Simple and compound powders – official preparations MCQs With Answer

Simple and compound powders are essential official preparations in pharmaceutics, used as oral, topical and divided dosage forms. B. Pharm students should grasp their definitions, classification, formulation principles, comminution techniques, levigation, blending (geometric dilution), particle size control, flow and packing properties, stability, compatibility and pharmacopoeial standards. This introduction highlights excipient selection, moisture control, eutectic and hygroscopic behavior, analytical tests such as bulk/tapped density, Carr’s index, Hausner ratio and angle of repose, and packaging requirements. Emphasis on practical skills—sieving, trituration, granulation and proper labeling—prepares you for safe compounding and regulatory compliance. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What is the main distinction between a simple powder and a compound powder?

• A simple powder contains a single active ingredient, while a compound powder contains two or more active ingredients or additives
• A simple powder is always sterile, compound powder is non-sterile
• Simple powders are only topical, compound powders are only oral
• Simple powders are made without excipients, compound powders always contain excipients

Correct Answer: A simple powder contains a single active ingredient, while a compound powder contains two or more active ingredients or additives

Q2. Which official term refers to powders divided into separate doses often for oral administration?

• Bulk powders
• Divided powders (Chartulae)
• Dusting powders
• Granules

Correct Answer: Divided powders (Chartulae)

Q3. Which excipient is commonly used as a glidant to improve powder flow?

• Magnesium stearate
• Talc
• Lactose
• Sodium chloride

Correct Answer: Talc

Q4. Which property is measured by angle of repose?

• Solubility of the powder
• Flowability of the powder
• Hygroscopicity
• Compressibility

Correct Answer: Flowability of the powder

Q5. What is the primary aim of levigation during powder preparation?

• To sterilize powders
• To reduce particle size and wet triturate to a smooth paste using a levigating agent
• To increase hygroscopicity
• To remove volatile impurities

Correct Answer: To reduce particle size and wet triturate to a smooth paste using a levigating agent

Q6. Which of the following describes a eutectic mixture in powders?

• A mixture that shows improved flow compared to components
• A mixture of two substances that liquefy at their combined melting point lower than either alone
• A mixture that increases hygroscopicity without liquefaction
• A mixture that prevents chemical incompatibility

Correct Answer: A mixture of two substances that liquefy at their combined melting point lower than either alone

Q7. Which approach is recommended to prevent eutectic liquefaction in powders?

• Store at high humidity
• Use adsorbents like magnesium carbonate or kaolin
• Decrease particle size of both components
• Add more active ingredients

Correct Answer: Use adsorbents like magnesium carbonate or kaolin

Q8. Bulk density is defined as:

• Mass per unit true volume excluding pore space
• Mass per unit bulk volume including interparticulate voids
• Volume of powder per unit mass
• Mass per particle

Correct Answer: Mass per unit bulk volume including interparticulate voids

Q9. Tapped density is used with bulk density to calculate which indices?

• Refractive index and viscosity
• Carr’s index and Hausner ratio
• Melting point and boiling point
• Partition coefficient and pKa

Correct Answer: Carr’s index and Hausner ratio

Q10. A powder with Carr’s index above 25% typically indicates what?

• Excellent flowability
• Poor flowability and potential for compression problems
• High solubility
• Low hygroscopicity

Correct Answer: Poor flowability and potential for compression problems

Q11. Which method describes size reduction by using a solvent that is later evaporated—pulverization by intervention?

• Trituration without solvent
• Pulverization by intervention
• Granulation
• Sublimation

Correct Answer: Pulverization by intervention

Q12. Geometric dilution is principally applied when:

• Mixing equal masses only
• Blending a small amount of potent drug uniformly with a large diluent
• Drying powders in an oven
• Separating impurities by sieving

Correct Answer: Blending a small amount of potent drug uniformly with a large diluent

Q13. Which powder is defined as a preparation intended for topical application to skin or mucous membranes to prevent or relieve irritation?

• Divided powders
• Dusting powders
• Effervescent powders
• Oral powders

Correct Answer: Dusting powders

Q14. Efflorescent powders are those that:

• Absorb moisture from atmosphere and liquefy
• Contain bound water that is released on standing or drying
• Resist moisture uptake
• Auto-oxidize rapidly

Correct Answer: Contain bound water that is released on standing or drying

Q15. Deliquescent substances in powders:

• Lose water on exposure
• Sublimate at room temperature
• Take up moisture and may liquefy
• Undergo polymerization

Correct Answer: Take up moisture and may liquefy

Q16. Which sieve parameter is most relevant for particle size control in powder preparation?

• Sieve aperture size (mesh size)
• Sieve color
• Sieve thickness
• Sieve handle length

Correct Answer: Sieve aperture size (mesh size)

Q17. Which comminution equipment is most suitable for reducing particle size of hard, brittle solids on a laboratory scale?

• Mortar and pestle
• Cone blender
• Ball mill
• Tablet press

Correct Answer: Ball mill

Q18. Which test provides a quick visual index of a powder’s flow by measuring the decrease in volume after tapping?

• Angle of repose
• Tapped density measurement
• Melting point
• pH determination

Correct Answer: Tapped density measurement

Q19. A Hausner ratio greater than 1.25 generally indicates:

• Good flow
• Very low density
• Poor flow and higher cohesiveness
• High solubility

Correct Answer: Poor flow and higher cohesiveness

Q20. Which levigating agent is suitable for preparing ointment-like pastes of hydrophobic powders?

• Glycerin
• Propylene glycol
• Mineral oil
• Water

Correct Answer: Mineral oil

Q21. Which practice helps reduce dust generation and improve safety during powder compounding?

• Working in open air without protection
• Using dustless mortars, enclosures and local exhaust ventilation
• Using high-speed trituration without containment
• Heating powders to dryness in open containers

Correct Answer: Using dustless mortars, enclosures and local exhaust ventilation

Q22. Which excipient functions as a diluent and is commonly used in powdered formulations for oral use?

• Talc
• Lactose
• Magnesium carbonate for eutectics only
• Kaolin exclusively for topical use

Correct Answer: Lactose

Q23. Which analytical test is useful for detecting moisture uptake tendency of a powder?

• Loss on drying (LOD)
• Melting point determination
• Refractive index
• Partition coefficient

Correct Answer: Loss on drying (LOD)

Q24. When blending powders with markedly different particle sizes and densities, which technique improves uniformity?

• Simple dumping together
• Use of a tumbling blender and geometric dilution
• Heating to fuse particles
• Adding volatile solvent

Correct Answer: Use of a tumbling blender and geometric dilution

Q25. Which powder characteristic most directly affects dissolution rate of an oral powder?

• Color
• Particle size and surface area
• Packaging design only
• Odor

Correct Answer: Particle size and surface area

Q26. Which powder type is formulated to release carbon dioxide when dissolved in water for effervescent action?

• Dusting powders
• Divided powders
• Effervescent powders
• Insufflations

Correct Answer: Effervescent powders

Q27. Which condition is least favorable for storage of hygroscopic powders?

• Low humidity, desiccated container
• High humidity and porous packaging
• Air-tight, moisture-proof containers
• Cool temperature and dry place

Correct Answer: High humidity and porous packaging

Q28. Which of the following is an official powder listed in many pharmacopeias historically used as an emetic?

• Ipecacuanha powder
• Talcum powder
• Calamine powder
• Magnesium stearate powder

Correct Answer: Ipecacuanha powder

Q29. What is the primary reason to granulate powders when preparing tableting blends?

• To make the blend more colorful
• To improve flowability and compressibility
• To increase hygroscopicity
• To reduce active ingredient potency

Correct Answer: To improve flowability and compressibility

Q30. Which regulatory consideration is essential when preparing official powder preparations in a pharmacy or industry?

• Ignoring pharmacopoeial monographs
• Adhering to pharmacopoeial specifications, labeling, stability and quality control tests
• Using non-standardized excipients without documentation
• Skipping record-keeping for compounding steps

Correct Answer: Adhering to pharmacopoeial specifications, labeling, stability and quality control tests

Download