Free Non-Sterile Compounding Practice Questions

1. The "aliquot method" in compounding is used when:

• The required amount of drug is too small to weigh accurately on the available balance
• A large batch of medication is being prepared
• The drug must be dissolved in alcohol
• An emulsion needs to be stabilized

2. A compounding record (log) must include all of the following EXCEPT:

• The patient's insurance policy number
• The name, strength, and quantity of each ingredient used
• The beyond-use date assigned to the preparation
• The initials of the compounder and the verifying pharmacist

3. When compounding an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, which emulsifying agent is most appropriate?

• Acacia (gum arabic) — a hydrophilic emulsifier that stabilizes O/W emulsions
• Mineral oil — a hydrophobic liquid
• Cholesterol — a lipophilic emulsifier for W/O emulsions
• White petrolatum — an ointment base

4. Spatulation is a mixing technique performed on:

• An ointment slab (tile) using a spatula, to mix semi-solid preparations without grinding
• A graduated cylinder using a glass rod
• A torsion balance using weighing papers
• A beaker using a magnetic stir bar

5. A Class III torsion balance used in compounding has a minimum weighable quantity of approximately:

• 120 mg
• 1 mg
• 500 mg
• 1 g