Semisolid dosage forms are fundamental to topical and transdermal drug delivery, playing a crucial role in treating various skin conditions. For B.Pharm students, understanding the formulation, classification, and evaluation of ointments, creams, pastes, and gels is essential. This knowledge underpins the development of effective, stable, and aesthetically pleasing products that ensure proper drug penetration and patient compliance. This quiz covers these vital pharmaceutical concepts.
- Which of the following is a key characteristic of a semisolid dosage form?
- It is a true solution.
- It is intended for injection.
- It is applied topically to the skin or mucous membranes.
- It is a dry powder for inhalation.
- Pastes are different from ointments because they contain a higher percentage of:
- Water
- Insoluble solids
- Oil
- Gelling agent
- A cream is a semisolid dosage form that is a(n):
- Suspension
- Solution
- Emulsion
- Powder
- Which ointment base is also known as a hydrocarbon base and is highly occlusive?
- Water-soluble base
- Absorption base
- Oleaginous base
- Water-removable base
- Gels are semisolid systems in which a liquid is constrained within a:
- Three-dimensional polymeric matrix
- Fatty base
- Layer of insoluble solids
- Water-in-oil emulsion
- “Vanishing cream” is an example of which type of cream?
- Water-in-oil (w/o)
- Oil-in-water (o/w)
- A paste
- An oleaginous ointment
- Which factor would increase the dermal penetration of a drug?
- Increased particle size of the drug
- Increased viscosity of the vehicle
- Application to hydrated skin
- A highly ionized drug form
- The levigation technique, using a small amount of liquid, is used in the preparation of ointments to:
- Increase the viscosity
- Reduce the particle size of a powder
- Act as a preservative
- Emulsify the base
- Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Ointment is an example of a(n):
- Oleaginous base
- Absorption base
- Water-removable base
- Water-soluble base
- Due to their stiffness and protective properties, pastes are ideal for:
- Application to hairy areas
- Forming a barrier on the skin
- Vanishing effects
- Cooling effects
- “Cold cream” is a classic example of a(n):
- o/w emulsion cream
- w/o emulsion cream
- Anhydrous ointment
- Hydrogel
- An excipient that helps to retain moisture in a semisolid preparation is a(n):
- Stiffening agent
- Emollient
- Humectant
- Antioxidant
- Which of the following is NOT a primary mechanism of dermal penetration?
- Transcellular route
- Intercellular route
- Trans-appendageal route (via follicles/glands)
- Intravenous route
- The fusion method is used to prepare ointments when:
- The base contains solids with high melting points.
- The drug is thermolabile.
- The base is a liquid.
- The drug is a powder.
- A gel that consists of a liquid organic phase entrapped in a polymer matrix is a(n):
- Hydrogel
- Organogel
- Xerogel
- Aerogel
- Which base can absorb significant amounts of water to form a w/o emulsion?
- Hydrocarbon base (e.g., petrolatum)
- Absorption base (e.g., lanolin)
- Water-soluble base (e.g., PEG)
- Silicone base
- Which property makes pastes less greasy than ointments?
- The high percentage of insoluble solids adsorbs secretions.
- They contain more water.
- They are made with a water-soluble base.
- They evaporate quickly.
- The evaluation test that measures the area a given amount of semisolid covers is the ______ test.
- viscosity
- pH
- spreadability
- drug content
- Water-removable bases are essentially:
- Oleaginous bases
- w/o emulsions
- o/w emulsions
- Water-soluble bases
- Which of the following is a primary excipient in a gel?
- Gelling agent
- Emulsifier
- Stiffening agent
- Levigating agent
- The stratum corneum is the primary barrier to:
- Blood flow
- Nerve conduction
- Dermal drug penetration
- Skin coloration
- The method of incorporating a drug into an ointment base by mixing on a slab with a spatula is known as:
- Fusion
- Trituration (incorporation)
- Emulsification
- Gelling
- Compared to ointments, creams are generally:
- More greasy and more occlusive
- Less greasy and easier to spread
- Stiffer and less absorbent
- Clear and transparent
- Zinc Oxide Paste is a classic example of a:
- Cream
- Ointment
- Paste
- Gel
- Hydrogels are typically composed of a polymer network dispersed in:
- Oil
- Alcohol
- Water
- A hydrocarbon base
- Which of these is an example of an oleaginous base?
- Hydrophilic Petrolatum
- Polyethylene Glycol Ointment
- White Petrolatum
- Hydrophilic Ointment
- A key advantage of gels as a dosage form is that they are:
- Highly occlusive
- Greasy and emollient
- Typically clear, non-greasy, and easily removed
- Suitable for insoluble drugs
- Substances that enhance the permeation of drugs through the skin are called:
- Humectants
- Emollients
- Penetration enhancers
- Stiffening agents
- Which type of ointment base is also known as an “emulsifiable” base?
- Oleaginous base
- Absorption base
- Water-removable base
- Water-soluble base
- What is the main difference between an ointment and a paste?
- The base used
- The route of administration
- The proportion of solid material
- The color
- Which statement best describes a cream?
- A solid dosage form for rectal use.
- A semisolid emulsion for topical use.
- A clear, hydroalcoholic liquid for oral use.
- A fine powder for external use.
- Factors influencing dermal penetration of a drug include:
- The physicochemical properties of the drug
- The characteristics of the vehicle
- The condition of the skin
- All of the above
- The process of incorporating fine, insoluble powders into an ointment base is:
- Trituration
- Fusion
- Gellation
- Emulsification
- Carbomers (e.g., Carbopol) and tragacanth are common examples of:
- Ointment bases
- Gelling agents
- Emulsifiers
- Preservatives
- The occlusive effect of oleaginous bases helps to:
- Hydrate the skin by preventing moisture loss
- Cool the skin by evaporation
- Remove excess oil from the skin
- Deliver water-soluble drugs effectively
- Which of the following would be classified as a semi-solid?
- Liniment
- Lotion
- Paste
- Syrup
- For a drug to be absorbed through the skin, it must pass through the:
- Hypodermis
- Dermis
- Stratum corneum
- Subcutaneous fat layer
- Which evaluation parameter is critical for assessing the stability of a cream?
- Phase separation
- Disintegration
- Hardness
- Friability
- Lanolin (wool fat) is a common component of which type of base?
- Oleaginous
- Absorption
- Water-removable
- Water-soluble
- Pastes are not suitable for application to which area of the body?
- The face
- The arms
- Hairy areas
- The back
- A gel that is clear and transparent is often preferred for its:
- High drug loading
- Occlusive properties
- Aesthetic appeal or elegance
- Long shelf life
- The drug is dissolved, not dispersed, in which ointment base?
- Oleaginous base
- Absorption base
- Water-soluble base
- w/o emulsion base
- A key functional difference between creams and ointments is that creams are generally:
- More occlusive
- More emollient
- Less greasy and “vanish” on the skin
- Harder to apply
- Which is NOT a primary classification of semisolid dosage forms?
- Ointments
- Creams
- Powders
- Gels
- The melting and softening of an ointment to body temperature is an important characteristic for:
- Gels
- Fatty-based ointments
- Hydrogels
- Pastes
- What is the primary role of an excipient like petrolatum?
- To act as a preservative
- To provide the drug effect
- To act as an oleaginous vehicle or base
- To act as a gelling agent
- A semisolid preparation that becomes fluid upon shaking and reforms a gel on standing is described as:
- Thixotropic
- Eutectic
- Hygroscopic
- Effervescent
- Which of these is an evaluation test for a semisolid dosage form?
- Uniformity of drug content
- pH of the preparation
- Viscosity
- All of the above
- The main difference between an o/w cream and a w/o cream lies in the:
- Active ingredient
- External or continuous phase
- Method of application
- Color
- Which semisolid dosage form is generally the stiffest?
- Cream
- Ointment
- Gel
- Paste
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