Topical compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications for the skin to meet the unique needs of individual patients. This practice, a key skill for pharmacists, is governed by strict quality standards outlined in United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter <795> to ensure product quality and patient safety. As covered in courses like Drug Delivery Systems and applied in the *Experiential Education* curriculum, “, pharmacists must be proficient in the techniques, calculations, and regulatory standards involved in creating these specialized preparations. This quiz will test your knowledge on the principles of non-sterile topical compounding.
1. Which USP General Chapter provides the primary standards for non-sterile compounding?
- a. USP <797>
- b. USP <800>
- c. USP <795>
- d. USP <71>
Answer: c. USP <795>
2. The process of grinding a powder in a mortar to reduce its particle size is known as:
- a. Levigation
- b. Spatulation
- c. Geometric dilution
- d. Trituration
Answer: d. Trituration
3. A pharmacist is incorporating a small amount of a gritty powder into an ointment base. To ensure a smooth final product, they should first wet the powder with a small amount of a suitable agent. This process is called:
- a. Levigation
- b. Titration
- c. Sublimation
- d. Geometric dilution
Answer: a. Levigation
4. When mixing a small amount of a potent drug powder with a large amount of an ointment base, which technique should be used to ensure uniform distribution?
- a. Tumbling
- b. Spatulation only
- c. Geometric dilution
- d. Direct addition
Answer: c. Geometric dilution
5. Which of the following topical dosage forms is an oleaginous (oily) base that is highly occlusive and best for very dry, scaly skin?
- a. Gel
- b. Cream
- c. Lotion
- d. Ointment
Answer: d. Ointment
6. Performing non-sterile compounding techniques according to USP <795> is a key objective in the experiential education curriculum.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
7. A cream is an emulsion that can be either oil-in-water (O/W) or water-in-oil (W/O). An O/W cream is:
- a. Greasier than an ointment.
- b. More occlusive than a W/O cream.
- c. Water-washable and less greasy.
- d. Anhydrous.
Answer: c. Water-washable and less greasy.
8. According to USP <795>, what is the maximum beyond-use date (BUD) for a compounded water-containing topical formulation (like a cream or lotion)?
- a. 14 days when stored at room temperature.
- b. 30 days.
- c. 6 months.
- d. 1 year.
Answer: b. 30 days.
9. According to USP <795>, what is the maximum beyond-use date (BUD) for a non-aqueous formulation (like an ointment made with petrolatum)?
- a. 14 days.
- b. 30 days.
- c. 6 months (or 25% of the time remaining on the API’s expiration date, whichever is earlier).
- d. 1 year.
Answer: c. 6 months (or 25% of the time remaining on the API’s expiration date, whichever is earlier).
10. A “Master Formulation Record” is:
- a. The specific record for a single prescription fill.
- b. The “recipe” that provides the ingredients and instructions for preparing a specific compound.
- c. The patient’s prescription.
- d. The logbook for equipment maintenance.
Answer: b. The “recipe” that provides the ingredients and instructions for preparing a specific compound.
11. The course on sterile compounding, which covers many foundational compounding principles, is a required part of the curriculum.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
12. A pharmacist needs to prepare a cream containing 2% hydrocortisone. The pharmacy has 1% and 2.5% hydrocortisone cream in stock. Which calculation method would be most useful to determine the amounts of each to mix?
- a. Alligation
- b. Henderson-Hasselbalch
- c. Cockcroft-Gault
- d. Fried’s Rule
Answer: a. Alligation
13. A paste is a type of topical formulation that contains a large percentage of:
- a. Water
- b. Oil
- c. Solid particles
- d. Alcohol
Answer: c. Solid particles
14. Which of the following is a key piece of equipment for topical compounding?
- a. A laminar airflow hood
- b. An autoclave
- c. An ointment slab or pad and spatulas
- d. A biological safety cabinet
Answer: c. An ointment slab or pad and spatulas
15. A pharmacist’s professional responsibility in compounding includes:
- a. Ensuring the final product is prepared accurately and safely.
- b. Counseling the patient on the proper use, storage, and disposal of the compound.
- c. Assigning an appropriate beyond-use date.
- d. All of the above.
Answer: d. All of the above.
16. The course on Drug Delivery Systems covers the formulation of semisolid dosage forms like creams and ointments.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
17. What is the purpose of a humectant (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol) in a topical formulation?
- a. To act as the active ingredient.
- b. To prevent the cream from drying out.
- c. To act as a preservative.
- d. To provide a pleasant color.
Answer: b. To prevent the cream from drying out.
18. When selecting a levigating agent, it should be:
- a. A volatile solvent.
- b. Miscible with the base and have a low surface tension.
- c. A different color than the active ingredient.
- d. A solid powder.
Answer: b. Miscible with the base and have a low surface tension.
19. For a powder that will be incorporated into an oleaginous base, what is a suitable levigating agent?
- a. Water
- b. Alcohol
- c. Mineral oil
- d. Propylene glycol
Answer: c. Mineral oil
20. The “Compounding Record” documents the specific ingredients, lot numbers, and personnel involved in preparing a single prescription.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
21. A topical gel is often preferred for application to which area of the body?
- a. Very dry, cracked skin.
- b. Hairy areas, like the scalp.
- c. The palms of the hands.
- d. A weeping, oozing lesion.
Answer: b. Hairy areas, like the scalp.
22. A key quality control check for a compounded suspension is:
- a. Its clarity.
- b. Its uniformity and the ability to be easily re-dispersed upon shaking.
- c. Its sterility.
- d. Its pH.
Answer: b. Its uniformity and the ability to be easily re-dispersed upon shaking.
23. The principles of compounding are applied in the IPPE courses.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
24. An active learning session on compounding is part of which course?
- a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
25. What is the minimum required personal protective equipment (PPE) for simple, non-sterile compounding?
- a. A full hazardous drug suit.
- b. Gloves and clean lab coat.
- c. Safety goggles only.
- d. No PPE is required.
Answer: b. Gloves and clean lab coat.
26. A pharmacist is asked to compound a topical cream containing an ingredient that is not stable in water. They should choose what kind of base?
- a. An oil-in-water emulsion base.
- b. An anhydrous or oleaginous base.
- c. A gel.
- d. A lotion.
Answer: b. An anhydrous or oleaginous base.
27. “Eutectic mixture” refers to a mixture of two solids that:
- a. Explodes upon contact.
- b. Becomes a liquid at room temperature when mixed together.
- c. Becomes a solid when mixed together.
- d. Are immiscible.
Answer: b. Becomes a liquid at room temperature when mixed together.
28. An active learning session on compounding is part of which course?
- a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
29. The primary reason for compounding a topical medication is to:
- a. Create a product to meet the unique needs of an individual patient.
- b. Make a copy of a commercially available product.
- c. Increase pharmacy profits.
- d. Avoid regulations.
Answer: a. Create a product to meet the unique needs of an individual patient.
30. The curriculum includes a dedicated course on Sterile Compounding.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
31. A pharmacist must verify what before beginning a compound?
- a. The calculations
- b. The identity of all ingredients by matching NDC or lot numbers.
- c. The stability of the final product.
- d. All of the above.
Answer: d. All of the above.
32. The term “occlusive” means the topical base:
- a. Is easily washed off.
- b. Forms a protective barrier that prevents moisture from escaping the skin.
- c. Is very drying.
- d. Absorbs water from the air.
Answer: b. Forms a protective barrier that prevents moisture from escaping the skin.
33. Which dosage form is the most occlusive?
- a. Gel
- b. Lotion
- c. Cream
- d. Ointment
Answer: d. Ointment
34. The objective to “Compound non-sterile preparations” is part of the HIPPE course.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
35. A pharmacist is mixing two creams of different strengths. This is a form of:
- a. Manufacturing
- b. Compounding
- c. Dispensing
- d. Prescribing
Answer: b. Compounding
36. Proper documentation of a compounded prescription is:
- a. Optional
- b. A legal and professional requirement.
- c. Only for sterile products.
- d. Only for controlled substances.
Answer: b. A legal and professional requirement.
37. Which of the following is NOT a part of the final quality check for a compounded ointment?
- a. Checking for visual uniformity and smoothness.
- b. Verifying the final weight.
- c. Checking for sterility.
- d. Ensuring the final product is labeled correctly.
Answer: c. Checking for sterility.
38. The “Drug Delivery Systems” course provides the scientific basis for formulating topical products.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
39. A pharmacist adds a preservative to a compounded aqueous cream to:
- a. Improve the taste.
- b. Inhibit microbial growth.
- c. Increase its potency.
- d. Make it more occlusive.
Answer: b. Inhibit microbial growth.
40. An active learning session covering compounding is part of which course?
- a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
41. The selection of a topical base depends on:
- a. The properties of the drug being incorporated.
- b. The condition of the skin being treated (e.g., dry vs. weeping).
- c. Patient preference.
- d. All of the above.
Answer: d. All of the above.
42. A “hydrophilic” base is one that:
- a. Repels water.
- b. Mixes well with water.
- c. Is oil-based.
- d. Is anhydrous.
Answer: b. Mixes well with water.
43. A key counseling point for any new topical compound is:
- a. How to properly apply it and how much to use.
- b. The potential for local skin irritation.
- c. The beyond-use date.
- d. All of the above.
Answer: d. All of the above.
44. USP <795> provides guidance to ensure that non-sterile compounded preparations are of:
- a. Good quality.
- b. The correct strength.
- c. Free from contamination.
- d. All of the above.
Answer: d. All of the above.
45. A pharmacist making a topical preparation for a single patient pursuant to a prescription is practicing:
- a. Manufacturing
- b. 503A Compounding
- c. 503B Compounding
- d. Drug wholesaling
Answer: b. 503A Compounding
46. A key part of managing a compounding practice is:
- a. Routine training and competency assessment of personnel.
- b. Regular maintenance and cleaning of equipment.
- c. Proper documentation.
- d. All of the above.
Answer: d. All of the above.
47. The IPPE curriculum requires students to perform basic compounding techniques.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
48. An active learning session on sterile compounding is part of which course?
- a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
49. The overall goal of topical compounding is to:
- a. Provide a patient with a customized medication to meet a specific need not met by a commercial product.
- b. Make cheaper versions of commercially available products.
- c. Avoid pharmacy laws.
- d. Create new drug molecules.
Answer: a. Provide a patient with a customized medication to meet a specific need not met by a commercial product.
50. The ultimate reason to learn about topical compounding is to:
- a. Be able to safely and accurately prepare high-quality customized medications.
- b. Pass the compounding lab exam.
- c. Memorize all the different ointment bases.
- d. Avoid working in a pharmacy that does compounding.
Answer: a. Be able to safely and accurately prepare high-quality customized medications.
