Compounding Ingredient Quantities
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NAPLEX › Compounding Ingredient Quantities
A 30-year-old female is prescribed a compounded oral solution of potassium chloride at 10 mEq/15 mL. Prepare a total of 480 mL using purified water and a suitable sweetener q.s. ad 480 mL; the prescriber requests dye-free. If potassium chloride provides 1 mEq per 74.5 mg, using a balance and graduated cylinder, how many grams of potassium chloride are needed for the total batch?
11.92 g
0.119 g
1.19 g
23.84 g
Explanation
This question tests calculation involving milliequivalents (mEq) and unit conversions for electrolyte solutions. First, determine total mEq needed: (10 mEq/15 mL) × 480 mL = 320 mEq. Then convert to mass using the given conversion factor: 320 mEq × 74.5 mg/mEq = 23,840 mg = 23.84 g. The correct answer C (23.84 g) accurately represents this calculation. Option A (1.19 g) appears to calculate for 16 mEq instead of 320, option B (11.92 g) uses half the required amount, and option D (0.119 g) divides by 200. When working with mEq calculations, first determine total mEq needed, then use the substance-specific conversion factor. Always verify unit conversions and decimal placement in multi-step calculations.
A 45-year-old male requires a compounded topical menthol cream at 0.5% w/w for pruritus. Prepare 200 g total using a hypoallergenic cream base q.s. ad 200 g; avoid added fragrances. Using an electronic balance and ointment slab/spatula, what quantity of menthol (in grams) is needed for this formulation?
10 g
5 g
1 g
0.1 g
Explanation
This question assesses calculation of API for a low-concentration weight/weight (w/w) topical preparation. For 0.5% w/w in 200 g total: (0.5 g/100 g) × 200 g = 1 g. The correct answer B (1 g) represents this accurate calculation. Option A (0.1 g) divides by 10 suggesting 0.05% strength, option C (10 g) multiplies by 10 indicating 5% strength, and option D (5 g) suggests 2.5% strength. When working with fractional percentages, convert to decimal form (0.5% = 0.005) and multiply by total weight, or use the proportion method. Always double-check calculations for low-percentage preparations as small errors can significantly impact therapeutic effect.
A 7-year-old female (25 kg) needs an oral suspension of fluconazole 10 mg/mL, total volume 90 mL, to be dispensed in an amber bottle. You have fluconazole powder available and will QS with a vehicle. How many milligrams of fluconazole are required?
900 mg
90 mg
450 mg
9,000 mg
Explanation
This question assesses suspension totals. The key factor is 10 mg/mL × 90 mL = 900 mg of fluconazole. The correct answer, 900 mg, fits amber bottle. Choice A (90 mg) under by 10; choice C (9,000 mg) over by 10; choice D (450 mg) halves. Total mg = concentration × volume. Amber protects from light.
A 38-year-old female requires a compounded mouthwash: diphenhydramine 0.5% (w/v), total volume 300 mL, sugar-free. You will prepare from diphenhydramine HCl powder and purified water using a balance and graduated cylinder. How many grams of diphenhydramine HCl are needed?
0.5 g
15 g
0.15 g
1.5 g
Explanation
This question tests w/v for mouthwashes. The key factor is 0.5% w/v for 300 mL: (0.5/100) × 300 = 1.5 g of diphenhydramine HCl. The correct answer, 1.5 g, is sugar-free. Choice A (0.15 g) under by 10; choice C (15 g) over by 10; choice D (0.5 g) ignores volume. Grams = (percentage/100) × mL. Sugar-free aids diabetics.
A 70-year-old female needs a non-sterile oral suspension of gabapentin 50 mg/mL, total volume 180 mL, to be stored refrigerated in an amber bottle. You have gabapentin 300 mg capsules and will QS with a suitable vehicle. Using a mortar/pestle and graduated cylinder, how many grams of gabapentin are needed for the entire batch?
90 g
18 g
9 g
0.9 g
Explanation
This question assesses total active ingredient needs for oral suspensions from capsule contents. The key calculation is 50 mg/mL × 180 mL = 9,000 mg = 9 g of gabapentin. The correct answer, 9 g, accounts for the full batch volume accurately. Choice A (0.9 g) underestimates by a factor of 10; choice C (90 g) overestimates similarly; choice D (18 g) doubles the amount. Formula: concentration in mg/mL × volume in mL = total mg, then convert to grams if needed. Refrigerated storage enhances suspension stability.
A pediatric patient (4-year-old male, 16 kg) needs an oral suspension of amoxicillin at 50 mg/mL. You have amoxicillin powder and will compound a total volume of 150 mL using a suitable vehicle (e.g., Ora-Plus/Ora-Sweet) q.s. ad 150 mL; label to refrigerate. Using a graduated cylinder and mortar/pestle, how many grams of amoxicillin are needed to achieve the desired concentration?
3.75 g
7.5 g
15 g
0.75 g
Explanation
This question evaluates the calculation of API quantity for a weight/volume (mg/mL) oral suspension preparation. The calculation requires converting the desired concentration to total drug amount: 50 mg/mL × 150 mL = 7,500 mg = 7.5 g. The correct answer B (7.5 g) represents this accurate calculation. Option A (3.75 g) incorrectly uses half the volume (75 mL), option C (0.75 g) appears to be a decimal error dividing by 10, and option D (15 g) doubles the correct amount suggesting 100 mg/mL concentration. When preparing suspensions with specific mg/mL concentrations, multiply the concentration by the total volume and convert units appropriately. Always double-check unit conversions between mg and g (1 g = 1,000 mg) to avoid medication errors.
A 58-year-old male is prescribed compounded gabapentin capsules, 225 mg per capsule, because this strength is not commercially available. The prescription is for 90 capsules; each capsule will be filled with gabapentin powder and lactose monohydrate as the diluent. Using a capsule-filling machine and balance, how many grams of gabapentin are required for the batch (do not include any overage)?
202.5 g
2.025 g
20.25 g
0.2025 g
Explanation
This question tests batch calculation for solid dosage form compounding, specifically capsules with a non-standard strength. The calculation involves multiplying the per-capsule dose by the total number of capsules: 225 mg × 90 capsules = 20,250 mg = 20.25 g. The correct answer B (20.25 g) accurately reflects this calculation. Option A (2.025 g) represents a decimal placement error (divided by 10), option C (202.5 g) multiplies by 10 suggesting a unit conversion error, and option D (0.2025 g) divides by 100. When compounding batches of capsules, calculate the total API needed by multiplying individual dose by quantity, then convert to appropriate weighing units. Always verify decimal placement when converting between mg and g to ensure accurate compounding.
A 3-year-old male (14 kg) requires an oral suspension of propranolol 4 mg/mL, total volume 75 mL. You have propranolol HCl powder available and will QS with a vehicle. Using a balance and graduated cylinder, how many milligrams of propranolol HCl are needed?
30 mg
3,000 mg
75 mg
300 mg
Explanation
This question assesses pediatric suspension calculations. The key factor is 4 mg/mL × 75 mL = 300 mg of propranolol HCl. The correct answer, 300 mg, matches the vehicle QS. Choice A (30 mg) under by 10; choice C (3,000 mg) over by 10; choice D (75 mg) quarters. Total mg = concentration × mL. Accurate measuring prevents dosing errors.
A dermatologist prescribes a topical cream for a 16-year-old female: clindamycin phosphate 1% (w/w) cream, total 45 g, in an oil-in-water base. You will weigh ingredients on an electronic balance. How many grams of clindamycin phosphate are required?
0.045 g
45 g
0.45 g
4.5 g
Explanation
This question tests w/w concentration for topical creams. The key factor is 1% w/w of 45 g: (1/100) × 45 g = 0.45 g of clindamycin phosphate. The correct answer, 0.45 g, ensures precise formulation in the oil-in-water base. Choice A (0.045 g) is too low by a factor of 10; choice C (4.5 g) too high by 10; choice D (45 g) assumes 100%. Use: (percentage/100) × total weight = grams active. Uniform mixing is key for topical efficacy.
A 6-year-old male (22 kg) is prescribed an oral suspension of amitriptyline 2 mg/mL, total volume 150 mL. You have amitriptyline 25 mg tablets available and will QS with a suspending vehicle. Using a mortar/pestle and graduated cylinder, how many milligrams of amitriptyline are needed for the batch?
75 mg
30 mg
3,000 mg
300 mg
Explanation
This question tests suspension calculations from tablets. The key factor is 2 mg/mL × 150 mL = 300 mg of amitriptyline. The correct answer, 300 mg, accounts for the full volume. Choice A (30 mg) under by 10; choice C (3,000 mg) over by 10; choice D (75 mg) quarters it. Formula: total mg = concentration × volume. Flavored vehicles mask taste for pediatrics.