MMSE revision MCQ test Flashcards
What is the reason for the highest percentage of failures at the pre-clinical stage of drug development?
a. Bioavailability
b. Market potential
c. Toxicology
d. Efficacy
e. Formulation
c. Toxicology
How often do regulatory authorities such as the MHRA conduct GMP inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities?
a. every month
b. every 6 months
c. every 5 years
d. every year
e. every 2 years
e. every 2 years
Which of the following excipients may be used as an opacifying agent in the manufacture of of hard gelatin capsule shells?
a. ethyl cellulose
b. titanium dioxide
c. sodium lauryl sulfate
d. propylene glycol
e. polyethylene oxide
b. titanium dioxide
Note:
ethyl cellulose - coating agent, flavouring fixative, binder, filler, film-former, drug carrier or stabilizer
sodium lauryl sulfate - lubricant
propylene glycol - solvent, emulsifier, humectant and hygroscopic agent
polyethylene oxide - binder
Which of the following statements regarding soft gelatin capsules is FALSE?
a. The residual moisture content in soft gelatin capsule shells after drying is typically 5 - 8%
b. The shells are approximately 5 times thicker than those of hard gelatin capsules
c. They are generally regarded as being easier to swallow than tablets
d. Coated pellets may be filled directly into soft gelatin capsules to provide sustained drug release
e. Drug absorption may be improved by formulating as liquid-filled soft gelatin capsules
d. Coated pellets may be filled directly into soft gelatin capsules to provide sustained drug release
Surfactant may be described as amphipilic entities. The term ‘amphiphile’ refers to which of the following?
a, A molecule comprising of both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic region
b. A molecule that readily dissolves in an aqueous subphase
c. A molecule that will promote the spreading of a liquid phase
d. A molecule displaying an even charge distribution throughout
e. A molecule that always displays a positive and negative terminal
a, A molecule comprising of both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic region
The coalescence of dispersed globules and separation of the disperse phase as a separate layer, in an emulsion , which cannot be re-dispersed upon shaking is known as which of the following?
a. creaming
b. wet gum
c. emulsification
d. cracking
e. phase inversion
d. cracking
A drug is eliminated exclusively by excretion. The body load of the drug is 45mg. It is being excreted at a rate of 10mcg/min. What is the elimination rate constant?
a. 0.013 h-1
b. 0.22 h-1
c. 0.000013 h-1
d. 0.0045 h-1
e. 0.000022 h-1
a. 0.013 h-1
k= Rate of elimination / Body load (amount of drug in the body)
Rate of elimination = 10 µg/min = 0.01 mg/min
Body load = 45 mg
k= 0.01 / 45 = 2.22×10−4 min−1
k=2.22×10 −4 × 60min/hr = 0.0133h −1
A drug that occupies a single compartment is administered by i.v. bolus injection at time zero. Its initial concentration is 64 mcg/L. The drug’s half-life is 2.5 hours. At what time will its concentration decline to 1 mcg/L?
a. 20.0h
b. 17.5h
c. 12.5h
d. 6.0h
e. 15.0h
e. 15.0h
Which of the following statements regarding nasal drug delivery is FALSE?
a. A direct pathway exists between the olfactory region within the nasal cavity and the cerebrospinal fluid
b. Mucociliary clearance is a non-specific defensive function performed within the nasal cavity
c. A disadvantage associated with nasal delivery is the potential for the drug to undergo first-pass metabolism via the liver
d. It is possible to deliver vaccines via the nasal cavity as an alternative route to injections
e. Nasal administration may be used for both local and systemic drug delivery
c. A disadvantage associated with nasal delivery is the potential for the drug to undergo first-pass metabolism via the liver
Which of the following statements relating to transdermal drug delivery is FALSE?
a. The dermis layer is the main barrier to drug absorption across the skin
b. Drug absorption into the skin occurs by passive transport
c. Drugs across the skin barrier by the transcellular and paracellular route
d. Many chemical enhancers cause skin irritation
e. Oleic acid is a chemical enhancer which intercalates into the structure
a. The dermis layer is the main barrier to drug absorption across the skin
Which ONE of the following is an example of an ‘off-label’ use of a medicine?
a. opening a capsule and mixing the powder contents with orange juice
b. giving ampoules for intravenous use via the oral route
c. ordering an oral suspension from a ‘specials’ company
d. using tablets imported from the USA
e. preparing an extemporaneous formulation in liquid form
b. giving ampoules for intravenous use via the oral route
Which of the following statements CORRECTLY explains the reason for absence of preservatives from intrathecal injections?
a. The volume of injection is greater than 30 ml
b. The CNS is closed circulation system
c. The container and closure system is made of plastic
d. The CNS is a sensitive organ
e. The level of pathogens in the CNS is so low
d. The CNS is a sensitive organ
A medicinal product that fails to match the manufacturers specification due to accidental error in the manufacturing process is known as:
a. Counterfeit medicine
b. Falsified medicine
c. Extemporaneous medicine
d. Substandard medicine
e. Mislabelled medicine
d. Substandard medicine
Which of the following statements about the quality and safety of transdermal patches is INCORRECT?
a. Transdermal patches are particularly useful to maintain a constant plasma concentration of the drug
b. Flexibility and elasticity of the patch are important for minimal interference with patient’s activities
c. The rate of release of the drug from a transdermal patch cannot be controlled
d. The adhesive layer of a transdermal patch can contain the drug
e. The patient information leaflet must indicate clearly how often the patch should be replaced
c. The rate of release of the drug from a transdermal patch cannot be controlled
Which of the following statements about liquids is CORRECT?
a. An ideal solutions colligative properties depend on the number of solute molecules present
b. In a solution the solute can only be a solid
c. Solutions are a multi - phase system
d. Liquids are more compressible than gases
e. Suspensions are typically used to deliver drugs that have good aqueous solubility
a. An ideal solutions colligative properties depend on the number of solute molecules present
Which of the following modified release drug delivery devices may be used to target drug release in the small intestine?
a. Glycosidic bonded pro-drug
b. Enteric coated multiparticulates
c. Low density foams
d. Swellable hydrogels
e. Bioadhesive microparticles
b. Enteric coated multiparticulates
The initial weight of a sample of 20 tablets from a recently prepared batch is 6.60g and following 100 revolutions in a friability tester the weight of the same tablets is 6.50g. What is the % friability of the tablets?
a. 1.0%
b. 2.0%
c. 0.5%
d. 0.1%
e. 1.5%
e. 1.5%
Note:
% weight loss = ( W1 - W2 / W1 ) x 100
W1 = initial weight
W2 = final weight
Which of the following materials may be used as a disintegrate in a tablet formulation?
a. silicon dioxide
b. magnesium stearate
c. sodium starch glycolate
d. microcrystalline cellulose
e. dicalcium phosphate
c. sodium starch glycolate
Note:
silicon dioxide - glidant
magnesium stearate - lubricant
microcrystalline cellulose - diluent
dicalcium phosphate - binder
Which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding herbal medicines?
a. It is more difficult to receive an overdose of an active drug if it is present in a herbal medicine rather than as a pure medicine
b. Herbal medicines may contain a range of active principles acting together to produce a beneficial effect
c. Herbal extracts differ from conventional medicines in that they are complicated mixtures of many bioactive compounds
d. Herbal medicines have no side effects compared to conventional medicines
e. Certain compounds in herbal medicines may enhance the activity of the active principle
d. Herbal medicines have no side effects compared to conventional medicines
Which one of the following herbs is contraindicated in women using oral hormonal contraceptive?
a. Feverfew
b. Ephedra
c. St John’s wort
d. Ginkgo biloba
e. Ginseng
c. St John’s wart
