Gerald is currently in the compounding lab and looking for the best capsule size he can use to fill 1.4 g of sodium carbonate powder in. Which of the following capsule sizes he can use?
2
00
1
000
The Correct Answer is E
Hard gelatin capsules are standardized shells used in pharmaceutical compounding to enclose solid or semi-solid medications. Capsule sizes are identified by numerical codes ranging from 5 (smallest) to 000 (largest). The filling capacity depends on the bulk density of the powder and the degree of packing. Selecting the correct size is vital for ensuring dosage accuracy and patient compliance during medication administration.
Rationale:
A. Size 2 capsules are relatively small, with a typical volume capacity of approximately 0.37 mL. Depending on the powder's density, they usually hold only 200 to 300 mg of material. They are entirely insufficient for a high-dose requirement of 1.4 g of sodium carbonate, requiring the patient to take multiple small doses.
B. Size 00 capsules are large, holding about 0.91 mL of volume, but they generally cap out at approximately 600 to 900 mg for most powders. While they are common for supplements, 1.4 g exceeds the physical volume available in a single 00 shell. Gerald would need a larger vessel to accommodate the 1400 mg dose.
C. Size 1 capsules are intermediate in size with a volume of about 0.50 mL. They typically hold 300 to 500 mg of powder, which is far below the therapeutic dose requested in the scenario. Using this size would necessitate four or five separate capsules, which is inefficient in a compounding lab setting.
D. Size 0 capsules are a standard large size for adults, holding approximately 0.68 mL. They generally accommodate 400 to 600 mg of powder depending on density. For 1.4 g of sodium carbonate, a size 0 capsule is physically too small to contain the bulk mass of the chemical without excessive compression.
E. Size 000 is the largest capsule size available for human use, with a volume capacity of approximately 1.37 mL. It is the only size capable of holding a mass as large as 1.4 g (1400 mg) of a standard density powder in a single unit. This maximizes dosage efficiency and ensures all the powder fits within the gelatin shell.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The urea cycle is the primary metabolic pathway for the detoxification of ammonia generated from amino acid catabolism. Because free ammonia is highly neurotoxic, the liver converts it into a water-soluble, neutral compound suitable for renal clearance. This process is essential for maintaining nitrogen balance within the human body. Efficient excretion prevents the accumulation of toxic nitrogenous wastes that could lead to encephalopathy or systemic metabolic alkalosis.
Rationale:
A. Citrulline is an intermediate metabolite within the urea cycle itself, formed from the reaction of carbamoyl phosphate and ornithine. It is not an excretory product but a transporter of nitrogen atoms within the mitochondrial matrix and cytosol. Under normal physiological conditions, citrulline is consumed by argininosuccinate synthetase to continue the cycle. It does not represent a significant portion of urinary nitrogen output.
B. Uric acid is the final breakdown product of purine metabolism in humans. While it is excreted in the urine, it represents only a small fraction of total nitrogenous waste. Excessive levels can lead to gout or renal calculi, but it is not the primary vehicle for disposing of the vast majority of dietary nitrogen. The bulk of proteolysis products are handled through a different enzymatic pathway.
C. Urea is the principal nitrogenous constituent of urine, accounting for over 90% of nitrogen excretion in healthy adults. It is synthesized in the liver from ammonia and carbon dioxide through a sequence of five enzymatic reactions. This molecule is highly soluble and possesses a low toxicity profile, allowing it to be safely concentrated by the kidneys. It serves as the definitive marker for nitrogenous waste clearance.
D. Glutamate acts as a key intracellular nitrogen donor and a central hub for transamination reactions. It collects amino groups from various amino acids to deliver them to the urea cycle via oxidative deamination. Glutamate is vital for intracellular signaling and metabolism but is not a major excretory form of nitrogen. It is typically conserved and recycled to maintain metabolic homeostasis.
E. Ammonia is a direct product of amino acid deamination and is extremely toxic to the central nervous system. Small amounts are excreted in the urine to help regulate acid-base balance, but it is never the primary form of nitrogen disposal. The body rapidly converts the majority of ammonia into urea to avoid hyperammonemia. High levels of urinary ammonia usually indicate a response to metabolic acidosis.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Step 1. Define the 2% concentration.
2% w/w means 2 g of drug in 100 g of ointment.
Step 2. Convert to mg per 100 g.
2 g x 1,000 mg/g = 2,000 mg per 100 g.
Step 3. Calculate mg per 1 gram.
2,000 mg / 100 g =
20 mg per 1 gram.
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