Introduction to Novel Drug Delivery Systems MCQs With Answer offers B. Pharm students a focused review of NDDS concepts, including controlled release, targeted delivery, nanoparticles, liposomes, microspheres, transdermal patches, and implants. This resource emphasizes formulation strategies, polymers like PLGA and chitosan, characterization parameters (particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency), release kinetics, and clinical advantages such as improved bioavailability and reduced toxicity. Questions probe preparation methods (emulsification, spray drying, nanoprecipitation), sterilization, stability, regulatory considerations, and advanced carriers like dendrimers and solid lipid nanoparticles. Clear explanations reinforce theoretical and practical understanding for exam success. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which of the following best defines a novel drug delivery system (NDDS)?
- A system that changes drug chemistry to create new APIs
- A formulation designed to deliver drugs at controlled rates and/or targeted sites
- A traditional immediate-release tablet formulation
- A method to increase pill size for patient compliance
Correct Answer: A formulation designed to deliver drugs at controlled rates and/or targeted sites
Q2. Which polymer is most commonly used for biodegradable microspheres in controlled release?
- PVA (polyvinyl alcohol)
- PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid))
- Polyethylene
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
Correct Answer: PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid))
Q3. Liposomes are best described as:
- Solid lipid crystals
- Vesicles composed of one or more phospholipid bilayers enclosing an aqueous core
- Polymeric nanoparticles with metallic cores
- Hydrophobic oil droplets stabilized by surfactants
Correct Answer: Vesicles composed of one or more phospholipid bilayers enclosing an aqueous core
Q4. Which characterization parameter is directly related to nanoparticle stability and tendency to aggregate?
- Entrapment efficiency
- Zeta potential
- Viscosity
- Thermal conductivity
Correct Answer: Zeta potential
Q5. In solvent evaporation emulsification for polymeric nanoparticles, what is the primary role of the organic solvent?
- Act as a pore former in the final particle
- Dissolve the drug and polymer to form the dispersed phase which is later removed
- Increase aqueous phase viscosity
- Provide a hydrophilic environment for protein drugs
Correct Answer: Dissolve the drug and polymer to form the dispersed phase which is later removed
Q6. Which release kinetics model describes a system where drug release is proportional to the square root of time (typical for diffusion-controlled systems)?
- Zero-order kinetics
- First-order kinetics
- Higuchi model
- Korsmeyer-Peppas with n = 1
Correct Answer: Higuchi model
Q7. What advantage do solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) offer over conventional emulsions?
- They always provide faster release than emulsions
- They combine advantages of liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles with enhanced stability and controlled release
- They are composed solely of synthetic polymers
- They eliminate need for surfactants entirely
Correct Answer: They combine advantages of liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles with enhanced stability and controlled release
Q8. PEGylation of nanoparticles is primarily used to:
- Increase immunogenicity of the carrier
- Increase opsonization and clearance by RES
- Prolong circulation time by reducing protein adsorption
- Reduce drug solubility in plasma
Correct Answer: Prolong circulation time by reducing protein adsorption
Q9. Which technique is commonly used to determine particle size distribution of nanoparticles?
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
- Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
- Mass spectrometry
Correct Answer: Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
Q10. What does entrapment efficiency measure in nanoparticle formulations?
- The rate at which particles settle in suspension
- The percentage of drug encapsulated within carrier relative to total drug used
- The zeta potential value of the formulation
- The polymer degradation rate
Correct Answer: The percentage of drug encapsulated within carrier relative to total drug used
Q11. Which delivery system is most suited for sustained systemic delivery through the skin without breaking the epidermis?
- Intravenous bolus injection
- Transdermal patches
- Oral immediate-release tablet
- Topical cream for local action only
Correct Answer: Transdermal patches
Q12. Which ligand is commonly used for active targeting of nanoparticles to cancer cells overexpressing folate receptors?
- Glucose
- Folic acid (folate)
- Albumin
- Cellulose
Correct Answer: Folic acid (folate)
Q13. In nasal drug delivery, mucoadhesive polymers improve bioavailability primarily by:
- Creating a hydrophobic barrier on mucosa
- Increasing residence time and promoting absorption across mucosa
- Stimulating mucociliary clearance
- Denaturing enzymes in nasal secretions
Correct Answer: Increasing residence time and promoting absorption across mucosa
Q14. Dendrimers are characterized by which structural feature?
- A single large hydrophobic core with no branches
- Highly branched, tree-like architecture with multiple surface functional groups
- Random cross-linked polymer matrix
- Bilayer lipid vesicle structure
Correct Answer: Highly branched, tree-like architecture with multiple surface functional groups
Q15. Which sterilization method is generally NOT suitable for sterilizing liposomal formulations containing sensitive phospholipids?
- Gamma irradiation at high dose
- Sterile filtration through 0.22 μm filter
- Aseptic manufacturing
- Sterile gas (e.g., ethylene oxide) under controlled conditions
Correct Answer: Gamma irradiation at high dose
Q16. The term “bioavailability” in context of NDDS refers to:
- The percentage of drug that is metabolized in the liver
- The rate and extent to which the active drug reaches systemic circulation
- The concentration of excipients in the formulation
- The ability of a drug to bind to plasma proteins
Correct Answer: The rate and extent to which the active drug reaches systemic circulation
Q17. Mucoadhesive microspheres are particularly useful for which purpose?
- Rapid intravenous delivery
- Increasing gastric residence time and localized gastrointestinal delivery
- Providing immediate-release sublingual absorption only
- Replacing enteric coatings for sustained colon targeting only
Correct Answer: Increasing gastric residence time and localized gastrointestinal delivery
Q18. Which of the following is a major regulatory concern unique to nanoparticle-based drug products?
- Color variability of tablets
- Characterization of particle size, surface properties, and potential for altered biodistribution
- Printing errors on blister packs
- Standard dissolution test for immediate-release tablets
Correct Answer: Characterization of particle size, surface properties, and potential for altered biodistribution
Q19. Which preparation technique is commonly used for producing solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN)?
- Hot homogenization followed by ultrasonication
- Direct compression
- Coacervation without heat
- Tableting with microcrystalline cellulose
Correct Answer: Hot homogenization followed by ultrasonication
Q20. Microneedle arrays enhance transdermal delivery primarily by:
- Increasing stratum corneum thickness
- Create microchannels that bypass the stratum corneum barrier
- Destroying dermal vasculature
- Stimulating sweat glands to excrete drug
Correct Answer: Create microchannels that bypass the stratum corneum barrier
Q21. Which parameter indicates how quickly a polymeric implant releases its drug payload independent of concentration?
- Zero-order release rate
- First-order release rate
- Partition coefficient of the drug
- Glass transition temperature only
Correct Answer: Zero-order release rate
Q22. Nanoprecipitation technique is most suitable for:
- Hydrophilic protein encapsulation without modification
- Preparing polymeric nanoparticles by precipitation of polymer from a solvent into non-solvent
- Spray drying aqueous solutions into large microparticles
- Forming multilamellar liposomes exclusively
Correct Answer: Preparing polymeric nanoparticles by precipitation of polymer from a solvent into non-solvent
Q23. Which surfactant is commonly used as a stabilizer in nanoparticle formulations and is known by the trade name Tween 80?
- Polysorbate 80
- Sodium dodecyl sulfate
- Povidone
- Sorbitan monostearate
Correct Answer: Polysorbate 80
Q24. In ocular drug delivery, what is a primary challenge that NDDS aim to overcome?
- Excessive systemic absorption leading to overdose
- Rapid precorneal drug elimination due to tear turnover and nasolacrimal drainage
- High corneal thickness preventing any absorption
- Complete lack of vasculature in conjunctiva
Correct Answer: Rapid precorneal drug elimination due to tear turnover and nasolacrimal drainage
Q25. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model is used to analyze release from polymeric systems; an exponent n ≤ 0.5 in a spherical matrix indicates:
- Case-II transport (relaxation-controlled)
- Fickian diffusion-controlled release
- Super case-II transport
- Immediate burst release only
Correct Answer: Fickian diffusion-controlled release
Q26. Which carrier is most appropriate for delivering hydrophilic macromolecules like peptides to protect them from enzymatic degradation?
- Polymeric nanoparticles or liposomes with encapsulation
- Immediate-release enteric-coated tablets
- Simple aqueous solution for oral administration
- Plain transdermal patch without enhancers
Correct Answer: Polymeric nanoparticles or liposomes with encapsulation
Q27. What is the main benefit of using mucoadhesive polymers like chitosan in NDDS?
- They increase systemic degradation of the drug
- They enhance adhesion to mucosal surfaces and can open tight junctions to improve absorption
- They always cause irritation and therefore should be avoided
- They convert hydrophobic drugs into gases
Correct Answer: They enhance adhesion to mucosal surfaces and can open tight junctions to improve absorption
Q28. Which analytical method helps determine chemical interactions between drug and excipients in NDDS by identifying functional groups?
- Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
- Scanning electron microscopy for size
- Differential scanning calorimetry for viscosity
Correct Answer: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
Q29. Which statement about polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating on nanoparticles is TRUE?
- PEG coating always increases targeting to tumor cells without exception
- PEG increases hydrophilicity and reduces opsonization, prolonging circulation time
- PEG makes particles more hydrophobic and prone to aggregation
- PEG is used to increase crystalline melting point of lipids
Correct Answer: PEG increases hydrophilicity and reduces opsonization, prolonging circulation time
Q30. Which factor most strongly influences the rate of drug release from biodegradable polymeric microspheres?
- Color of the polymer
- Molecular weight and composition (lactide:glycolide ratio) of the polymer
- Ambient light intensity during storage only
- Presence of metal ions in packaging foil exclusively
Correct Answer: Molecular weight and composition (lactide:glycolide ratio) of the polymer
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