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Mongolia Pharmacy Technician Licensing Exam study materials
Mongolia Pharmacy Technician Licensing Exam study resources

Mongolia Pharmacy Technician Licensing Exam practice questions

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Question 1Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

Under Mongolian pharmaceutical regulation, which body issues the license that a pharmacy must hold before it may dispense prescription medicines to the public?

  1. The Mongolian Pharmaceutical Association
  2. The local Citizens' Representative Khural
  3. The State Specialized Inspection Agency acting alone
  4. The Ministry of Health or its authorized licensing authority Correct answer.

Explanation

Pharmacy operating licenses in Mongolia are granted through the health ministry and the specialized agency it authorizes for licensing and inspection. Professional associations and local assemblies may advise or comment but do not issue the dispensing license. A pharmacy must display a valid license before any prescription dispensing occurs.

Question 2Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A patient presents a prescription for a controlled narcotic analgesic. Which action best reflects the legally required handling in a Mongolian pharmacy?

  1. Dispense it without any record if the patient is known to the staff
  2. Refuse all narcotic prescriptions because pharmacies cannot stock them
  3. Dispense it and record the transaction in the narcotic register Correct answer.
  4. Substitute a non-controlled analgesic without contacting the prescriber

Explanation

Narcotic and other controlled medicines may be dispensed only against a valid prescription and must be entered in the dedicated register that tracks receipt and dispensing. Keeping this record is a legal obligation and supports inspection. Unrecorded dispensing or unilateral substitution breaches controlled-substance rules.

Question 3Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A prescription is missing the prescriber's signature but is otherwise complete. What is the correct professional response?

  1. Dispense it because all clinical details are present
  2. Ask the patient to sign on the prescriber's behalf
  3. Withhold dispensing until the prescriber validates the prescription Correct answer.
  4. Dispense it and ask the patient to bring the signature later

Explanation

A prescription is a legal document, and the prescriber's signature is an essential validating element. Without it the document is not a lawful order, so dispensing must wait until the prescriber confirms or reissues it. Patient convenience cannot override this requirement.

Question 4Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

Which statement correctly describes the pharmacist's duty when a prescription appears to contain a dangerous dosing error?

  1. Contact the prescriber to clarify before any dispensing Correct answer.
  2. Return the prescription to the patient without comment
  3. Dispense exactly as written to avoid interfering with therapy
  4. Change the dose silently to the usual adult dose

Explanation

When a prescription raises a safety concern, the pharmacist must clarify with the prescriber before dispensing and document the outcome. This is a core element of the pharmacist's legal and ethical duty to protect patients. Silent alteration or unquestioning dispensing both create legal exposure.

Question 5Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A pharmacy technician notices that a colleague has been removing small quantities of a controlled medicine for personal use. What is the legally and ethically correct course of action?

  1. Confront the colleague privately and agree to keep it secret
  2. Wait until a larger quantity is missing before acting
  3. Record the loss in the stock register and say nothing further
  4. Report the diversion through the pharmacy's internal and regulatory channels Correct answer.

Explanation

Diversion of controlled medicines is a serious legal matter and must be reported through the pharmacy's internal procedure and to the competent authority. Confidential handling between colleagues exposes patients and the public to harm. Register corrections alone do not discharge the reporting duty.

Question 6Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

Which information must appear on the dispensing label of a prescription medicine prepared in a Mongolian pharmacy?

  1. Only the prescriber's name and clinic address
  2. Only the price and the expiry date of the product
  3. The patient's name, the medicine name, strength, directions and the dispensing date Correct answer.
  4. Only the medicine name and the pharmacy telephone number

Explanation

A dispensing label must identify the patient and the medicine, state the strength and directions for use, and show the date of dispensing. These elements let the patient use the medicine correctly and allow traceability. Labels lacking them are legally deficient.

Question 7Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A prescription for a prescription-only medicine has expired under the applicable validity period. How should the pharmacy proceed?

  1. Refer the patient back to the prescriber for a new prescription Correct answer.
  2. Dispense half the quantity as a compromise
  3. Dispense it as an over-the-counter sale
  4. Dispense it, since the prescriber's intent is clear

Explanation

A prescription is valid only for the period set by regulation; once that period has passed it can no longer authorize dispensing. The correct step is to direct the patient to the prescriber for reassessment and a fresh prescription. Partial dispensing or reclassification does not cure an expired order.

Question 8Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

What is the primary purpose of maintaining a pharmacy record of all medicines received and dispensed?

  1. To enable traceability of products and support recalls and inspections Correct answer.
  2. To satisfy the marketing requirements of wholesalers
  3. To help staff calculate monthly sales bonuses
  4. To replace the need for a prescription file

Explanation

Receipt and dispensing records create an audit trail that allows a medicine to be traced from supplier to patient. This supports product recalls, detection of diversion and inspection by regulators. The records are a legal compliance tool, not a commercial or marketing one.

Question 9Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A pharmacy technician is asked by a customer to reveal whether a neighbour has been collecting a particular medicine. What is the appropriate response?

  1. Ask the pharmacist to confirm the information to the customer
  2. Decline to disclose any patient information and explain the confidentiality duty Correct answer.
  3. Confirm the fact, since the neighbour is a regular customer
  4. Check the dispensing log and answer only if the neighbour is over 18

Explanation

Patient health information is confidential, and pharmacy staff may not disclose it to third parties without a lawful basis or the patient's consent. The technician should refuse politely and explain the duty rather than confirm or deny any detail. Even a pharmacist cannot disclose such information casually.

Question 10Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

Which of the following best describes the legal status of a medicine classified as prescription-only in Mongolia?

  1. It may be sold freely if the dose is low
  2. It may be supplied only on a valid prescription from an authorized prescriber Correct answer.
  3. It may be supplied by a technician without pharmacist involvement
  4. It may be sold by any retailer that displays a health notice

Explanation

Prescription-only classification means the medicine may be supplied only against a valid prescription issued by a properly authorized prescriber. Retail sale or supply on request is prohibited regardless of dose. The classification exists because unsupervised use carries significant risk.

Question 11Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A pharmacy receives a delivery of a medicine that requires storage between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, but the data logger shows the shipment reached 20 degrees Celsius for several hours. What should happen before the stock is released for dispensing?

  1. Place it in the refrigerator and release it the next day
  2. Discard it immediately without notifying anyone
  3. Quarantine the stock and seek the supplier's or manufacturer's stability assessment Correct answer.
  4. Release it, because the manufacturer's expiry date is still valid

Explanation

A cold-chain breach means the product's quality may be compromised, so the stock must be quarantined pending a stability assessment from the supplier or manufacturer. Only that assessment can determine whether the batch remains usable. Immediate release or silent disposal both bypass the required decision process.

Question 12Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

Which action by a pharmacy technician would constitute a breach of the limits on their professional scope?

  1. Referring a patient's question about side effects to the pharmacist
  2. Independently changing a prescription from one antibiotic to another Correct answer.
  3. Checking the expiry date of stock before dispensing
  4. Telling a patient to complete the full course of an antibiotic as prescribed

Explanation

Technicians support dispensing under pharmacist supervision but may not independently alter therapy or substitute a different medicine. Changing a prescribed antibiotic is a clinical decision reserved to the prescriber, with pharmacist review. The other listed actions are within normal technical duties.

Question 13Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

What is the main regulatory reason for requiring a prescription to state the patient's name and the date of issue?

  1. To identify the intended recipient and confirm the prescription is within its validity period Correct answer.
  2. To determine which wholesaler supplied the medicine
  3. To allow the pharmacy to advertise the prescriber's practice
  4. To help the pharmacy calculate the retail margin

Explanation

Patient identification prevents prescriptions being used by the wrong person, and the issue date establishes whether the prescription is still valid. Together they protect against misuse and support lawful dispensing. Neither element relates to pricing or promotion.

Question 14Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A pharmacy technician is asked to dispense a medicine that the pharmacy does not stock, and the prescriber has written that no substitution is permitted. What is the correct action?

  1. Dispense a therapeutically similar medicine and note it on the label
  2. Inform the patient and contact the prescriber or an authorized supplier to obtain the prescribed product Correct answer.
  3. Dispense half the prescribed dose from available stock
  4. Tell the patient the medicine is unavailable and offer no further help

Explanation

When substitution is prohibited, the pharmacy must obtain the exact prescribed product rather than supply a similar medicine. Contacting the prescriber or an authorized supplier is the lawful route. Altering the product or the dose without authorization breaches the prescription.

Question 15Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

Which practice best protects the integrity of a pharmacy's controlled-substance stock records?

  1. Allowing any staff member to sign for receipts without verification
  2. Recording entries only at the end of each month from memory
  3. Performing regular reconciliations of physical stock against the register Correct answer.
  4. Storing the register separately from the medicines and never reviewing it

Explanation

Periodic reconciliation of physical stock against the controlled-substance register detects discrepancies early and deters diversion. Records must be contemporaneous, verified at receipt and open to inspection. Delayed or unverified entries undermine the whole accountability system.

Question 16Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A patient asks the pharmacy technician for advice about a chronic condition and the technician is unsure of the correct answer. What is the most appropriate professional action?

  1. Refer the patient to the pharmacist for advice Correct answer.
  2. Recommend a specific prescription medicine to try
  3. Give a confident answer based on personal experience
  4. Tell the patient that pharmacies cannot discuss such conditions

Explanation

When a query exceeds the technician's knowledge or scope, the safe and ethical step is to refer it to the pharmacist. Giving unverified advice or recommending prescription medicines unsupervised could cause harm. Refusing all discussion is unnecessarily unhelpful.

Question 17Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A pharmacy discovers that a batch of a dispensed medicine has been recalled by the manufacturer because of a quality defect. What is the pharmacy's obligation?

  1. Dispose of remaining stock quietly and take no further action
  2. Identify affected patients from dispensing records and contact them to arrange return and replacement Correct answer.
  3. Wait for patients to return the medicine on their own initiative
  4. Continue dispensing remaining stock until it runs out

Explanation

A recall requires the pharmacy to quarantine remaining stock and use its dispensing records to trace and contact affected patients. Patients must be told how to return the product and obtain appropriate replacement or advice. Passive waiting or continued supply defeats the purpose of the recall.

Question 18Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

Which of the following is a core ethical obligation of pharmacy personnel toward patients?

  1. Sharing patient data with marketing partners for profit
  2. Dispensing requested medicines without any professional assessment
  3. Placing the patient's health and safety above commercial interests Correct answer.
  4. Prioritizing sales volume over clinical need

Explanation

The ethical foundation of pharmacy practice is that the patient's health and safety come before commercial gain. This principle governs decisions about supply, advice and record use. Profit-driven or unassessed dispensing conflicts with that duty.

Question 19Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A technician realizes they dispensed the wrong strength of a medicine to a patient. What is the correct sequence of actions?

  1. Ask a colleague to handle it without recording the event
  2. Inform the pharmacist immediately, contact the patient and document the incident Correct answer.
  3. Wait to see whether the patient reports any problem
  4. Say nothing and correct the record to match what was dispensed

Explanation

A dispensing error must be escalated to the pharmacist at once so the patient can be contacted and any harm prevented or managed. The event must then be documented through the pharmacy's incident reporting process. Concealment or delay increases patient risk and breaches professional duty.

Question 20Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

How should a pharmacy handle a prescription that appears to have been altered after issue, for example a changed quantity?

  1. Dispense the original quantity and ignore the alteration
  2. Dispense the altered quantity because the prescriber probably agreed
  3. Verify the prescription with the prescriber before dispensing anything Correct answer.
  4. Confiscate the prescription and refuse to speak with the patient

Explanation

A prescription that shows signs of alteration is no longer reliable as a legal order, so the prescriber must verify the intended content before dispensing. Verification protects both the patient and the pharmacy. Guessing at the intended quantity or ignoring the change is unsafe.

Question 21Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

Which document should a pharmacy retain to demonstrate that a medicine was purchased from a lawful source?

  1. The pharmacy's advertising leaflet
  2. The staff training attendance sheet
  3. The purchase invoice and receipt records from the authorized supplier Correct answer.
  4. The patient's prescription only

Explanation

Invoices and receipt records from an authorized supplier show that stock entered the pharmacy through lawful channels. This documentation underpins traceability and is examined during inspections. A prescription records dispensing to a patient, not the origin of the stock.

Question 22Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A pharmacy technician is offered a payment by a supplier in exchange for ordering that supplier's products exclusively. How should this be handled under professional ethics rules?

  1. Decline it and disclose the offer to the pharmacist or manager Correct answer.
  2. Accept it but order only half of the stock from that supplier
  3. Accept it and keep the arrangement confidential
  4. Accept it, since ordering decisions remain with the pharmacy

Explanation

Inducements that could influence purchasing decisions create a conflict of interest and undermine objective, patient-focused procurement. The correct response is to decline and disclose the offer so the pharmacy can manage the situation transparently. Secrecy or partial acceptance still compromises integrity.

Question 23Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

What is the purpose of requiring pharmacy staff to complete continuing education in pharmaceutical regulation and ethics?

  1. To replace the need for supervision by a pharmacist
  2. To satisfy supplier contracts for product promotion
  3. To ensure practice keeps pace with current legal requirements and ethical standards Correct answer.
  4. To increase the pharmacy's retail turnover

Explanation

Continuing education keeps practitioners current with evolving legal requirements, safety guidance and ethical expectations. This protects patients and supports competent, lawful practice. It is a professional development requirement, not a commercial or supervisory substitute.

Question 24Pharmacy Law, Regulation, and Professional Ethics

A pharmacy technician is asked to dispense a medicine to a patient who cannot produce a prescription but insists they have one at home. What is the correct response?

  1. Ask the patient to sign a note promising to bring the prescription later
  2. Explain that a valid prescription must be presented before the medicine can be supplied Correct answer.
  3. Dispense a small emergency quantity of any requested medicine
  4. Dispense the medicine and record that the prescription is pending

Explanation

A prescription-only medicine cannot be supplied until a valid prescription is presented, because the document is what authorizes the supply. The technician should explain this clearly and offer appropriate guidance. Informal promises or unverified claims do not satisfy the legal requirement.

Question 25Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

Which term describes a liquid dosage form in which solid drug particles are dispersed in a liquid vehicle and are intended to be shaken before use?

  1. Solution
  2. Syrup
  3. Elixir
  4. Suspension Correct answer.

Explanation

A suspension contains undissolved solid particles distributed throughout a liquid vehicle, so particles settle on standing and the container must be shaken to redisperse them and ensure dose uniformity. A solution contains fully dissolved drug and needs no shaking.

Question 26Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

A tablet is described as enteric-coated. What is the intended purpose of this coating?

  1. To make the tablet effervesce on contact with water
  2. To provide immediate release in the stomach
  3. To resist gastric fluid and release drug in the intestine Correct answer.
  4. To mask an unpleasant taste during swallowing

Explanation

Enteric coatings are designed to remain intact in the acidic stomach and dissolve at the higher pH of the small intestine, protecting acid-labile drugs or the gastric mucosa. Taste masking and immediate gastric release are properties of other coating types.

Question 27Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

Which route of administration is described as parenteral?

  1. Sublingual
  2. Rectal
  3. Oral
  4. Subcutaneous Correct answer.

Explanation

Parenteral means administration by injection, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract; subcutaneous injection is a parenteral route. Oral, rectal and sublingual routes all deliver drug across a mucosal surface rather than by needle.

Question 28Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

In the drug name paracetamol, which component is the approved or generic name?

  1. Paracetamol Correct answer.
  2. The chemical name N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide
  3. The ATC code N02BE01
  4. Acetaminophen brand labelling

Explanation

The generic (non-proprietary) name is the internationally agreed name used for the active substance, and paracetamol is that name in the International Nonproprietary Name system. Chemical names describe molecular structure and ATC codes are classification codes, not names.

Question 29Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

A prescription orders a drug as a suppository. Which statement describes this dosage form?

  1. A solid dosage form inserted into a body orifice where it melts or dissolves Correct answer.
  2. A powder inhaled into the lungs
  3. A semisolid applied to intact skin for local effect
  4. A sterile liquid injected into muscle tissue

Explanation

Suppositories are solid bodies shaped for insertion into the rectum, vagina or similar cavity, where they soften, melt or dissolve to release drug for local or systemic absorption. They are not injectables, inhalants or topical creams.

Question 30Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

Which of the following is a controlled-release oral dosage form?

  1. A chewable tablet
  2. An extended-release matrix tablet Correct answer.
  3. A dispersible tablet
  4. An effervescent granule

Explanation

Extended-release matrix tablets are formulated so the drug is liberated gradually over an extended period, often through a polymer matrix that slows dissolution. Chewable, dispersible and effervescent forms are designed for rapid disintegration or dissolution.

Question 31Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

A pharmacy technician sees the suffix -olol on a generic drug name. Which pharmacological class does this suffix most commonly indicate?

  1. Beta-adrenergic blocking agents Correct answer.
  2. Benzodiazepine anxiolytics
  3. Proton pump inhibitors
  4. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Explanation

The International Nonproprietary Name stem -olol is used for beta-adrenoceptor antagonists such as propranolol and metoprolol. Other classes use different stems, for example -pril for ACE inhibitors and -prazole for proton pump inhibitors.

Question 32Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

Which dosage form is designed to deliver drug across the skin into the systemic circulation at a controlled rate?

  1. A lotion
  2. A gel
  3. A transdermal patch Correct answer.
  4. A paste

Explanation

A transdermal patch is a medicated adhesive system that releases drug through intact skin into systemic circulation at a controlled rate over hours to days. Gels, lotions and pastes are primarily topical preparations for local effect.

Question 33Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

A drug name carries the stem -cillin. Which class of antibacterial agents does this indicate?

  1. Tetracyclines
  2. Penicillins Correct answer.
  3. Macrolides
  4. Aminoglycosides

Explanation

The INN stem -cillin identifies penicillin-type beta-lactam antibiotics, for example amoxicillin and flucloxacillin. Tetracyclines use the stem -cycline and macrolides typically end in -thromycin.

Question 34Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

Which property distinguishes a lotion from a cream in topical drug delivery?

  1. A lotion is a liquid or fluid emulsion, while a cream is a semisolid emulsion Correct answer.
  2. A lotion is applied only to mucous membranes, while a cream is applied only to skin
  3. A lotion contains no water, while a cream is always aqueous
  4. A lotion is always sterile, while a cream is never sterile

Explanation

Lotions are fluid preparations, often emulsions or suspensions, that spread easily and are suited to hairy areas, whereas creams are semisolid emulsions that stay in place on the skin. Sterility and water content do not define the difference between the two.

Question 35Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

An ampoule of a drug is labelled for single use only. What is the main reason for this restriction?

  1. The drug concentration increases on exposure to air
  2. Preservatives are usually absent, so microbial contamination after opening is a risk Correct answer.
  3. The ampoule cannot be resealed, so the dose would be inaccurate
  4. The glass becomes brittle after the first opening

Explanation

Ampoules typically contain sterile solutions without antimicrobial preservatives, so once opened they cannot be stored and reused without a contamination risk. The limitation relates to microbiological safety rather than glass brittleness or concentration change.

Question 36Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

Which statement correctly distinguishes an ointment from a cream?

  1. An ointment must be sterile, while a cream must be preservative-free
  2. An ointment is intended only for the eye, while a cream is intended only for the nose
  3. An ointment is a semisolid, often anhydrous base, while a cream is an emulsion Correct answer.
  4. An ointment is always a powder, while a cream is always a liquid

Explanation

Ointments are semisolid preparations with bases that are frequently anhydrous and greasy, giving an occlusive effect, whereas creams are emulsions containing water and oil phases. Physical state and phase composition, not the site of application, separate the two.

Question 37Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

A prescriber writes a drug name in lowercase that matches the International Nonproprietary Name. How should the technician interpret this name?

  1. It is a non-proprietary name identifying the active substance Correct answer.
  2. It is a national reimbursement code
  3. It is a manufacturer's trade name
  4. It is a pharmacopoeial reagent grade designation

Explanation

The International Nonproprietary Name is a globally recognised non-proprietary designation for an active pharmaceutical substance, and it is conventionally written in lowercase. Trade names are proprietary, and codes or grade designations are not drug names.

Question 38Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

Which of these is an example of a biological product rather than a conventional small-molecule drug?

  1. A monoclonal antibody Correct answer.
  2. Paracetamol
  3. Ibuprofen
  4. Metformin

Explanation

Monoclonal antibodies are large proteins produced by biotechnological processes and are classified as biological products, requiring different handling and stability considerations. Paracetamol, ibuprofen and metformin are small synthetic molecules.

Question 39Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

A patient cannot swallow tablets, and the prescriber requests a liquid with the same active ingredient. Which formulation consideration is most important for the technician to verify?

  1. That the liquid is supplied with a spoon rather than a cup
  2. That the liquid contains the same dose per volume as the tablet strength Correct answer.
  3. That the liquid has a pleasant colour
  4. That the liquid is packaged in a glass bottle

Explanation

When converting between dosage forms, the dose per unit volume of the liquid must be matched to the prescribed tablet strength so the patient receives the same amount of active ingredient. Packaging, colour and the type of measuring device are secondary to dose equivalence.

Question 40Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

A prescription specifies a drug by its ATC code. What does an ATC code primarily convey?

  1. The therapeutic and pharmacological classification of the drug Correct answer.
  2. The molecular weight of the active substance
  3. The expiry date of the batch
  4. The manufacturer of the product

Explanation

The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification assigns codes according to the organ system or anatomical site acted on, then therapeutic, pharmacological and chemical subgroup. It is a classification system, not a physical or commercial descriptor.

Question 41Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

A modified-release tablet is prescribed. Which instruction is most appropriate to give the patient?

  1. Split the tablet to obtain a smaller dose
  2. Swallow the tablet whole unless the product information permits otherwise Correct answer.
  3. Crush the tablet and mix it with food if swallowing is difficult
  4. Chew the tablet to speed absorption

Explanation

Modified-release tablets are designed to release drug in a controlled manner, and crushing, chewing or splitting can destroy the release mechanism and cause dose dumping or loss of effect. Whole-tablet swallowing is the default unless the specific product information allows another method.

Question 42Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

A drug is available as an oral solution and as a lyophilised powder for injection. Which statement best explains why the same active substance requires two different dosage forms?

  1. The injectable form does not require sterility
  2. The route of administration and the physicochemical stability of the drug differ between the two forms Correct answer.
  3. The two forms contain different active substances
  4. The oral form is always more potent than the injectable form

Explanation

Different dosage forms are developed because the route of administration imposes different requirements, such as sterility for parenterals, and because a drug may be unstable in aqueous solution, making a lyophilised powder necessary for reconstitution. Potency and identity of the active substance do not change with the form.

Question 43Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

A technician must classify a preparation that is a sterile, preservative-free, isotonic aqueous solution packaged in a single-dose container for administration to the eye. Which classification is correct?

  1. A cutaneous emulsion
  2. A nasal gel
  3. An ophthalmic solution Correct answer.
  4. An otic suspension

Explanation

A sterile aqueous preparation intended for instillation into the eye is an ophthalmic solution, and single-dose ophthalmic products are typically preservative-free to avoid corneal toxicity. Otic, nasal and cutaneous products are intended for other sites and have different requirements.

Question 44Dosage Forms, Drug Nomenclature, and Classification

Two products contain the same active substance, but one is labelled as the reference (innovator) product and the other as a generic. Which statement is correct about their naming and classification?

  1. The generic product is not required to contain the same active substance
  2. The generic product has a different International Nonproprietary Name
  3. Both products share the same non-proprietary name but may have different trade names Correct answer.
  4. The reference product has no non-proprietary name

Explanation

Generic and reference products contain the same active substance and therefore share the same non-proprietary name, while each manufacturer may use a different proprietary trade name. A generic medicine must contain the same active substance as the reference product.

Question 45Pharmaceutical Calculations and Measurement

A prescription calls for 0.25 g of a drug per dose. How many milligrams is this?

  1. 2500 mg
  2. 25 mg
  3. 250 mg Correct answer.
  4. 0.025 mg

Explanation

There are 1000 milligrams in one gram, so converting grams to milligrams means multiplying by 1000. Thus 0.25 g × 1000 = 250 mg, which is the required dose.

Question 46Pharmaceutical Calculations and Measurement

How many milliliters are contained in 2.5 liters of irrigation solution?

  1. 2500 mL Correct answer.
  2. 25 mL
  3. 25 000 mL
  4. 250 mL

Explanation

One liter equals 1000 milliliters, so liters are converted to milliliters by multiplying by 1000. Therefore 2.5 L × 1000 = 2500 mL.

Question 47Pharmaceutical Calculations and Measurement

A syrup contains 125 mg of active ingredient in each 5 mL. How many milligrams are in a 20 mL dose?

  1. 250 mg
  2. 125 mg
  3. 500 mg Correct answer.
  4. 625 mg

Explanation

The concentration is 125 mg per 5 mL, so each milliliter contains 25 mg. A 20 mL dose therefore contains 20 × 25 = 500 mg.

Question 48Pharmaceutical Calculations and Measurement

A patient is prescribed 1.2 g of a medication daily, divided into three equal doses. How many milligrams are in each dose?

  1. 400 mg Correct answer.
  2. 1200 mg
  3. 300 mg
  4. 40 mg

Explanation

First convert 1.2 g to 1200 mg by multiplying by 1000. Dividing 1200 mg by three equal doses gives 400 mg per dose.

Question 49Pharmaceutical Calculations and Measurement

How many grams are equivalent to 750 micrograms?

  1. 0.75 g
  2. 7.5 g
  3. 0.075 g
  4. 0.00075 g Correct answer.

Explanation

One gram contains 1 000 000 micrograms, so micrograms are converted to grams by dividing by 1 000 000. Thus 750 mcg = 0.00075 g.

Question 50Pharmaceutical Calculations and Measurement

A prescription is written for 30 g of an ointment. The pharmacy stocks 15 g tubes. How many tubes are needed to fill the prescription?

  1. 4 tubes
  2. 1 tube
  3. 2 tubes Correct answer.
  4. 3 tubes

Explanation

Dividing the required 30 g by the 15 g supplied per tube gives two tubes. This is a straightforward quantity-supplied calculation.