Pharmacy compounding addresses the unique needs of individuals when commercially available medications are not suitable. This practice is particularly vital for specific patient populations, from children who need flavored liquids to hospice patients requiring unique dosage forms to manage symptoms. For PharmD students, understanding how to tailor compounded preparations for different types of patients is a core competency that embodies the principle of truly patient-centered care and problem-solving.
1. A primary reason for compounding medications for pediatric patients is the need to create what?
- Higher-strength tablets to increase potency
- Palatable liquid formulations not commercially available
- Standardized adult-sized capsules
- Enteric-coated versions of all medications
Answer: Palatable liquid formulations not commercially available
2. When compounding for geriatric patients, a common goal is to simplify medication regimens by:
- Increasing the number of individual tablets they must take
- Combining multiple compatible medications into a single dosage form
- Only using injectable medications
- Ensuring all medications have a bitter taste
Answer: Combining multiple compatible medications into a single dosage form
3. What is a key consideration when selecting flavors for veterinary compounds?
- All animals prefer sweet, fruity flavors
- The cost of the flavoring agent is the only factor
- Species-specific preferences, such as tuna for cats or liver for dogs
- Using human-grade artificial sweeteners like xylitol
Answer: Species-specific preferences, such as tuna for cats or liver for dogs
4. Compounding for men’s and women’s health often involves which of the following?
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Standard antibiotic therapies
- Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)
- High-dose vitamin supplements
Answer: Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)
5. A pharmacist compounding a topical preparation for a patient with a specific dermatological condition might create a custom formulation to:
- Ensure the product is systemically absorbed
- Omit an excipient to which the patient is allergic
- Make the preparation less potent than commercial versions
- Increase the price of the medication
Answer: Omit an excipient to which the patient is allergic
6. Which dosage form is commonly compounded for dental applications to provide localized treatment?
- Oral tablets
- Intravenous infusions
- Medicated mouth rinses or gels
- Transdermal patches
Answer: Medicated mouth rinses or gels
7. In pain management, compounding allows pharmacists to create:
- Only lower strengths of commercially available opioids
- Formulations with multiple active ingredients for synergistic effects
- Generic versions of brand-name drugs to increase profit
- Addictive substances without a prescription
Answer: Formulations with multiple active ingredients for synergistic effects
8. For hospice and palliative care patients who cannot swallow, which is a commonly compounded dosage form for symptom management?
- Large, hard-pressed tablets
- Concentrated liquids for sublingual use or suppositories
- Enteric-coated granules
- Standard-sized capsules
Answer: Concentrated liquids for sublingual use or suppositories
9. When preparing a suspension for a pediatric patient, which excipient must be avoided due to the risk of “gasping syndrome” in neonates?
- Sucrose
- Glycerin
- Benzyl alcohol
- Sorbitol
Answer: Benzyl alcohol
10. A transdermal gel applied to the ear is a common compounded dosage form for which patient population?
- Geriatric humans
- Veterinary patients, especially cats
- Pediatric infants
- Dental patients
Answer: Veterinary patients, especially cats
11. Why might a combination of topical anesthetics be compounded for a dental procedure?
- To ensure the patient remains fully conscious
- To provide faster onset and longer duration of local anesthesia
- To increase systemic side effects
- Because commercial anesthetics are not effective
Answer: To provide faster onset and longer duration of local anesthesia
12. A compounded troche or lozenge is beneficial for geriatric patients because it:
- Is difficult to swallow
- Dissolves slowly in the mouth, which is ideal for drugs needing local action or for patients who cannot swallow pills
- Requires refrigeration at all times
- Provides rapid systemic absorption through the stomach
Answer: Dissolves slowly in the mouth, which is ideal for drugs needing local action or for patients who cannot swallow pills
13. A PLO (Pluronic Lecithin Organogel) is often used in compounding as a base for what type of preparations?
- Oral suspensions
- Transdermal drug delivery
- Ophthalmic drops
- Rectal suppositories
Answer: Transdermal drug delivery
14. What is the primary purpose of compounding highly concentrated medications for palliative care patients?
- To allow for administration of a therapeutic dose in a very small volume
- To increase the risk of overdose
- To make the medication cheaper
- To ensure the medication has a long beyond-use date
Answer: To allow for administration of a therapeutic dose in a very small volume
15. Which of the following is a significant challenge when compounding for veterinary patients?
- A lack of available active pharmaceutical ingredients
- The wide variation in size and physiology among different animal species
- Veterinarians are not legally allowed to prescribe compounded drugs
- Animals are unable to experience side effects from medications
Answer: The wide variation in size and physiology among different animal species
16. For patients in sports medicine, a compounded cream might combine an anti-inflammatory agent with a local anesthetic to treat:
- Systemic infections
- Localized pain and inflammation from an injury
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Dehydration
Answer: Localized pain and inflammation from an injury
17. What type of compounded preparation might be used to manage “dry socket” after a tooth extraction?
- A systemic antibiotic tablet
- An antiseptic, analgesic gel or paste placed directly into the socket
- A vitamin C infusion
- An over-the-counter pain-relieving patch
Answer: An antiseptic, analgesic gel or paste placed directly into the socket
18. The scope of compounding for women’s health can include preparations for:
- Fertility treatments
- Managing symptoms of menopause
- Treating sexual dysfunction
- All of the above
Answer: All of the above
19. When compounding a hypoallergenic dermatological product, the pharmacist must select a base that is free of common:
- Active ingredients
- Water content
- Allergens like fragrances, dyes, and preservatives
- Therapeutic agents
Answer: Allergens like fragrances, dyes, and preservatives
20. A chewable “treat” is a popular compounded dosage form to improve adherence for:
- Hospice patients
- Geriatric patients with dentures
- Veterinary patients
- Dental patients
Answer: Veterinary patients
21. Compounding allows a pain management specialist to prescribe:
- Strengths of medication that are tailored to an individual patient’s tolerance and needs
- Only medications that are not controlled substances
- Over-the-counter products exclusively
- Expired commercial medications
Answer: Strengths of medication that are tailored to an individual patient’s tolerance and needs
22. Which dosage form is often compounded to deliver hormones like progesterone or testosterone topically?
- Effervescent powders
- Creams or gels
- Oral capsules
- Nasal sprays
Answer: Creams or gels
23. For a geriatric patient with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), which of the following is a suitable compounded alternative to a large tablet?
- An even larger tablet
- A flavored oral suspension or a transdermal gel
- An uncoated, bitter tablet
- A sterile intravenous solution for home use
Answer: A flavored oral suspension or a transdermal gel
24. What is a key reason for compounding medications for animal patients?
- Many human drugs are not available in appropriate strengths for small animals
- Animals prefer the taste of unflavored medications
- Commercial veterinary drugs are always more expensive
- It is illegal to use manufactured drugs for animals
Answer: Many human drugs are not available in appropriate strengths for small animals
25. A “magic mouthwash” is a compounded preparation often used by oncology or dental patients to:
- Whiten teeth
- Treat oral mucositis (mouth sores) and associated pain
- Cure systemic infections
- Improve breath odor
Answer: To treat oral mucositis (mouth sores) and associated pain
26. In hospice care, what is the primary goal of compounding?
- To cure the patient’s underlying disease
- To provide comfort and relieve burdensome symptoms
- To conduct clinical trials on new drugs
- To extend the patient’s life by any means necessary
Answer: To provide comfort and relieve burdensome symptoms
27. The use of a “sticky” vehicle like a paste would be most appropriate for which type of compounded preparation?
- An oral liquid for a child
- A dermatological product intended to stay on a specific area of skin
- A rapid-dissolve tablet
- A solution for intravenous injection
Answer: A dermatological product intended to stay on a specific area of skin
28. Why is xylitol a dangerous excipient to use in a compounded medication for a dog?
- It is highly toxic to dogs, causing hypoglycemia and liver failure
- Dogs are universally allergic to it
- It has an unpleasant taste for canines
- It is a controlled substance
Answer: It is highly toxic to dogs, causing hypoglycemia and liver failure
29. Compounding for geriatric patients often focuses on minimizing:
- Therapeutic efficacy
- Pill burden and anticholinergic side effects
- The number of conversations with the pharmacist
- The use of easy-to-open containers
Answer: Pill burden and anticholinergic side effects
30. Which of the following patient needs could be met by compounding a topical gel for pain?
- A patient who wants to avoid systemic side effects of oral NSAIDs
- A patient who needs a rapid-acting intravenous anesthetic
- A patient who requires antibiotic treatment for pneumonia
- A patient with a severe vitamin deficiency
Answer: A patient who wants to avoid systemic side effects of oral NSAIDs
31. The need to avoid preservatives due to patient sensitivity is a common reason for compounding in which area?
- Dermatology and Ophthalmology
- Veterinary medicine
- Pain management
- Sports medicine
Answer: Dermatology and Ophthalmology
32. What type of information is crucial for a pharmacist to have before compounding for a veterinary patient?
- The animal’s favorite toy
- The specific species, weight, and any known toxicities for that species
- The owner’s credit score
- The pet’s vaccination history only
Answer: The specific species, weight, and any known toxicities for that species
33. Compounded vaginal suppositories are a dosage form used in:
- Men’s health for erectile dysfunction
- Women’s health for hormone delivery or localized anti-fungal treatment
- Pediatrics for fever reduction
- Dental care for gingivitis
Answer: Women’s health for hormone delivery or localized anti-fungal treatment
34. Why might a lollypop be a suitable compounded dosage form for a pediatric patient?
- It provides medication through slow dissolution and oral absorption, useful for oral thrush or pre-procedural anesthetics
- It is the most stable dosage form available
- It allows for the delivery of a very large dose
- It is the only dosage form that can be flavored
Answer: It provides medication through slow dissolution and oral absorption, useful for oral thrush or pre-procedural anesthetics
35. A “otic” compounded preparation is intended for use in the:
- Eye
- Nose
- Ear
- Mouth
Answer: Ear
36. A key challenge in compounding for geriatric patients is accounting for age-related changes in:
- Increased kidney and liver function
- Decreased kidney and liver function, which may require dose adjustments
- A complete lack of chronic diseases
- Their ability to absorb drugs through the skin only
Answer: Decreased kidney and liver function, which may require dose adjustments
37. When compounding for any patient, but especially for children, it’s critical to ensure the accuracy of:
- The color of the final product
- The brand of the flavoring used
- Calculations, to prevent significant overdose or underdose
- The font size on the label
Answer: Calculations, to prevent significant overdose or underdose
38. The scope of compounding in dermatology includes creating preparations for conditions like:
- Acne, psoriasis, and eczema
- Hypertension and diabetes
- Depression and anxiety
- High cholesterol
Answer: Acne, psoriasis, and eczema
39. A patient in palliative care is experiencing severe nausea and cannot take oral medications. A suitable compounded alternative would be:
- A large, uncoated tablet
- A transdermal antiemetic gel or a rectal suppository
- A flavored, high-volume oral liquid
- An effervescent powder
Answer: A transdermal antiemetic gel or a rectal suppository
40. A primary goal of compounding for sports medicine is to:
- Provide banned performance-enhancing drugs
- Help athletes manage pain and inflammation while minimizing systemic effects
- Ensure athletes remain dehydrated
- Create complex intravenous vitamin drips
Answer: Help athletes manage pain and inflammation while minimizing systemic effects
41. Which of the following is an important counseling point for a compounded medication for a pediatric patient?
- “This medication can be shared with siblings.”
- “Store this medication properly, for example, in the refrigerator if required, and note the beyond-use date.”
- “The dose can be estimated using a kitchen spoon.”
- “It is okay to use this medication after it has expired.”
Answer: “Store this medication properly, for example, in the refrigerator if required, and note the beyond-use date.”
42. Compounded testosterone creams for men’s health carry a risk of:
- Causing high blood pressure
- Unintentional transference to women or children through skin contact
- Turning the skin blue
- Being ineffective in all cases
Answer: Unintentional transference to women or children through skin contact
43. The process of making a “paste” for a dermatological condition involves:
- A high percentage of solids in the formulation, making it stiff and protective
- A completely liquid formulation
- A base that melts at room temperature
- A preparation that is designed to be injected
Answer: A high percentage of solids in the formulation, making it stiff and protective
44. For a patient with dental anxiety, a pharmacist might compound:
- A high-caffeine energy drink
- A sedative in a rapid-dissolving tablet or lozenge form for pre-procedure use
- A systemic pain medication to be taken after the procedure
- A standard commercial tranquilizer
Answer: A sedative in a rapid-dissolving tablet or lozenge form for pre-procedure use
45. Which of the following is NOT a common reason to compound for a geriatric patient?
- To avoid an excipient causing an allergy
- To provide a liquid form for a patient with a feeding tube
- To create a much higher dose than is commercially available for safety testing
- To combine several medications into one capsule to reduce pill burden
Answer: To create a much higher dose than is commercially available for safety testing
46. In veterinary compounding, a transdermal gel is often applied to the pinna (inner part of the ear flap) of a cat because:
- It is an area with good blood flow and the cat is less likely to lick it off
- It is the only part of the cat’s body that can absorb medication
- It helps to clean the cat’s ears
- The medication is intended to treat a local ear infection
Answer: It is an area with good blood flow and the cat is less likely to lick it off
47. A challenge of compounding with hormones for BHRT is:
- They are highly potent and require careful handling and precise calculations
- They are not effective when compounded
- They are unstable in all dosage forms
- They are illegal to compound in most states
Answer: They are highly potent and require careful handling and precise calculations
48. Compounding a unique strength of a thyroid medication for a patient is an example of meeting the needs of which population?
- Pediatric patients
- Geriatric patients
- Patients requiring hormone replacement therapy
- All of the above could be correct
Answer: All of the above could be correct
49. The primary focus of compounding for palliative care is:
- Improving the patient’s quality of life
- Extending the patient’s life at all costs
- Reducing the cost of medications
- Simplifying the pharmacist’s workflow
Answer: Improving the patient’s quality of life
50. Ultimately, the scope of compounding for different patients is driven by:
- The desire to make more profit than dispensing commercial drugs
- The presence of a specific patient need that cannot be met by a manufactured product
- The pharmacist’s preference for making certain products
- The availability of expired ingredients
Answer: The presence of a specific patient need that cannot be met by a manufactured product
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