation, operation, and performance
• Using the equipment without calibration
• Allowing untrained staff to adjust settings

Correct Answer: Performing IQ/OQ/PQ to document installation, operation, and performance

Q17. What is the main purpose of running blanks in an analytical run?

• To add extra data points to the calibration curve
• To detect contamination or instrument background that may interfere with analysis
• To replace QC samples
• To calibrate the balance

Correct Answer: To detect contamination or instrument background that may interfere with analysis

Q18. Which practice improves reproducibility when multiple analysts perform the same experiment?

• Using different reagents for each analyst
• Strict adherence to SOPs, training, and standardized reagents and equipment
• Allowing each analyst to modify conditions freely
• Changing calibration procedures daily

Correct Answer: Strict adherence to SOPs, training, and standardized reagents and equipment

Q19. Which hazard symbol indicates a corrosive chemical requiring special handling?

• Flame symbol
• Skull and crossbones
• Corrosion pictogram showing material damaging metal and skin
• Exploding bomb

Correct Answer: Corrosion pictogram showing material damaging metal and skin

Q20. For method robustness testing, which variable might be deliberately changed?

• Manufacturer of the lab coat
• Small changes in temperature, pH, mobile phase composition, or analyst
• Completely new method instrumentation
• Eliminating calibration completely

Correct Answer: Small changes in temperature, pH, mobile phase composition, or analyst

Q21. Which documentation practice supports data integrity in computerized systems?

• Shared passwords among users
• Audit trails, user access controls, and electronic signatures
• Turning off automatic backups
• Manual deletion of raw data files

Correct Answer: Audit trails, user access controls, and electronic signatures

Q22. Which sampling technique reduces sampling bias for bulk powder analysis?

• Taking a single scoop from the top of the container
• Use of a validated sampling plan involving incremental sampling and composite samples
• Only sampling broken particles
• Allowing sampling by untrained personnel

Correct Answer: Use of a validated sampling plan involving incremental sampling and composite samples

Q23. Which measurement indicates random error affecting precision?

• Systematic offset from the true value
• Standard deviation or coefficient of variation of replicate measurements
• Bias determined by a reference method
• Method validation plan

Correct Answer: Standard deviation or coefficient of variation of replicate measurements

Q24. When is it appropriate to perform a system suitability test?

• Only after the study is finished
• Prior to sample analysis to ensure the analytical system is functioning acceptably
• Never; it is optional
• Only if the analyst feels uncertain

Correct Answer: Prior to sample analysis to ensure the analytical system is functioning acceptably

Q25. What role do reference standards play in analytical experiments?

• They are decorative and not used
• They provide known concentrations for calibration, accuracy checks, and traceability
• They replace QC samples
• They are used only for cleaning instruments

Correct Answer: They provide known concentrations for calibration, accuracy checks, and traceability

Q26. Which action is required if an out-of-specification (OOS) result is obtained?

• Report and investigate according to SOP and document corrective actions
• Discard the result and not report it
• Adjust the result to the expected value
• Ignore and continue analysis

Correct Answer: Report and investigate according to SOP and document corrective actions

Q27. In titrimetric analysis, what distinguishes the endpoint from the equivalence point?

• Endpoint is the theoretical point; equivalence is the observed color change
• Endpoint is the observed change (e.g., indicator color); equivalence point is where stoichiometric amounts are present
• They are always the same and interchangeable
• Endpoint relates to instrument calibration only

Correct Answer: Endpoint is the observed change (e.g., indicator color); equivalence point is where stoichiometric amounts are present

Q28. Which factor is critical when preparing standard solutions to ensure accuracy?

• Using approximate glassware without calibration
• Accurate weighing, appropriate volumetric glassware, and proper solvent
• Preparing standards at room temperature without recording conditions
• Relying on estimated concentrations

Correct Answer: Accurate weighing, appropriate volumetric glassware, and proper solvent

Q29. What is the preferred corrective action when a calibrated balance shows drift beyond specification?

• Continue use and note the drift in a personal notebook
• Stop use, take out of service, recalibrate or service, and investigate affected results
• Ignore until the next audit
• Reduce sample sizes to compensate

Correct Answer: Stop use, take out of service, recalibrate or service, and investigate affected results

Q30. Which element best demonstrates ethical conduct in reporting experimental results?

• Selective reporting of favorable data only
• Transparent reporting of methods, raw data, deviations, and negative results
• Altering data to match hypotheses
• Withholding raw data from audits

Correct Answer: Transparent reporting of methods, raw data, deviations, and negative results

G S Sachin

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.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com