Past Exam Questions Mod 4

Question 1

What are the 4 key consideration in the selection of drug dosage forms?

Answer 1

1. is the drug for a local effect or a systemic effect?
2. speed of onset
3. duration of action
4. patient factors e.g. age, diseases

Question 2

give 6 examples of why you would choose to deliver a drug parentally via injection rather than using a simpler oral dosing?

Answer 2

1. ensure adequate delivery
2. to target delivery e.g. to organ or malignaancy
3. oral route unavailable e.g. unconscious/ elderly
4. low or no oral bioavailability
5. unstable drug (pH)
6. give a local effect (anaesthesia)
7. rapid effect
8. sustained effect

Question 3

give 4 examples of disadvantages of parenteral delivery

Answer 3

1. dosage forms MUST be sterile
2. costs - drug prep + administration
3. effects (adverse) are almost immediate - no way back
4. fear + pain of injections

Question 4

Pharmaceutical closures are an essential part of both primary and secondary packaging. They come in different seal qualities. Name 3 types of closures and either an example or comment on the level of protection each of them represents.

Answer 4

1. physical compression - plug-in
   e.g. rubber closure for injections
2. physical compression - screw cap
   e.. aluminium foil or cork
3. heat-sealing closures e.g. wax coatings
4. physical compression - push-over or “snap-fit” e.g. LDPE

Question 5

give 2 examples for pharmaceutical packaging and explain how one of them works

Answer 5

1. aerosols
2. pre-filled syringes
3. MDIs (metered-dose inhalers)

nebulisers (aerosols)
- convert drug solution into a continuous fine aerosol most which can be inhaled directly into the lung via a mouthpiece or face mask

Question 6

Medicines sold in Australia will have either an AUST R or an AUST L number (but not both!). This
is the “Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods” (ARTG) number. The ARTG number not only
identifies the product, but is a guide to how much examination the product has received before going
on sale.

a) What does the R and L stand for?

Answer 6

R = registered medicine
L = listed medicine

Question 7

Name THREE (3) things AUST R medicines have been assessed for before they can be sold

Answer 7

1. quality
2. safety
3. effectiveness

Question 8

What are the FOUR (4) key considerations when selecting the dosage form of a drug?

Answer 8

1. Is the drug for a local effect (not entering blood
   circulation)
   OR
   Is it for a systemic effect:
   Localised graze to skin ??
   Tuberculosis ??
2. Speed of onset
3. Duration of action
4. Patient factors e.g. age, disease

Question 9

The oral route is the most frequently used route for delivery of medicines. Name THREE (3) advantages of the oral route?

Answer 9

Simple, convenient, safest

Question 10

Name TWO (2) advantages and TWO (2) disadvantages of buccal and sublingual delivery

Answer 10

+ rapid effect
+ 100% bioavailability (no first pass)

• needs saliva to solubilise so a dry mouth can cause issues