Master Pharmaceutical Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide for Pharmacy Students

Question 1

Which chromatographic technique is best suited for separating non-volatile and thermally stable compounds?

Accepted Answer

High-performance liquid chromatography

Answer

Paper chromatography

Answer

Gas chromatography

Answer

Ion chromatography

Question 2

Which parameter is primarily used to assess the precision of an analytical method?

Accepted Answer

Precision

Answer

Accuracy

Answer

Sensitivity

Answer

Robustness

Question 3

The limit of detection (LOD) is defined as the:

Accepted Answer

Lowest concentration that can be reliably detected

Answer

Highest concentration that can be quantified

Answer

Concentration that gives a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1

Answer

Concentration that gives a signal-to-noise ratio of 10:1

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a consideration in selecting an internal standard for HPLC?

Accepted Answer

Minimal response in the detector

Answer

Chemical similarity to the analyte

Answer

Similar retention time to the analyte

Answer

Availability and cost

Question 5

The Rf value in thin-layer chromatography is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Distance travelled by the sample/distance travelled by the solvent

Answer

Time taken by the sample to reach the detector/time taken by the solvent to reach the detector

Answer

Concentration of the sample/concentration of the standard

Answer

Absorbance of the sample/absorbance of the standard

Question 6

Chromatographic resolution is a measure of:

Accepted Answer

The ability to separate two adjacent peaks

Answer

The efficiency of the column

Answer

The sensitivity of the detector

Answer

The selectivity of the method

Question 7

In high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the separation of analytes is governed primarily by their:

Accepted Answer

Partition coefficient

Answer

Molecular weight

Answer

Polarity

Answer

Solubility

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT an essential parameter in evaluating analytical methods?

Accepted Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Answer

Specificity

Answer

Limit of detection

Answer

Accuracy

Question 9

The technique used to separate molecules based on their electrical charge and size is:

Accepted Answer

Electrophoresis

Answer

Gas chromatography

Answer

High-performance thin-layer chromatography

Answer

Liquid-liquid extraction

Question 10

Which of the following is a commonly used internal standard in quantitative analysis?

Accepted Answer

Deuterated water

Answer

Sodium chloride

Answer

Benzene

Answer

Ethanol

Question 11

The Beer-Lambert law describes the relationship between:

Accepted Answer

The absorbance of a solution and its concentration

Answer

The retention time of a compound in HPLC and its polarity

Answer

The mass-to-charge ratio of an ion and its molecular weight

Answer

The migration distance of an analyte in electrophoresis and its charge

Question 12

A limitation of gas chromatography is its:

Accepted Answer

Inability to analyze volatile compounds

Answer

Requirement for extensive sample preparation

Answer

Restriction to liquid samples

Answer

Difficulty in quantifying low-concentration analytes

Question 13

The fundamental principle of mass spectrometry is:

Accepted Answer

Measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of ions

Answer

Detecting specific functional groups

Answer

Separating analytes based on size

Answer

Quantifying concentrations in a sample

Question 14

The technique used to determine the precise arrangement of atoms in a compound is:

Accepted Answer

X-ray crystallography

Answer

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Answer

Mass spectrometry

Answer

Atomic absorption spectroscopy

Question 15

In liquid chromatography, the stationary phase is solid, and the mobile phase is liquid. Which statement best describes this technique?

Accepted Answer

Separation is based on relative affinities for the phases.

Answer

The stationary phase is always liquid.

Answer

Separation is based solely on molecular size.

Answer

The mobile phase is always non-polar.

Question 16

During the validation of an analytical method, what is the primary objective of defining a linearity range?

Accepted Answer

To verify that the method exhibits a linear response to varying concentrations of the analyte within a specified range.

Answer

To determine the method's accuracy across all concentrations within a specified range.

Answer

To establish the maximum concentration at which the method can be reliably employed.

Answer

To determine the method's limit of detection.

Question 17

In pharmaceutical analysis, what is the main importance of the limit of detection (LOD)?

Accepted Answer

The LOD indicates the lowest concentration of an analyte that can be reliably detected using an analytical method.

Answer

The LOD is used to determine the accuracy of an analytical method.

Answer

The LOD is not a significant factor in pharmaceutical analysis.

Answer

The LOD is only relevant to spectrophotometric methods.

Question 18

What type of electromagnetic radiation is most commonly used in pharmaceutical spectrophotometry?

Accepted Answer

Ultraviolet radiation

Answer

X-rays

Answer

Infrared radiation

Answer

Microwave radiation

Question 19

In spectrophotometry, which technique compares the absorption spectra of an unknown compound to reference standards for identification and quantification?

Accepted Answer

UV-Vis spectrophotometry

Answer

Atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Answer

Nephelometry

Answer

Fluorimetry

Question 20

In pharmaceutical analysis, why is achieving high chromatographic resolution crucial?

Accepted Answer

To optimize the separation of compounds with similar structures

Answer

To enhance the sensitivity of the analytical method

Answer

To determine the absolute purity of compounds

Question 21

How does mass spectrometry contribute to drug discovery and development, particularly in the context of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies?

Accepted Answer

Identifying and characterizing drug metabolites

Accepted Answer

Unraveling drug metabolism pathways

Accepted Answer

Measuring drug concentrations in biological samples

Answer

Developing new therapeutic agents

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a type of spectrophotometer used in pharmaceutical analysis?

Accepted Answer

Gas chromatograph

Answer

UV-Vis spectrophotometer

Answer

Atomic absorption spectrophotometer

Answer

Fluorescence spectrophotometer

Question 23

Which of the following parameters is essential in the validation of an analytical method used in pharmaceutical analysis?

Accepted Answer

Accuracy

Answer

Cost

Answer

Environmental impact

Answer

Ease of use

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of a calibration curve in quantitative pharmaceutical analysis?

Accepted Answer

To establish a mathematical relationship between the analytical instrument's response and the concentration of the analyte being measured.

Answer

To identify the analytes present in a sample.

Question 25

Which of the following is a significant advantage of electrophoresis in pharmaceutical analysis?

Accepted Answer

It allows for the separation of molecules based on their size and electrical charge.

Answer

It is an inexpensive technique to perform.

Answer

It is a very rapid technique.

Question 26

What is the fundamental distinction between qualitative and quantitative analysis in pharmaceutical contexts?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative analysis determines the presence or absence of substances, while quantitative analysis measures the amount of substances present.

Answer

Qualitative analysis is more complex than quantitative analysis.

Question 27

What is the primary role of the British Pharmacopoeia in pharmaceutical analysis?

Accepted Answer

It provides official standards and quality control tests for medicinal products.

Answer

It is a journal of pharmaceutical research.

Answer

It is a textbook for pharmacy students.

Question 28

What is the key significance of adhering to good laboratory practices (GLPs) in pharmaceutical analysis?

Accepted Answer

GLPs ensure the reliability and accuracy of analytical data, which is critical for patient safety and medication effectiveness.

Answer

They improve the efficiency of laboratory operations.

Answer

They reduce the risk of accidents in the laboratory.