Pharmaceutical granules are aggregated particles of powder, often prepared for better handling, stability, and performance in drug delivery. They offer advantages over powders in flowability, compressibility, and uniformity, making them ideal for manufacturing tablets and reconstitutable dosage forms. This MCQ quiz explores types, preparation methods, advantages, and pharmaceutical applications of granules.
1. What are pharmaceutical granules?
- A. Liquids for IV use
- B. Aggregates of powdered materials used as dosage forms or intermediates
- C. Soft capsules
- D. Syrups with thickeners
Correct answer: B. Aggregates of powdered materials used as dosage forms or intermediates
2. Which method is commonly used to prepare granules?
- A. Freeze drying
- B. Wet granulation
- C. Direct compression
- D. Micronization
Correct answer: B. Wet granulation
3. Which of the following is a key reason for using granules over powders?
- A. Less stable
- B. Poor flowability
- C. Improved flow and reduced dust
- D. Lower cost
Correct answer: C. Improved flow and reduced dust
4. Effervescent granules contain:
- A. Only sugar
- B. An acid and a base that react in water to release CO₂
- C. Only buffer agents
- D. Oils and water
Correct answer: B. An acid and a base that react in water to release CO₂
5. What is the purpose of drying granules after wet granulation?
- A. Increase density
- B. Stabilize particle size
- C. Remove solvent/moisture
- D. Change flavor
Correct answer: C. Remove solvent/moisture
6. Which of the following excipients is commonly used as a binder in granule formulation?
- A. Lactose
- B. Talc
- C. Starch paste
- D. Citric acid
Correct answer: C. Starch paste
7. Dry granulation is preferred when the drug is:
- A. Heat-sensitive or moisture-sensitive
- B. Soluble in alcohol
- C. Stable in water
- D. Low potency
Correct answer: A. Heat-sensitive or moisture-sensitive
8. What equipment is used in wet granulation to size the damp mass?
- A. Sieve shaker
- B. Spray dryer
- C. Granulator or screen
- D. Emulsifier
Correct answer: C. Granulator or screen
9. A major benefit of granules for reconstitution is:
- A. Immediate dosing
- B. Reduced taste masking
- C. Extended shelf life in dry form
- D. Enhanced tablet hardness
Correct answer: C. Extended shelf life in dry form
10. What characterizes a granule’s flowability compared to a powder?
- A. Poorer flow
- B. Equal flow
- C. Better flow due to larger particle size and less cohesion
- D. Inconsistent flow
Correct answer: C. Better flow due to larger particle size and less cohesion
11. A granule formulation intended for pediatric use should consider:
- A. High alcohol content
- B. Taste masking and ease of dispersion
- C. Extended-release coating
- D. Nonporous particles
Correct answer: B. Taste masking and ease of dispersion
12. In effervescent granules, sodium bicarbonate acts as:
- A. Colorant
- B. Lubricant
- C. Base component in acid-base reaction
- D. Flavor enhancer
Correct answer: C. Base component in acid-base reaction
13. What is the role of a binder in granule formation?
- A. Color enhancement
- B. Promoting cohesion of particles
- C. Reducing density
- D. Preventing microbial growth
Correct answer: B. Promoting cohesion of particles
14. What is slugging in dry granulation?
- A. Mixing liquids
- B. Forming large compressed masses (slugs) before milling into granules
- C. Drying in vacuum
- D. Storing powders
Correct answer: B. Forming large compressed masses (slugs) before milling into granules
15. Which granule property is essential for uniform dosing?
- A. Color
- B. Angle of repose
- C. Uniform particle size distribution
- D. Hydrophobicity
Correct answer: C. Uniform particle size distribution
16. The ideal moisture content of granules after drying is:
- A. 0%
- B. 1–2%
- C. 3–5%
- D. 10–15%
Correct answer: C. 3–5%
17. Which granulation method does not use water or heat?
- A. Wet granulation
- B. Melt granulation
- C. Dry granulation
- D. Spray granulation
Correct answer: C. Dry granulation
18. A major disadvantage of granules is:
- A. Poor compressibility
- B. Limited patient acceptance
- C. Higher production cost than powders
- D. Lower flowability
Correct answer: C. Higher production cost than powders
19. Spray drying in granule formation is used for:
- A. Powder blending
- B. Direct compaction
- C. Rapid evaporation and spherical granule formation
- D. Tablet coating
Correct answer: C. Rapid evaporation and spherical granule formation
20. Granules improve content uniformity especially for:
- A. Volatile drugs
- B. Low-dose drugs
- C. Lipid-soluble drugs
- D. Topical agents
Correct answer: B. Low-dose drugs
21. What factor enhances the stability of granules over powders?
- A. Larger surface area
- B. Reduced surface exposure and better protection of actives
- C. More dust formation
- D. Increased flow
Correct answer: B. Reduced surface exposure and better protection of actives
22. Granules are often preferred for:
- A. Nasal delivery
- B. Parenteral injection
- C. Controlled-release oral dosage forms
- D. Transdermal application
Correct answer: C. Controlled-release oral dosage forms
23. The compressibility index (Carr’s Index) for granules is generally:
- A. Higher than for powders
- B. Not applicable
- C. Lower than powders, indicating better compressibility
- D. Similar to aerosols
Correct answer: C. Lower than powders, indicating better compressibility
24. Taste masking in granules can be achieved using:
- A. Enteric coating
- B. Sugar only
- C. Alcohol
- D. Micronization
Correct answer: A. Enteric coating
25. Which of the following is an example of a granule-based pharmaceutical product?
- A. Oral suspension
- B. Sachets for reconstitution (e.g., amoxicillin granules)
- C. IV injection
- D. Transdermal patch
Correct answer: B. Sachets for reconstitution (e.g., amoxicillin granules)
26. An ideal binder for pediatric granules is:
- A. Alcohol
- B. Sugar syrup or hydroxypropyl cellulose
- C. Hydrochloric acid
- D. PEG 1000
Correct answer: B. Sugar syrup or hydroxypropyl cellulose
27. Which of the following affects granule size during wet granulation?
- A. Binder viscosity and granulating force
- B. Colorant addition
- C. Tablet compression speed
- D. Capsule size
Correct answer: A. Binder viscosity and granulating force
28. A disadvantage of effervescent granules is:
- A. Slow onset
- B. Hygroscopic nature
- C. Difficulty in swallowing
- D. Lack of flavor
Correct answer: B. Hygroscopic nature
29. How can granule flow be improved during manufacturing?
- A. Increase humidity
- B. Reduce drying time
- C. Add glidants like talc or colloidal silica
- D. Use smaller mesh
Correct answer: C. Add glidants like talc or colloidal silica
30. What granulation method forms granules using a molten binder?
- A. Spray drying
- B. Melt granulation
- C. Dry granulation
- D. Tumble mixing
Correct answer: B. Melt granulation
31. Key factors controlling granule drying include:
- A. Packaging and coloring
- B. Airflow, temperature, and humidity
- C. Moisture content of tablets
- D. Porosity of capsules
Correct answer: B. Airflow, temperature, and humidity
32. Which analysis is used to evaluate granule flowability?
- A. Infrared spectroscopy
- B. Chromatography
- C. Angle of repose and Hausner ratio
- D. UV absorbance
Correct answer: C. Angle of repose and Hausner ratio
33. An ideal granule for tablet manufacturing has:
- A. Poor flow and high porosity
- B. High moisture and fine size
- C. Uniform size, good flow, low moisture
- D. Irregular shape and odor
Correct answer: C. Uniform size, good flow, low moisture
34. Uniform mixing of active with excipients before granulation is important for:
- A. Lubrication
- B. Ensuring uniform drug content
- C. Speeding up drying
- D. Reducing coating costs
Correct answer: B. Ensuring uniform drug content
35. Which of the following is not typically used in dry granulation?
- A. Roller compactor
- B. Slugging press
- C. High shear granulator
- D. Tablet press for compaction
Correct answer: C. High shear granulator
36. One benefit of granules in sachet packaging is:
- A. Complex compounding
- B. Uniform dosing and portability
- C. Slow onset
- D. High water activity
Correct answer: B. Uniform dosing and portability
37. A granule formulation labeled “for suspension” should be:
- A. Injected IM
- B. Dispersed in water before use
- C. Swallowed dry
- D. Mixed with alcohol
Correct answer: B. Dispersed in water before use
38. What physical test ensures appropriate granule size distribution?
- A. Tapping test
- B. Disintegration test
- C. Sieve analysis
- D. Moisture assay
Correct answer: C. Sieve analysis
39. Which excipient helps mask bitterness in granules?
- A. Sodium lauryl sulfate
- B. Microcrystalline cellulose
- C. Sweeteners and flavoring agents
- D. Glidants
Correct answer: C. Sweeteners and flavoring agents
40. Poorly dried granules can lead to:
- A. Enhanced palatability
- B. Microbial growth and clumping
- C. Better flowability
- D. Taste improvement
Correct answer: B. Microbial growth and clumping
41. What is the ideal storage condition for granules?
- A. High temperature
- B. Moist and warm
- C. Cool, dry, and tightly sealed
- D. Refrigerated in open jars
Correct answer: C. Cool, dry, and tightly sealed
42. Incompatibilities in granule formulations are often managed by:
- A. Adding talc
- B. Mixing in one container
- C. Preparing separate granules and layering
- D. Using alcohol
Correct answer: C. Preparing separate granules and layering
43. Uniform granule drying prevents:
- A. Improved dissolution
- B. Clumping and stability issues
- C. Overdosing
- D. Enhanced porosity
Correct answer: B. Clumping and stability issues
44. A glidant is added to granules to:
- A. Reduce solubility
- B. Improve taste
- C. Enhance flow properties
- D. Aid disintegration
Correct answer: C. Enhance flow properties
45. Ultimately, the purpose of granule formulation is to:
- A. Reduce dosage strength
- B. Improve flow, compressibility, and product stability
- C. Avoid solid dosage forms
- D. Increase patient burden
Correct answer: B. Improve flow, compressibility, and product stability
46. The role of disintegrants in granules for tablets is to:
- A. Improve flow
- B. Aid in breaking down the tablet after administration
- C. Mask taste
- D. Act as preservatives
Correct answer: B. Aid in breaking down the tablet after administration
47. Granules can be coated to:
- A. Increase particle size only
- B. Enhance taste and modify drug release
- C. Make them non-digestible
- D. Reduce their density
Correct answer: B. Enhance taste and modify drug release
48. Granules used for extended-release formulations often include:
- A. Volatile oils
- B. Immediate-release excipients
- C. Polymers or matrix-forming agents
- D. Coloring agents only
Correct answer: C. Polymers or matrix-forming agents
49. What problem occurs if granules have wide particle size distribution?
- A. Improved compressibility
- B. Reduced flow variation
- C. Risk of segregation and dosing inaccuracy
- D. Enhanced solubility
Correct answer: C. Risk of segregation and dosing inaccuracy
50. Which of the following best describes the goal of evaluating granule properties during formulation?
- A. To determine marketing strategy
- B. To ensure uniform drug content, stability, and manufacturability
- C. To test for coloring strength
- D. To assess financial feasibility
Correct answer: B. To ensure uniform drug content, stability, and manufacturability