This compounding session builds on foundational skills by focusing on the preparation of solid and specialized non-sterile dosage forms. Mastering the techniques for creating capsules, powders, troches, and lollipops is essential for pharmacists to meet diverse patient needs. For PharmD students, this knowledge is critical for providing personalized care to patients who require alternative delivery systems, such as children or those with difficulty swallowing.
1. A primary objective of a lab session on compounding is the hands-on preparation of which of the following solid dosage forms?
- Tablets
- Capsules and Powder Packets
- Suppositories
- Transdermal patches
Answer: Capsules and Powder Packets
2. What is the most important counseling point for a patient prescribed a compounded troche for a sore throat?
- Swallow the troche immediately with a full glass of water
- Crush the troche and mix it with food before eating
- Allow the troche to dissolve slowly in the mouth; do not chew or swallow it whole
- Dissolve the troche in water and use it as a mouth rinse
Answer: Allow the troche to dissolve slowly in the mouth; do not chew or swallow it whole
3. When filling hard gelatin capsules by hand, the method of repeatedly pressing the open end of the capsule body into a powder bed is known as the:
- Fusion method
- Punch method
- Wet granulation method
- Levigation method
Answer: The punch method
4. A compounded lollipop is a unique dosage form particularly useful for delivering medication, such as a local anesthetic, to what patient population?
- Geriatric patients with dementia
- Veterinary patients
- Pediatric patients
- Athletes requiring systemic drugs
Answer: Pediatric patients
5. What is the primary purpose of packaging a drug as a divided powder in a powder packet?
- To provide a single, large bulk dose of medication
- To provide an individual, pre-measured dose of a powdered medication
- To make the medication more difficult to take
- To ensure the powder is sterile
Answer: To provide an individual, pre-measured dose of a powdered medication
6. In regard to hard gelatin capsule sizes, which statement is correct?
- A size 5 capsule is larger than a size 0 capsule
- A size 000 capsule is the smallest available size
- A size 0 capsule is larger than a size 1 capsule
- All capsule sizes hold the same amount of powder
Answer: A size 0 capsule is larger than a size 1 capsule
7. A gelling agent like a carbomer is used to provide the structure for which of these dosage forms prepared in a compounding lab?
- Capsules
- Gels
- Powder packets
- Hard troches
Answer: Gels
8. The preparation of a hard troche or lollipop involves which of the following techniques?
- Heating a base (like sugar) to a high temperature and pouring it into a mold
- Compressing a dry powder under high pressure
- Using the punch method to fill a shell
- Dispersing a solid in a non-melting fatty base
Answer: Heating a base (like sugar) and pouring it into a mold
9. What is a key quality control step after compounding a batch of capsules?
- Verifying the final color against a chart
- Performing weight variation analysis to ensure dose uniformity
- Checking the pH of the powder
- Ensuring all capsules have fingerprints on them
Answer: Performing weight variation analysis to ensure dose uniformity
10. A diluent, such as lactose, is often added to a capsule formulation when:
- The dose of the active ingredient is too large to fit in the capsule
- The dose of the active ingredient is very small and a bulking agent is needed
- The active ingredient is a liquid
- The patient is lactose intolerant
Answer: The dose of the active ingredient is very small and a bulking agent is needed
11. The “body” and “cap” are the two parts of which compounded dosage form?
- A troche
- A lollipop
- A hard gelatin capsule
- A powder packet
Answer: A hard gelatin capsule
12. A compounded troche provides a therapeutic advantage for drugs intended for:
- Rapid passage into the stomach
- Local action in the oral cavity or sublingual/buccal absorption
- Reconstitution into a liquid
- Application to the skin
Answer: Local action in the oral cavity or sublingual/buccal absorption
13. A PLO gel is a specialized dosage form often used for transdermal delivery. PLO stands for:
- Polyethylene Lecithin Ointment
- Poloxamer Lanolin Oil
- Pluronic Lecithin Organogel
- Powdered Liquid Ointment
Answer: Pluronic Lecithin Organogel
14. When compounding powder packets, the technique of __________ is critical for ensuring the active drug is evenly distributed.
- levigation
- trituration
- geometric dilution
- fusion
Answer: geometric dilution
15. A soft, chewable troche is often prepared using a base such as:
- Sucrose and syrup
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
- Gelatin or a gummy-like substance
- Hard wax
Answer: Gelatin or a gummy-like substance
16. One of the learning objectives of a compounding lab is to prepare various dosage forms. A troche is an example of what?
- A parenteral product
- A non-sterile solid dosage form
- A sterile ophthalmic solution
- An inhaled aerosol
Answer: A non-sterile solid dosage form
17. The primary reason for compounding different dosage forms like capsules and lollipops is to:
- Meet the unique needs of individual patients
- Make the most profitable products
- Use up expired ingredients from the pharmacy
- Avoid having to counsel the patient
Answer: Meet the unique needs of individual patients
18. What is a key counseling point for a patient using powder packets?
- The proper way to open the packet and mix the powder with a suitable liquid or food
- That the paper packet itself should be swallowed
- That the powder should be inhaled
- To store the packets in the bathroom medicine cabinet
Answer: The proper way to open the packet and mix the powder with a suitable liquid or food
19. A major source of error in capsule compounding that can lead to dose inaccuracy is:
- Inconsistent packing when using the punch method
- Using a capsule-filling machine
- Choosing the correct capsule size
- Cleaning the equipment before use
Answer: Inconsistent packing when using the punch method
20. A compounded gel for topical application offers the advantage of being:
- Greasy and occlusive
- Non-greasy and often having a cooling sensation
- Difficult to spread
- A solid dosage form
Answer: Non-greasy and often having a cooling sensation
21. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a common base used for making what type of troche?
- Hard troches
- Soft, melt-in-the-mouth troches
- Chewable troches
- Effervescent troches
Answer: Soft, melt-in-the-mouth troches
22. A pharmacist checks a newly compounded batch of capsules and notices they are sticky and have powder on the outside. This is a sign of:
- Excellent compounding technique
- Poor technique; the capsules should be clean and smooth
- A properly formulated product
- A desirable product characteristic
Answer: Poor technique; the capsules should be clean and smooth
23. Which of these dosage forms requires a mold for preparation?
- Powder packets
- Capsules filled by the punch method
- Troches and lollipops
- Topical gels
Answer: Troches and lollipops
24. The reading “Preparing for Compounding, Powders, Capsules, Others” is designed to provide what?
- Foundational knowledge for a hands-on lab session
- Information on sterile compounding exclusively
- A history of pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Legal advice on opening a pharmacy
Answer: Foundational knowledge for a hands-on lab session
25. A key difference between a troche and a lollipop is the:
- Presence of a stick for handling
- Use of a sugar base
- Route of administration
- Need for a prescription
Answer: Presence of a stick for handling
26. A quality control failure in compounded powder packets would be:
- Significant weight variation among the packets
- Uniform color and texture
- Each packet being correctly folded and labeled
- Use of an appropriate diluent
Answer: Significant weight variation among the packets
27. What is the primary route of absorption for a drug in a buccal troche?
- Gastric
- Transdermal
- Through the oral mucosa
- Small intestine
Answer: Through the oral mucosa
28. The final step before dispensing any compounded capsule or powder packet is:
- Performing accurate calculations
- Selecting the correct ingredients
- Visually inspecting and verifying the final product and its label
- Heating the product in an oven
Answer: Visually inspecting and verifying the final product and its label
29. A gelling agent like HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) is used to increase the ________ of a liquid to form a gel.
- acidity
- volume
- viscosity
- flavor
Answer: viscosity
30. Why is it important to know the “void space” or “dead space” in a capsule-filling machine?
- To ensure the capsules are not completely filled
- It is not an important factor
- To account for it in calculations to ensure accurate dosing
- To determine the color of the capsules
Answer: To account for it in calculations to ensure accurate dosing
31. The primary learning objective of a compounding lab session is to:
- Develop proficiency in the manipulative skills required to prepare dosage forms
- Memorize brand and generic drug names
- Learn how to manage pharmacy finances
- Practice patient counseling for commercial products
Answer: Develop proficiency in the manipulative skills required to prepare dosage forms
32. Which dosage form prepared in this session would be most suitable for a patient who needs a drug to act locally in the mouth?
- Capsules
- Powder packets
- Troches or Lollipops
- Gels for topical skin application
Answer: Troches or Lollipops
33. The use of a sieve in powder compounding is to:
- Ensure a uniform particle size distribution
- Weigh the powder accurately
- Mix the powder with a liquid
- Package the powder into papers
Answer: Ensure a uniform particle size distribution
34. A “glidant” or “lubricant” might be added to a powder mix before encapsulation to:
- Improve the flowability of the powder
- Add a specific flavor
- Act as the primary active ingredient
- Make the powder stick together
Answer: Improve the flowability of the powder
35. A prescription calls for “undivided” bulk powder. How would this be dispensed?
- In individually wrapped powder packets
- In a single container, from which the patient measures each dose
- As a series of filled capsules
- As a troche
Answer: In a single container, from which the patient measures each dose
36. The preparation of a lollipop requires heating a sugar base to the “hard crack” stage. This requires careful control of:
- Time
- Temperature
- Pressure
- Color
Answer: Temperature
37. When counseling on a compounded capsule, the pharmacist should inform the patient of its:
- Specific ingredients, purpose, and beyond-use date
- Commercial brand name equivalent
- Universal availability at all pharmacies
- Estimated street value
Answer: Specific ingredients, purpose, and beyond-use date
38. The hands-on preparation of dosage forms is a cornerstone of which course?
- A Professional Practice Skills Lab
- A pharmacy law course
- A pharmacokinetics course
- A literature evaluation course
Answer: A Professional Practice Skills Lab
39. A key reason for using a PEG (polyethylene glycol) base for a troche is that it:
- Is hard and brittle like a hard candy
- Is chewable and soft
- Dissolves slowly and has a pleasant, non-bitter taste
- Must be stored in the freezer
Answer: Dissolves slowly and has a pleasant, non-bitter taste
40. The main purpose of the “Preparing for Compounding” reading is to ensure that students:
- Can pass a history exam
- Understand the safety, documentation, and calculation steps necessary before starting a compound
- Know how to bill insurance for compounded products
- Can market their compounding services effectively
Answer: Understand the safety, documentation, and calculation steps necessary before starting a compound
41. Which of the following is NOT a solid dosage form?
- Capsule
- Powder Packet
- Troche
- Gel
Answer: Gel
42. The “punch” method is a manual technique used for filling:
- Vials with liquids
- Jars with creams
- Capsules with powder
- Molds with lollipops
Answer: Capsules with powder
43. A pharmacist is compounding a progesterone troche. The primary absorption route intended is likely:
- Gastric
- Transdermal
- Buccal or sublingual
- Small intestine
Answer: Buccal or sublingual
44. A compounding lab session that includes making capsules and powder packets focuses on the manipulation of what type of ingredient?
- Sterile liquids
- Dry powders
- Melted waxes
- Gaseous anesthetics
Answer: Dry powders
45. Before pouring a melted troche base into a mold, the mold should be:
- Heated to the same temperature as the base
- Cooled in a freezer to promote rapid solidification
- Properly calibrated and may require light lubrication
- Washed with a strong acid
Answer: Properly calibrated and may require light lubrication
46. Which factor is most critical for ensuring content uniformity in compounded capsules?
- The color of the gelatin shell
- Thorough and uniform mixing of the powder blend
- The pharmacist’s handwriting on the label
- The time of day the capsules are made
Answer: Thorough and uniform mixing of the powder blend
47. A “divided powder” is synonymous with a:
- Bulk powder
- Powder packet or powder paper
- Tablet triturate
- Effervescent powder
Answer: Powder packet or powder paper
48. Why is it important to wear a mask when compounding with fine powders?
- To prevent accidental inhalation of the powder
- To keep the pharmacist’s face warm
- To muffle the sound of the equipment
- It is not necessary if the powder is non-toxic
Answer: To prevent accidental inhalation of the powder
49. The skills learned in preparing various non-sterile dosage forms like troches and capsules are directly applicable to compounding for:
- Intravenous therapy
- Nuclear pharmacy
- Pediatric and geriatric patients who have trouble swallowing pills
- Commercial manufacturing
Answer: Pediatric and geriatric patients who have trouble swallowing pills
50. The successful completion of the Session 2 compounding lab demonstrates a student’s ability to:
- Manage a pharmacy budget
- Prepare and document a variety of solid and specialized non-sterile dosage forms according to standards
- Counsel patients on injectable medications
- Perform sterile aseptic technique
Answer: Prepare and document a variety of solid and specialized non-sterile dosage forms according to standards
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