IPSA MOCK EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS!
Which of the following is an example of an o/w emulsion that is not greasy and can be
washed off with water?
A. Cream
B. Ointment
Answer: A
Explanation: An ointment is w/o emulsion that is greasy and not washable with water
What do we call the process by which a substance is created when a powder is combined
with a wetting agent to form a smooth paste?
A. Geometric dilution
B. Levigation
Answer: B
Explanation: Geometric dilution is when you start with an ingredient in the smallest quantity,
then add other ingredients in the order of quantity required by approximately doubling the
portion being mixed with each dilution
How much methanol should be used to prepare this prescription?
Menthol 0.8%
Alcohol qs. 60 mL
A. 0.48 g
B. 0.8 g
C. 4.8 g
D. 1.48 g
,Answer: A
Explanation: 60 x 0.008 = 0.48 g
True/False: The ointment we made in lab is an example of a USP 795 product, meaning it is
good for 90 days (or 30 days to use it without a preservative)
Answer: True
Which of the following is considered an active ingredient?
A. Triamcinolone USP Micronized
B. Propylene Glycol
C. Aquaphilic Ointment
Answer: A
Explanation: Propylene Glycol is the wetting agent, Aquaphilic Ointment is the base
Which of the following are things we should tell a patient to expect during a throat swab?
A. You may cough or gag, but the test is not painful and will only take a couple of seconds.
You should try and resist the urge to close your mouth when testing
B. Close your eyes to feel less anxious
C. Say AHHHH (A short ah, ah, ah is more effective than a long ahhhhhhhh)
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: These are all things to do.
Also, make sure not to touch the tongue, lips, or side of the mouth to avoid possible
contamination. As a tip, you can also hold a tongue depressor in your non-dominant hand and the
swab in the dominant hand
, True/False: In a throat swab, you only swab along the arches of the tonsils once in one
direction
Answer: False
Explanation: You swab twice (back and forth). The uvula should move out of the way.
Which of the following is not a characteristic of the anterior nasal swab?
A. Tell the patient this will be extremely painful and they will experience so much pain, oh
no
B. Insert the tip of the swab into the nostril approximately 1/2 - 3/4 inch
C. Rotate the swab in a circular path against the nasal wall about 5 times
D. Sample both nostrils using the same swab
Answer: A
Explanation: Tell them that this should not be painful
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a Midturbinate Nasal Swab?
A. Tell the patient they may experience discomfort or tingling, but it should not be painful
B. Don't ask for a preferred nostril (you will do both)
C. Insert the swab at a 45 degree angle
D. Insert the swab until resistance is met, then lift the swab parallel to the floor and insert
one more inch (approximately 2 inches in from the tip of the nose)
E. Rotate the swab in a quick half turn and remove parallel to the floor
Answer: B
Explanation: Ask for a preferred nostril. You only swab one nostril
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a Nasopharyngeal Swab?
A. Tell the patient they may experience a stinging/burning sensation, similar to water in the
CORRECT ANSWERS!
Which of the following is an example of an o/w emulsion that is not greasy and can be
washed off with water?
A. Cream
B. Ointment
Answer: A
Explanation: An ointment is w/o emulsion that is greasy and not washable with water
What do we call the process by which a substance is created when a powder is combined
with a wetting agent to form a smooth paste?
A. Geometric dilution
B. Levigation
Answer: B
Explanation: Geometric dilution is when you start with an ingredient in the smallest quantity,
then add other ingredients in the order of quantity required by approximately doubling the
portion being mixed with each dilution
How much methanol should be used to prepare this prescription?
Menthol 0.8%
Alcohol qs. 60 mL
A. 0.48 g
B. 0.8 g
C. 4.8 g
D. 1.48 g
,Answer: A
Explanation: 60 x 0.008 = 0.48 g
True/False: The ointment we made in lab is an example of a USP 795 product, meaning it is
good for 90 days (or 30 days to use it without a preservative)
Answer: True
Which of the following is considered an active ingredient?
A. Triamcinolone USP Micronized
B. Propylene Glycol
C. Aquaphilic Ointment
Answer: A
Explanation: Propylene Glycol is the wetting agent, Aquaphilic Ointment is the base
Which of the following are things we should tell a patient to expect during a throat swab?
A. You may cough or gag, but the test is not painful and will only take a couple of seconds.
You should try and resist the urge to close your mouth when testing
B. Close your eyes to feel less anxious
C. Say AHHHH (A short ah, ah, ah is more effective than a long ahhhhhhhh)
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: These are all things to do.
Also, make sure not to touch the tongue, lips, or side of the mouth to avoid possible
contamination. As a tip, you can also hold a tongue depressor in your non-dominant hand and the
swab in the dominant hand
, True/False: In a throat swab, you only swab along the arches of the tonsils once in one
direction
Answer: False
Explanation: You swab twice (back and forth). The uvula should move out of the way.
Which of the following is not a characteristic of the anterior nasal swab?
A. Tell the patient this will be extremely painful and they will experience so much pain, oh
no
B. Insert the tip of the swab into the nostril approximately 1/2 - 3/4 inch
C. Rotate the swab in a circular path against the nasal wall about 5 times
D. Sample both nostrils using the same swab
Answer: A
Explanation: Tell them that this should not be painful
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a Midturbinate Nasal Swab?
A. Tell the patient they may experience discomfort or tingling, but it should not be painful
B. Don't ask for a preferred nostril (you will do both)
C. Insert the swab at a 45 degree angle
D. Insert the swab until resistance is met, then lift the swab parallel to the floor and insert
one more inch (approximately 2 inches in from the tip of the nose)
E. Rotate the swab in a quick half turn and remove parallel to the floor
Answer: B
Explanation: Ask for a preferred nostril. You only swab one nostril
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a Nasopharyngeal Swab?
A. Tell the patient they may experience a stinging/burning sensation, similar to water in the
