NAPLEX Flashcards: Dosage Forms And Routes

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Dosage Forms And Routes, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for NAPLEX.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What does the abbreviation DR indicate for an oral solid dosage form?

Answer: Delayed-release; release occurs later (often enteric). Refers to formulations that delay drug release until reaching a specific site, protecting against gastric degradation.

Flashcard 2: Identify the correct instruction for an enteric-coated tablet regarding manipulation.

Answer: Swallow whole; do not crush, chew, or split. Preserves coating integrity to ensure delayed release in intestine, preventing premature drug exposure.

Flashcard 3: Which route is preferred for a medication intended for local effect in the ear canal?

Answer: Otic route. Direct instillation into ear canal targets local inflammation or infection without widespread distribution.

Flashcard 4: Which topical dosage form is an oil-in-water emulsion that is generally less greasy?

Answer: Cream. Oil-in-water composition provides moisturizing effects with lighter texture, suitable for acute dermatoses.

Flashcard 5: Which parenteral route is typically used for small volumes and slow absorption from fat?

Answer: Subcutaneous (SC). Injection into subcutaneous tissue allows gradual absorption, suitable for medications requiring sustained release.

Flashcard 6: Which inhaler device is most likely to require a spacer: MDI or DPI?

Answer: MDI. MDIs benefit from spacers to coordinate inhalation, unlike DPIs which are activated by breath alone.

Flashcard 7: What is the key administration instruction for a sublingual dosage form?

Answer: Place under tongue and allow to dissolve; do not swallow. Allows rapid absorption through sublingual mucosa, bypassing gastrointestinal tract and first-pass metabolism.

Flashcard 8: Which route is commonly used for local nasal effects and may also produce systemic effects?

Answer: Intranasal route. Nasal mucosa allows rapid absorption for both decongestant effects and potential systemic delivery.

Flashcard 9: What is the key administration instruction for a buccal dosage form?

Answer: Place between gum and cheek and allow to dissolve. Enables drug absorption via buccal mucosa, providing an alternative to oral ingestion for better bioavailability.

Flashcard 10: Which oral dosage form is designed to disintegrate in the mouth without water?

Answer: Orally disintegrating tablet (ODT). Formulated for rapid disintegration on the tongue, facilitating administration for patients with swallowing difficulties.

Flashcard 11: Which route is used to place medication directly into the cerebrospinal fluid?

Answer: Intrathecal (IT). Direct delivery to cerebrospinal fluid bypasses blood-brain barrier for targeted central nervous system effects.

Flashcard 12: Which route is preferred for a medication intended for local effect in the eye?

Answer: Ophthalmic (topical ocular) route. Topical application to eye ensures high local concentration with minimal systemic absorption.

Flashcard 13: What is the primary purpose of an enteric coating on a tablet or capsule?

Answer: Prevent gastric release; dissolve in higher intestinal pH. Coating resists acidic stomach environment, ensuring drug release in alkaline intestine to avoid irritation or inactivation.

Flashcard 14: Which route is used for medication intended for local effect in the lungs?

Answer: Inhalation (pulmonary) route. Delivers medication directly to respiratory tract for rapid local action on pulmonary tissues.

Flashcard 15: What is the principal advantage of intravenous (IV) administration?

Answer: Immediate systemic effect; $100\%$ bioavailability. Direct injection into bloodstream ensures complete and rapid drug availability without absorption barriers.

Flashcard 16: What does the abbreviation ER (or XR) indicate for a dosage form?

Answer: Extended-release; prolonged drug release over time. Denotes formulations designed to release drug gradually, extending therapeutic effects and reducing dosing frequency.

Flashcard 17: Which topical dosage form is alcohol- or water-based and dries quickly on skin?

Answer: Gel. Semisolid hydrogel matrix offers cooling sensation and easy spreading without residue on application.

Flashcard 18: Which route bypasses first-pass hepatic metabolism: oral or sublingual?

Answer: Sublingual. Absorption through sublingual mucosa delivers drug directly into systemic circulation, avoiding hepatic metabolism.

Flashcard 19: What is the primary purpose of using a spacer with an MDI?

Answer: Improve lung deposition and reduce oropharyngeal deposition. Spacer slows aerosol velocity, allowing better timing of inhalation and minimizing drug loss in the mouth.

Flashcard 20: What is the key difference between an MDI and a DPI inhaler device?

Answer: MDI is propellant-driven; DPI is breath-actuated powder. MDI uses pressurized gas to disperse liquid, while DPI relies on patient's inhalation to aerosolize dry powder.

Flashcard 21: What is the main advantage of a transdermal patch compared with oral dosing?

Answer: Sustained systemic delivery and avoidance of first-pass metabolism. Transdermal delivery maintains steady plasma levels and circumvents hepatic first-pass, improving efficacy.

Flashcard 22: Which parenteral route is commonly used for depot preparations with prolonged effect?

Answer: Intramuscular (IM). Injection into muscle provides a reservoir for slow release, ideal for long-acting formulations.

Flashcard 23: What does the abbreviation IR indicate for an oral solid dosage form?

Answer: Immediate-release; no modified-release mechanism. Indicates standard formulation where drug is released promptly upon administration without mechanisms to alter release rate.

Flashcard 24: Which topical dosage form is typically the most occlusive and greasy?

Answer: Ointment. High lipid content creates a barrier that enhances hydration and drug penetration on dry skin.

Flashcard 25: Which rectal dosage form is designed to melt or dissolve at body temperature?

Answer: Suppository. Base melts at 37°C, releasing drug for local or systemic absorption via rectal mucosa.