Site selection, layout and design of community pharmacy MCQs With Answer

Introduction: Site selection, layout and design of community pharmacy MCQs With Answer is a focused question bank tailored for M.Pharm students studying Hospital & Community Pharmacy (MPP 103T). This resource emphasizes practical and regulatory aspects of locating a community pharmacy, optimizing workflow, ensuring patient safety, and meeting statutory requirements. Questions cover ergonomics, storage and dispensing areas, cold chain management, accessibility, security, waste disposal, and infection control—delivering both conceptual and applied scenarios. Each MCQ is crafted to challenge analytical thinking, reinforce best practices, and prepare advanced students for academic assessments and real-world pharmacy planning decisions.

Q1. What is the most important external factor to consider when selecting a site for a community pharmacy to ensure consistent patient access?

• Proximity to public transport and high patient footfall
• Availability of high-end retail stores nearby
• Presence of medical colleges only
• Low real estate cost irrespective of location

Correct Answer: Proximity to public transport and high patient footfall

Q2. Which internal layout principle most directly reduces medication dispensing errors by minimizing interruptions?

• Open-plan layout combining counseling and dispensing counters
• Separate, physically demarcated dispensing area with restricted access
• Placing high-value items on open shelving near the entrance
• Locating storage in public aisles for easy stock checks

Correct Answer: Separate, physically demarcated dispensing area with restricted access

Q3. For proper cold chain management in a community pharmacy, which practice is essential to maintain vaccine potency?

• Storing vaccines in a domestic freezer at -18°C
• Using a calibrated medical refrigerator with continuous temperature monitoring and alarm
• Keeping vaccines in a cool corner away from sunlight without monitoring
• Placing vaccines on top shelves to avoid customer access

Correct Answer: Using a calibrated medical refrigerator with continuous temperature monitoring and alarm

Q4. Which ergonomic design feature for dispensary counters improves pharmacist posture and efficiency during prolonged dispensing?

• Fixed-height counters set for a single staff member’s height
• Adjustable-height work counters with appropriate knee clearance
• Very high counters to prevent customers leaning on them
• Deep counters that require reaching across to access items

Correct Answer: Adjustable-height work counters with appropriate knee clearance

Q5. Which of the following layout decisions most enhances patient confidentiality during counseling?

• Placing the counseling area adjacent to busy aisles for visibility
• Providing a semi-private counseling booth or separate room
• Using a loudspeaker system to call patient names publicly
• Locating the counseling area behind the main cash register

Correct Answer: Providing a semi-private counseling booth or separate room

Q6. In community pharmacy design, what is the recommended minimum clearance aisle width to facilitate wheelchair access and restocking carts?

• 60 cm
• 90 cm
• 120 cm
• 200 cm

Correct Answer: 120 cm

Q7. When planning inventory storage, which shelving strategy best reduces product retrieval time and stock misplacement?

• Random placement with no labeling to allow flexible shelving
• Alphabetical arrangement for all medicinal products only
• Bin location system with clear labeling and logical product groupings
• Stacking by expiry date only on top of each other

Correct Answer: Bin location system with clear labeling and logical product groupings

Q8. Which security measure is most appropriate for preventing diversion of controlled substances in a community pharmacy?

• Keeping controlled drugs behind an unlocked shelf
• Secure lockable cabinets with restricted-key access and audit logs
• Placing controlled drugs in open display for staff convenience
• Using only verbal inventory checks at month-end

Correct Answer: Secure lockable cabinets with restricted-key access and audit logs

Q9. For effective natural and artificial lighting in a pharmacy, which consideration is most important to protect drug stability and readability?

• Maximize direct sunlight on storage shelves to save energy
• Use UV-filtered lighting and avoid direct sunlight on medicines
• Rely solely on dim ambient lighting for a calm environment
• Place fluorescent lights inside storage cupboards

Correct Answer: Use UV-filtered lighting and avoid direct sunlight on medicines

Q10. Which feature in pharmacy layout best supports an efficient one-way workflow from receipt to dispensing to sale?

• Circular workflow where receipt, storage, and sale areas overlap
• Linear design with separate receiving, storage, preparation/dispensing, and sales zones
• Intermittent storage within the customer area to reduce walking
• Multiple entrances and exits through the storage room

Correct Answer: Linear design with separate receiving, storage, preparation/dispensing, and sales zones

Q11. Which statutory consideration must be addressed when choosing a pharmacy site in many jurisdictions?

• Proximity to a competitor regardless of population density
• Compliance with local licensing distance and zoning regulations
• Ability to advertise on public billboards only
• Preference for locations with no pedestrian access

Correct Answer: Compliance with local licensing distance and zoning regulations

Q12. What drainage and waste design element is essential for safe disposal of pharmaceutical liquid waste in a community pharmacy?

• Direct disposal into sanitary sewers without pretreatment
• Collection in labeled containers and disposal via licensed hazardous waste contractor
• Pouring down the floor drain after dilution
• Mixing with general municipal solid waste

Correct Answer: Collection in labeled containers and disposal via licensed hazardous waste contractor

Q13. Which design choice most effectively minimizes the risk of cross-contamination between sterile and non-sterile products?

• Storing sterile preparations on the same open shelves as OTC cosmetics
• Designating and physically separating sterile compounding/preparation areas with controlled ventilation
• Keeping sterile products near the entrance for quick access
• Using shared dispensing surfaces for all product types without cleaning

Correct Answer: Designating and physically separating sterile compounding/preparation areas with controlled ventilation

Q14. Which signage practice promotes improved patient comprehension and minimizes dispensing errors?

• Using small, text-heavy signs with medical jargon
• Clear, multilingual signage with pictograms for key sections (e.g., prescription drop-off, counseling)
• Minimal signage to keep store aesthetics clean
• Only using digital scrolling ads for guidance

Correct Answer: Clear, multilingual signage with pictograms for key sections (e.g., prescription drop-off, counseling)

Q15. In planning a community pharmacy fire safety design, which provision is most critical for protecting inventory and people?

• Storage of flammable solvents near electrical panels
• Installing fire-resistant storage for hazardous materials and accessible fire extinguishers with staff training
• Blocking emergency exits to secure stock during opening hours
• Relying on neighboring buildings for fire protection

Correct Answer: Installing fire-resistant storage for hazardous materials and accessible fire extinguishers with staff training

Q16. Which factor is most important when designing refrigeration capacity for a pharmacy that dispenses vaccines, insulin and biologicals?

• Only having a small domestic refrigerator shared with staff food
• Appropriate medical-grade refrigerators with separate compartments and contingency backup power
• Storing all cold-chain items frozen to extend shelf-life
• Placing vaccines in coolers with ice packs for long-term storage

Correct Answer: Appropriate medical-grade refrigerators with separate compartments and contingency backup power

Q17. For inventory control in community pharmacy design, which technological integration best reduces stockouts and overstocking?

• Manual stock cards updated monthly
• Integrated pharmacy management system with automated stock level alerts and reorder points
• Relying solely on supplier reminders for replenishment
• Ordering fixed quantities regardless of consumption data

Correct Answer: Integrated pharmacy management system with automated stock level alerts and reorder points

Q18. Which patient safety design element reduces the risk of medication errors from look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) drugs?

• Placing LASA drugs adjacent on the same shelf
• Segregating LASA drugs, using tall man lettering on labels and distinct bin labeling
• Using handwritten labels to personalize packaging
• Keeping LASA drugs in unmarked boxes for quick access

Correct Answer: Segregating LASA drugs, using tall man lettering on labels and distinct bin labeling

Q19. Which ventilation and air quality practice is crucial in a community pharmacy to protect both staff and drug stability?

• Sealing the pharmacy with no fresh air exchange to save energy
• Providing adequate HVAC with filtration, controlled humidity and temperature monitoring
• Relying on natural ventilation only, regardless of external pollution
• Using scented air fresheners to mask chemical odors

Correct Answer: Providing adequate HVAC with filtration, controlled humidity and temperature monitoring

Q20. When designing a community pharmacy to support public health services (immunizations, screening), which layout consideration is most important?

• Allocating no additional space to clinical services to maximize retail area
• Incorporating a dedicated, private clinical area with seating, handwashing facilities and emergency equipment
• Conducting immunizations at the main sales counter to speed service
• Using outdoor sidewalks for clinical consultations

Correct Answer: Incorporating a dedicated, private clinical area with seating, handwashing facilities and emergency equipment

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