Size of capsules MCQs With Answer

Size of capsules MCQs With Answer

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Students in B.Pharm need clear understanding of capsule sizes, capacities and their practical implications. This set of Size of capsules MCQs With Answer covers capsule numbering (000–5), approximate capsule volumes and how bulk density affects fill weight, selection between gelatin and HPMC shells, and calculation of dose per capsule. It also addresses excipient effects, moisture sensitivity, encapsulation equipment limits, weight variation and patient compliance considerations for pediatric and geriatric dosing. Questions combine theory, calculations and quality control topics to deepen formulation and packaging skills essential for pharmacists and formulation scientists. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which capsule size is the largest among standard hard gelatin capsule sizes?

  • Size 000
  • Size 00
  • Size 0
  • Size 5

Correct Answer: Size 000

Q2. Which capsule size is the smallest among standard hard gelatin capsule sizes?

  • Size 1
  • Size 3
  • Size 4
  • Size 5

Correct Answer: Size 5

Q3. Approximately what is the internal volume of a size 0 hard gelatin capsule?

  • 0.13 mL
  • 0.68 mL
  • 1.37 mL
  • 0.95 mL

Correct Answer: 0.68 mL

Q4. If a powder has bulk density 0.6 g/mL and a capsule volume is 0.68 mL, what is the approximate fill weight in mg?

  • 408 mg
  • 68 mg
  • 680 mg
  • 600 mg

Correct Answer: 408 mg

Q5. Which property of a powder most directly determines the capsule size needed for a target dose?

  • Melting point
  • Bulk density
  • Color
  • Particle shape alone

Correct Answer: Bulk density

Q6. Which capsule shell material is commonly used as a vegetarian alternative to gelatin?

  • Gelatin type B
  • HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose)
  • Collagen
  • Starch gelatin

Correct Answer: HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose)

Q7. Which of the following best describes the relationship between capsule volume and weight of powder filled?

  • Fill weight = capsule volume × powder bulk density
  • Fill weight = capsule volume + powder bulk density
  • Fill weight = capsule volume / powder bulk density
  • Fill weight is independent of volume

Correct Answer: Fill weight = capsule volume × powder bulk density

Q8. A formulation requires 300 mg of active per capsule. Which approach is most appropriate when the active bulk density is very low so required fill volume exceeds available capsule sizes?

  • Use a larger capsule size or increase bulk density by adding diluent
  • Decrease dose regardless of efficacy
  • Make the capsule smaller to improve swallowing
  • Leave the active powder uncompressed in the bottle

Correct Answer: Use a larger capsule size or increase bulk density by adding diluent

Q9. Which factor during manufacturing most commonly causes weight variation between filled capsules?

  • Inconsistent powder flow into dosing wells
  • Capsule color variability
  • Ambient light intensity
  • Tablet embossing

Correct Answer: Inconsistent powder flow into dosing wells

Q10. The orientation of a hard capsule consists of a cap and a body. Which part is typically shorter and fits over the other?

  • Body is shorter and fits over cap
  • Cap is shorter and fits over body
  • Both are equal and do not fit over each other
  • Neither; they are threaded together

Correct Answer: Cap is shorter and fits over body

Q11. Which excipient is commonly used to increase the bulk density of a low-density active to reduce capsule size?

  • Microcrystalline cellulose
  • Hydrochloric acid
  • Polyethylene glycol 400
  • Magnesium stearate at very high level

Correct Answer: Microcrystalline cellulose

Q12. For filled hard capsules, moisture content of gelatin shells mainly affects which property?

  • Electrical conductivity only
  • Mechanical strength and brittleness
  • API molecular structure
  • Capsule color exclusively

Correct Answer: Mechanical strength and brittleness

Q13. Which test is most relevant to ensure capsules will release drug appropriately in vivo?

  • Disintegration and dissolution testing
  • Hardness tester for tablets
  • pH measurement of the capsule shell
  • Visual color matching

Correct Answer: Disintegration and dissolution testing

Q14. When the active ingredient is sticky and causes bridging during encapsulation, which processing change helps reduce sticking?

  • Increase humidity in the filling room
  • Add a glidant like colloidal silicon dioxide or reduce humidity
  • Use smaller capsule size
  • Reduce mixing time only

Correct Answer: Add a glidant like colloidal silicon dioxide or reduce humidity

Q15. Which capsule size roughly corresponds to an internal volume of about 0.37 mL?

  • Size 2
  • Size 1
  • Size 00
  • Size 5

Correct Answer: Size 2

Q16. For a unit dose requiring 250 mg of powder and bulk density 0.8 g/mL, which capsule size (approximate volumes: size 1 = 0.50 mL, size 2 = 0.37 mL) is appropriate without diluent?

  • Size 2 (0.37 mL) because 0.37 × 0.8 = 296 mg, adequate
  • Size 1 (0.50 mL) because 0.50 × 0.8 = 400 mg, required
  • Neither; capsule volumes are irrelevant
  • Use size 5 to save material

Correct Answer: Size 2 (0.37 mL) because 0.37 × 0.8 = 296 mg, adequate

Q17. Which sealing method is used to prevent tampering or leakage in hard gelatin capsules?

  • Banding or heat sealing
  • Embedding metal foil inside the shell
  • Color polishing only
  • Using a smaller cap

Correct Answer: Banding or heat sealing

Q18. When replacing gelatin with HPMC shells, which property is most likely to change?

  • Capsule transparency and moisture sensitivity characteristics
  • The API chemical structure
  • Unit dose potency of the drug
  • Capsule size numbering system

Correct Answer: Capsule transparency and moisture sensitivity characteristics

Q19. Which parameter should be calculated to convert required dose (mg) into necessary capsule volume when bulk density is known?

  • Required volume = dose (mg) / bulk density (mg/mL)
  • Required volume = dose × bulk density
  • Required volume = bulk density / dose
  • Volume cannot be calculated from density

Correct Answer: Required volume = dose (mg) / bulk density (mg/mL)

Q20. Which problem occurs if capsules are stored at very low relative humidity causing excessive drying of gelatin shells?

  • Capsules become gummy and stick together
  • Capsules become brittle and may crack
  • APIs become more soluble
  • Capsule size numbering changes

Correct Answer: Capsules become brittle and may crack

Q21. In quality control of filled capsules, which test evaluates uniformity of active ingredient among a sample?

  • Content uniformity test
  • Friability test
  • Loss on drying of shell only
  • Color fastness test

Correct Answer: Content uniformity test

Q22. Which formulation strategy reduces fill volume without changing active dose?

  • Use a lower-density diluent
  • Melt the active into a gelatine shell
  • Increase bulk density with high-density diluents or compress into tablets then encapsulate
  • Remove the cap of the capsule

Correct Answer: Increase bulk density with high-density diluents or compress into tablets then encapsulate

Q23. For high-speed capsule filling machines, which property of the powder blend is most critical to maintain consistent fill weights?

  • Good and reproducible flowability
  • Low color variability
  • High hygroscopicity
  • Very fine particle size only

Correct Answer: Good and reproducible flowability

Q24. How does particle size reduction typically affect capsule fill and dissolution?

  • Smaller particles often improve blend uniformity and dissolution but may reduce flow
  • Smaller particles always increase flowability
  • Particle size has no effect on dissolution
  • Larger particles always increase dissolution rate

Correct Answer: Smaller particles often improve blend uniformity and dissolution but may reduce flow

Q25. Which capsule size has an approximate internal volume of 0.95 mL?

  • Size 00
  • Size 3
  • Size 4
  • Size 5

Correct Answer: Size 00

Q26. A B.Pharm student calculating fill weight uses powder bulk density in g/mL. To get fill weight in mg for a capsule volume of 0.37 mL, what multiplication is required?

  • 0.37 × bulk density (g/mL) × 1000
  • 0.37 + bulk density × 1000
  • bulk density / 0.37
  • 0.37 − bulk density

Correct Answer: 0.37 × bulk density (g/mL) × 1000

Q27. Which capsule shell property can interact with moisture-sensitive APIs and require protective strategies?

  • Gelatin’s hygroscopic nature
  • Color pigment only
  • Shell flavoring
  • Cap length only

Correct Answer: Gelatin’s hygroscopic nature

Q28. When designing a pediatric formulation requiring small swallowable dosage, which consideration is most important?

  • Use smallest feasible capsule size and consider taste-masking or alternate forms
  • Always use largest capsule to avoid dosing errors
  • Ignore bulk density and focus on color
  • Reduce active dose without bioequivalence studies

Correct Answer: Use smallest feasible capsule size and consider taste-masking or alternate forms

Q29. What is a common advantage of hard gelatin capsules over tablets for certain formulations?

  • They are always cheaper to produce
  • They can accommodate powders, pellets, or multiple unit dosage forms and avoid compression stress
  • They eliminate need for dissolution testing
  • They have no moisture sensitivity

Correct Answer: They can accommodate powders, pellets, or multiple unit dosage forms and avoid compression stress

Q30. Which approach helps ensure reproducible capsule filling when blends are poorly flowing?

  • Increase static electricity only
  • Improve formulation (loadable diluents, glidants), modify particle size, or use suitable capsule filling equipment
  • Use smaller capsule size to force powder in
  • Reduce sampling during QC

Correct Answer: Improve formulation (loadable diluents, glidants), modify particle size, or use suitable capsule filling equipment

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