CAOP Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the CAOP exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 CAOP Exam Format at a Glance

Questions

120 min

Time Limit

50%

Passing Score

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📚 CAOP Topics to Study (21)

Drug Interactions and Contraindications · 7 cards Drug Interactions and Contraindications · 7 cards Drug Interactions and Contraindications · 7 cards Pharmaceutical Calculations · 7 cards Pharmacy Law and Ethics · 7 cards Adverse Drug Reaction Management · 6 cards Dispensing and Supply Logistics · 6 cards Extemporaneous Compounding · 6 cards Health Promotion and Education · 6 cards Implementing Medication Plans · 6 cards Monitoring Medication Outcomes · 6 cards Patient-Centred Medication Management · 6 cards Pharmaceutical Calculations · 6 cards Professional Practice Standards · 6 cards Therapeutic Area Review · 6 cards Drug Information and Literature Evaluation · 6 cards Drug Information and Literature Evaluation · 6 cards Drug Information and Literature Evaluation · 6 cards Sterile Products and Aseptic Technique · 6 cards Sterile Products and Aseptic Technique · 6 cards Sterile Products and Aseptic Technique · 6 cards

✍️ Sample CAOP Questions & Answers

1. How many millimoles (mmol) of sodium are present in a 250 mL intravenous bag of 0.9% w/v Sodium Chloride (NaCl)? (Molar mass of Na = 23 g/mol, Cl = 35.5 g/mol)

✓ 38.5 mmol

1. Molar mass of NaCl = 23 + 35.5 = 58.5 g/mol. 2. Calculate the mass of NaCl in the bag: 0.9% w/v = 0.9 g / 100 mL. In 250 mL, the mass is (0.9 g / 100 mL) × 250 mL = 2.25 g. 3. Calculate the moles of NaCl: Mass / Molar mass = 2.25 g / 58.5 g/mol ≈ 0.0385 mol. 4. Convert moles to millimoles: 0.0385 mol × 1000 mmol/mol = 38.5 mmol. 5. Since there is one sodium atom per molecule of NaCl, the millimoles of Na+ are equal to the millimoles of NaCl, which is 38.5 mmol.

2. A pharmacist is compounding an epidural solution. Which ingredient must be AVOIDED?

✓ Preservative-containing formulations

Preservatives such as benzyl alcohol and parabens are neurotoxic and must not be used in epidural or intrathecal preparations.

3. Which type of drug information question requires knowledge of pharmacokinetics and individual patient factors?

✓ Dosing in renal impairment

Dosing in renal impairment requires integrating pharmacokinetic parameters (e.g., renal clearance) with patient-specific renal function data.

4. A pharmacist notices visible particles in a prepared IV bag. The CORRECT action is to:

✓ Quarantine and discard the preparation, then investigate the cause

Visible particulate matter indicates contamination or incompatibility; the preparation must be discarded and the root cause investigated to prevent patient harm.

5. Enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine) reduce the effectiveness of combined oral contraceptives because they:

✓ Induce hepatic CYP3A4 and CYP2C9, increasing first-pass metabolism of contraceptive steroids

Enzyme-inducing antiepileptics upregulate CYP3A4 and CYP2C9, significantly increasing hepatic metabolism of ethinylestradiol and progestogens, reducing contraceptive plasma levels and risking contraceptive failure.

6. What is the significance of endotoxin testing (LAL test) for parenteral products?

✓ It detects bacterial endotoxins (pyrogens) that can cause fever and septic shock

The Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test detects gram-negative bacterial endotoxins that can cause pyrogenic reactions even if the product is sterile.

🎯 Free CAOP Practice Tests

Drug Interactions and Contraindications · 7 questions Pharmacy Law and Ethics · 7 questions Drug Interactions and Contraindications · 7 questions Pharmaceutical Calculations · 7 questions Drug Interactions and Contraindications · 7 questions Drug Information and Literature Evaluation · 6 questions Sterile Products and Aseptic Technique · 6 questions Drug Information and Literature Evaluation · 6 questions Drug Information and Literature Evaluation · 6 questions Professional Practice Standards · 6 questions

📖 CAOP Guides & Articles

Your CAOP Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

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