ExCPT Test ExCPT Dosage Forms and Routes of Administration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Extended-release (ER) tablets should NEVER be crushed or chewed because:
- They taste bitter and will cause nausea
- Crushing destroys the release mechanism and can cause dose dumping (Correct answer)
- They must be refrigerated to remain effective
- Crushing makes them harder to swallow
Correct answer: Crushing destroys the release mechanism and can cause dose dumping
Crushing an ER tablet destroys its controlled-release matrix, releasing the entire dose at once (dose dumping), which can cause toxicity or adverse effects.
Question 2: A metered-dose inhaler (MDI) delivers medication via which route?
- Nasal
- Inhalation (pulmonary) (Correct answer)
- Sublingual
- Transdermal
Correct answer: Inhalation (pulmonary)
An MDI aerosolizes medication so it can be inhaled into the lungs, making inhalation (pulmonary) the route of administration.
Question 3: Ophthalmic solutions are formulated to be isotonic primarily to:
- Increase the drug's shelf life
- Prevent irritation and discomfort to the eye (Correct answer)
- Enhance drug absorption into the cornea
- Allow the solution to be sterilized
Correct answer: Prevent irritation and discomfort to the eye
Ophthalmic solutions must be isotonic (matching the osmolarity of tear fluid) to prevent cell damage and discomfort in the sensitive eye tissue.
Question 4: The Z-track technique is used during which type of injection?
- Intravenous
- Subcutaneous
- Intramuscular (Correct answer)
- Intradermal
Correct answer: Intramuscular
The Z-track method is used for intramuscular injections to prevent medication from leaking back into subcutaneous tissue or staining the skin.
Question 5: Which route of administration is used for tuberculin skin tests (TST)?
- Subcutaneous
- Intramuscular
- Intradermal (Correct answer)
- Intravenous
Correct answer: Intradermal
Tuberculin skin tests are given intradermally (into the dermis layer of skin) to create a wheal that is read 48-72 hours later for immune response.
Question 6: Suspensions must always be shaken before use because:
- Shaking warms the product to body temperature
- Drug particles settle to the bottom between doses (Correct answer)
- Shaking activates the preservatives in the formula
- The drug degrades unless agitated regularly
Correct answer: Drug particles settle to the bottom between doses
In a suspension, solid drug particles are dispersed in liquid but settle over time due to gravity, so shaking redistributes the particles for an accurate dose.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of a drug that bypasses first-pass hepatic metabolism?
- An oral immediate-release tablet
- A sublingual nitroglycerin tablet (Correct answer)
- An enteric-coated aspirin
- An oral sustained-release capsule
Correct answer: A sublingual nitroglycerin tablet
Sublingual nitroglycerin is absorbed directly into systemic circulation through the oral mucosa, bypassing the liver and first-pass metabolism entirely.
ExCPT Test ExCPT Dosage Forms and Routes of Administration 2
Extended-release (ER) tablets should NEVER be crushed or chewed because: