Types of parenteral products MCQs With Answer

Introduction:
Understanding types of parenteral products is essential for B.Pharm students preparing for clinical, regulatory, and manufacturing roles. This guide covers classifications such as small volume parenterals (SVP), large volume parenterals (LVP), sterile powders for injection, emulsions, suspensions, depot formulations, and implants. Key concepts include aseptic processing, sterilization methods (filtration, autoclaving, dry heat), pyrogen control, container-closure systems (vials, ampoules, prefilled syringes), preservatives, and compatibility issues. Mastery of formulation, stability, administration routes (IV, IM, SC), and quality control tests is critical for safe parenteral therapy. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which of the following is considered a large volume parenteral?

• 50 mL dextrose solution
• 1000 mL normal saline
• 2 mL vaccine
• 10 mL antibiotic vial

Correct Answer: 1000 mL normal saline

Q2. Small volume parenterals (SVPs) are generally defined as parenteral products with a volume:

• Less than 100 mL
• Less than 1 mL
• Less than 10 mL
• No volume limit

Correct Answer: Less than 100 mL

Q3. Which of the following administration routes is NOT classified as parenteral?

• Intravenous (IV)
• Intramuscular (IM)
• Subcutaneous (SC)
• Oral

Correct Answer: Oral

Q4. Lyophilization (freeze-drying) of an injectable formulation is primarily used to:

• Improve stability of heat-sensitive or hydrolytically labile drugs
• Increase solution viscosity for IV infusion
• Facilitate oral administration
• Remove the need for sterile manufacturing

Correct Answer: Improve stability of heat-sensitive or hydrolytically labile drugs

Q5. Which sterilization method is most suitable for heat-sensitive parenteral solutions?

• Autoclaving (moist heat)
• Dry heat sterilization
• Membrane filtration (0.22 µm)
• Boiling

Correct Answer: Membrane filtration (0.22 µm)

Q6. Pyrogens in parenteral products are mainly:

• Endotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria
• Sterilizing gases used during processing
• Particulate glass fragments
• Preservative residues

Correct Answer: Endotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria

Q7. Which type of glass is preferred for parenteral containers due to chemical resistance?

• Borosilicate glass (Type I)
• Soda-lime glass
• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• Soft glass (Type III)

Correct Answer: Borosilicate glass (Type I)

Q8. A common antimicrobial preservative used in many multi-dose parenteral vials is:

• Benzyl alcohol
• Sodium chloride
• Water for injection
• Glucose

Correct Answer: Benzyl alcohol

Q9. One major advantage of prefilled syringes for parenteral administration is:

• Reduced medication preparation errors and improved dose accuracy
• Higher risk of contamination compared to bulk vials
• They always provide longer chemical stability than vials
• They require reconstitution before use

Correct Answer: Reduced medication preparation errors and improved dose accuracy

Q10. Lipid emulsions used as parenteral products are mainly employed for:

• Parenteral nutrition (caloric supply)
• Topical wound irrigation
• Oral vitamin supplements
• Aerosol inhalation therapy

Correct Answer: Parenteral nutrition (caloric supply)

Q11. The particulate matter test for parenterals primarily detects:

• Visible and subvisible particles that may cause emboli or irritation
• Bacterial contamination
• Endotoxin levels
• pH deviations

Correct Answer: Visible and subvisible particles that may cause emboli or irritation

Q12. The preferred in vitro test for detecting bacterial endotoxins in parenteral products is:

• Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test
• Standard plate count
• Sterility test
• Visual inspection

Correct Answer: Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test

Q13. A common validated condition for steam sterilization (autoclaving) of parenteral equipment is:

• 121°C at 15 psi for 15–20 minutes
• 100°C for 5 minutes
• 60°C for 24 hours
• 250°C for 30 minutes

Correct Answer: 121°C at 15 psi for 15–20 minutes

Q14. Which drug is known to adsorb to PVC infusion tubing, causing dosing loss?

• Nitroglycerin
• Gentamicin
• Heparin
• Paracetamol

Correct Answer: Nitroglycerin

Q15. For sterility testing of parenteral products, thioglycollate medium is used primarily to detect:

• Anaerobic bacteria
• Fungal contaminants
• Viral particles
• Endotoxins

Correct Answer: Anaerobic bacteria

Q16. An advantage of ampoules over multi-dose vials is that ampoules:

• Are single-dose and do not require preservatives
• Allow multiple entries with a needle without contamination risk
• Contain preservatives to extend shelf life after opening
• Are always made of plastic

Correct Answer: Are single-dose and do not require preservatives

Q17. Depyrogenation of glassware and containers is commonly achieved by which method?

• Dry heat at elevated temperatures (e.g., 250°C for specified time)
• Autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes
• Filtration through 0.45 µm membrane
• Storage at room temperature for 24 hours

Correct Answer: Dry heat at elevated temperatures (e.g., 250°C for specified time)

Q18. The approximate osmolarity target for isotonic parenteral solutions is closest to:

• 300 mOsm/L
• 50 mOsm/L
• 1500 mOsm/L
• 10,000 mOsm/L

Correct Answer: 300 mOsm/L

Q19. Injectable suspensions used as depot formulations are typically administered by which route?

• Intramuscular (IM)
• Topical
• Oral
• Nasal

Correct Answer: Intramuscular (IM)

Q20. Which preservative is associated with “gasping syndrome” in neonates and should be avoided?

• Benzyl alcohol
• Sodium chloride
• Chloride ions
• Glucose

Correct Answer: Benzyl alcohol

Q21. What pore size membrane filter is typically used to sterilize aqueous parenteral solutions by filtration?

• 0.22 µm
• 0.45 µm
• 1.2 µm
• 5.0 µm

Correct Answer: 0.22 µm

Q22. Which quality control test directly demonstrates the absence of viable microorganisms in a parenteral batch?

• Sterility test
• Assay of active ingredient
• Endotoxin test
• pH measurement

Correct Answer: Sterility test

Q23. One major benefit of lyophilized parenteral products versus liquid formulations is:

• Improved long-term stability for labile drugs
• Lower manufacturing costs in all cases
• Removal of need for sterile handling
• Increased risk of microbial growth

Correct Answer: Improved long-term stability for labile drugs

Q24. Multi-dose parenteral vials typically contain a preservative to:

• Prevent microbial growth after repeated punctures
• Enhance drug potency
• Increase viscosity for IM injection
• Make the vial translucent

Correct Answer: Prevent microbial growth after repeated punctures

Q25. Which of the following is an example of a depot parenteral product?

• Oil-based steroid injected intramuscularly for sustained release
• Rapid IV bolus of saline
• Nasal spray for local action
• Topical ointment

Correct Answer: Oil-based steroid injected intramuscularly for sustained release

Q26. Which factors most strongly influence the chemical stability of an injectable solution?

• pH, temperature, and light exposure
• Color of the packaging only
• Manufacturer’s logo
• Label font size

Correct Answer: pH, temperature, and light exposure

Q27. An advantage of glass containers for parenteral products is that glass is:

• Chemically inert with low permeability for most drugs
• Highly permeable to gases and leachable plastics
• Always flexible for transportation
• Made with preservatives embedded in the walls

Correct Answer: Chemically inert with low permeability for most drugs

Q28. Which parenteral route provides the most rapid onset of action?

• Intravenous (IV) bolus
• Intramuscular (IM)
• Subcutaneous (SC)
• Topical

Correct Answer: Intravenous (IV) bolus

Q29. Which surfactant/emulsifier is generally unsuitable for parenteral emulsions due to toxicity?

• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Soy lecithin
• Polysorbate 80
• Phospholipids used in IV lipid emulsions

Correct Answer: Sodium lauryl sulfate

Q30. The test commonly used to quantify subvisible particles in parenteral solutions is:

• Light obscuration particle count
• pH titration
• Visual color comparison
• Thin-layer chromatography

Correct Answer: Light obscuration particle count

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com