Simple powders and compound powders (official) MCQs With Answer

Introduction: Simple powders and compound powders (official) form a core part of pharmaceutics in B. Pharm, covering formulation principles, pharmacopoeial standards, and quality control. This topic spans divided powders (chartulae) and bulk powders, geometric dilution, comminution (trituration), sifting/sieve analysis, handling of hygroscopic, deliquescent, efflorescent, and eutectic substances, and packaging/labeling requirements. Students must understand flow properties (angle of repose, bulk/tapped density, Carr’s index, Hausner ratio), particle size control, and official tests such as uniformity of mass and microbial limits. Practical skills include selection of adsorbents, glidants, and containers for internal and external powders, as well as reconstitution instructions for powders for oral solution. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What best defines a simple powder in pharmaceutics?

• A powder containing a single active ingredient with or without diluent
• A powder containing multiple active ingredients only
• A sterile powder for injection
• A powder intended only for external use

Correct Answer: A powder containing a single active ingredient with or without diluent

Q2. What best defines a compound powder (official)?

• A powder containing two or more active ingredients with or without excipients
• A powder containing a single active ingredient only
• A granulated preparation intended for tablets
• A capsule formulation containing powders

Correct Answer: A powder containing two or more active ingredients with or without excipients

Q3. Divided powders (chartulae) are best described as:

• Individually wrapped, single-dose powder packets
• Bulk powders dispensed in wide-mouthed containers
• Compressed powders for parenteral use
• Pastes for topical application

Correct Answer: Individually wrapped, single-dose powder packets

Q4. Bulk powders for internal use are most appropriate for:

• Antacids and laxatives that are dosed by teaspoon
• Potent hormones requiring accurate dosing
• Parenteral sterile products
• Radiopharmaceuticals

Correct Answer: Antacids and laxatives that are dosed by teaspoon

Q5. The primary purpose of geometric dilution in powder mixing is to:

• Achieve uniform mixing of a potent drug with diluent
• Reduce particle size by impact
• Improve dissolution by wetting
• Prevent microbial growth

Correct Answer: Achieve uniform mixing of a potent drug with diluent

Q6. The most common comminution method used in pharmacy practice is:

• Trituration in a mortar and pestle
• Fluid energy milling
• Lyophilization
• Spray drying

Correct Answer: Trituration in a mortar and pestle

Q7. The preferred technique to handle eutectic mixtures (e.g., camphor and menthol) is to:

• Mix each with an adsorbent separately, then combine
• Add water and evaporate
• Heat gently to fuse then cool
• Store them together in a sealed pouch without any excipient

Correct Answer: Mix each with an adsorbent separately, then combine

Q8. Deliquescent powders are best packaged by:

• Packing in airtight containers with desiccant
• Leaving them in paper envelopes
• Mixing with glycerin
• Exposing to air to harden

Correct Answer: Packing in airtight containers with desiccant

Q9. Efflorescent substances are those that:

• Lose water of crystallization on exposure to air
• Absorb moisture and liquefy
• Sublime at room temperature
• Are insoluble in water

Correct Answer: Lose water of crystallization on exposure to air

Q10. Which statement correctly differentiates hygroscopic and deliquescent powders?

• Hygroscopic powders absorb moisture without dissolving; deliquescent powders dissolve by absorbed moisture
• Both terms mean exactly the same
• Deliquescent powders never liquefy
• Hygroscopic powders always liquefy completely

Correct Answer: Hygroscopic powders absorb moisture without dissolving; deliquescent powders dissolve by absorbed moisture

Q11. A key pharmacopoeial quality test for divided powders is:

• Uniformity of mass of doses
• Sterility test
• Pyrogen test
• Disintegration test

Correct Answer: Uniformity of mass of doses

Q12. Regarding standard sieves, which statement is true?

• A higher sieve number corresponds to smaller aperture size
• A higher sieve number corresponds to larger aperture size
• Sieve number and aperture size are unrelated
• All sieves have the same aperture

Correct Answer: A higher sieve number corresponds to smaller aperture size

Q13. The angle of repose primarily indicates a powder’s:

• Flowability of powders
• Solubility
• Compressibility only
• Stability against oxidation

Correct Answer: Flowability of powders

Q14. A Carr’s index of about 10–15% generally suggests:

• Good flowability
• Very poor flowability
• Explosive hazard
• High hygroscopicity

Correct Answer: Good flowability

Q15. Which is an ideal requirement for dusting powders?

• Fine, free from grittiness, good adherence
• High density and large crystals
• Sterility must be ensured in all cases
• High oil content

Correct Answer: Fine, free from grittiness, good adherence

Q16. A commonly used glidant to improve powder flow is:

• Colloidal silicon dioxide
• Magnesium hydroxide
• Starch paste
• Propylene glycol

Correct Answer: Colloidal silicon dioxide

Q17. Triturations (e.g., 1:10 dilutions) are prepared mainly to:

• Facilitate accurate weighing and mixing of potent drugs
• Increase sweetness
• Neutralize acidity
• Produce sustained release

Correct Answer: Facilitate accurate weighing and mixing of potent drugs

Q18. The label of a topical dusting powder should include:

• For external use only
• For intravenous use
• Shake well before use
• Refrigerate only

Correct Answer: For external use only

Q19. Which is NOT typically an advantage of powders as a dosage form?

• Taste masking is superior to coated tablets
• Flexibility of dose adjustment
• Rapid dispersion and onset compared to tablets
• Good stability of dry solids versus solutions

Correct Answer: Taste masking is superior to coated tablets

Q20. Which statement about bulk powders is correct?

• They rely on the patient to measure each dose
• They provide the most accurate dosing for potent drugs
• They must always be sterile
• They cannot be flavored

Correct Answer: They rely on the patient to measure each dose

Q21. Sifting during powder preparation is primarily intended to:

• Break lumps and achieve uniform particle size distribution
• Increase chemical stability
• Remove volatile components
• Sterilize the powder

Correct Answer: Break lumps and achieve uniform particle size distribution

Q22. Powders for oral solution (e.g., oral rehydration salts) are usually:

• Supplied as dry powders to be reconstituted with a specified volume of water
• Ready-to-drink solutions
• Parenteral powders
• Ointments

Correct Answer: Supplied as dry powders to be reconstituted with a specified volume of water

Q23. To minimize loss of volatile substances in powders, use:

• Double-wrapping with waxed/glassine inner and bond paper outer
• Keeping the container open to ventilate
• Adding excess water
• Avoiding any adsorbents

Correct Answer: Double-wrapping with waxed/glassine inner and bond paper outer

Q24. The most appropriate container for a bulk internal powder is a:

• Wide-mouthed, amber, airtight container
• Ampoule
• Collapsible metal tube
• Clear, open-top beaker

Correct Answer: Wide-mouthed, amber, airtight container

Q25. For topical powders, the microbiological quality generally requires:

• Must comply with microbial limits; sterility only if specified
• Always required to be sterile
• Not subject to any microbiological control
• Must contain preservatives above 2%

Correct Answer: Must comply with microbial limits; sterility only if specified

Q26. Bulk density and tapped density are correctly described as:

• Bulk density is measured after free pouring; tapped density after standardized tapping
• Both are measured after tapping
• Both are measured before tapping
• Bulk density requires a helium pycnometer

Correct Answer: Bulk density is measured after free pouring; tapped density after standardized tapping

Q27. The pharmacopoeial Latin term for powder is:

• Pulvis
• Elixir
• Unguentum
• Emplastrum

Correct Answer: Pulvis

Q28. For Uniformity of Mass testing of divided powders, a typical sample size is:

• 20 units
• 5 units
• 2 units
• 100 units

Correct Answer: 20 units

Q29. The main reason to use a geometric dilution sequence in powder mixing is to:

• To minimize segregation and ensure homogeneity when components differ greatly in dose
• To reduce hygroscopicity
• To improve palatability
• To sterilize the mixture

Correct Answer: To minimize segregation and ensure homogeneity when components differ greatly in dose

Q30. The approximate aperture size of a No. 60 sieve is:

• 250 micrometers
• 150 micrometers
• 425 micrometers
• 75 micrometers

Correct Answer: 250 micrometers

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