What is the purpose of a geometric dilution technique when compounding a powder mixture?

To ensure uniform distribution of a small amount of drug throughout a larger diluent

To remove the moisture from the powder before it is mixed with the diluent

To mix equal amounts of two drugs in the first step and finish the process

To reduce the particle size of a drug before it is mixed with a base

When compounding an ointment, which piece of equipment is used to ensure thorough mixing and uniform drug distribution?

Graduated cylinder and stirring rod

Pharmacy counter with medicine bottles, a mortar and pestle and shelves of stock

Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)/Topics

Topic 6 of 6

Compounding Basics practice questions

Questions on Compounding Basics fall under Order entry and processing, which is 22.5% of the PTCE Content Outline from PTCB.

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2 free with answers

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Compounding basics1 of 2
What is the purpose of a geometric dilution technique when compounding a powder mixture?
The answer
Answer: A. Geometric dilution starts with the small amount of drug and an equal amount of diluent, mixes them, then adds diluent equal to the mixture each time, so a potent drug ends up evenly spread. It is not a drying step for removing moisture. It does not stop after one equal-parts mix; the doubling repeats until all diluent is in. Cutting particle size is trituration, a separate step.
Source: PTCE Content Outline — Medications: Compounding Basics
Compounding basics2 of 2
When compounding an ointment, which piece of equipment is used to ensure thorough mixing and uniform drug distribution?
The answer
Answer: A. An ointment slab (pill tile) and spatula let the compounder spread, fold and shear the ointment so the drug spreads evenly through the base. A mortar and pestle mainly reduces powder particle size and is awkward and wasteful for stiff ointments. A graduated cylinder and stirring rod measure and mix liquids. An analytical balance weighs ingredients but does no mixing.
Source: PTCE Content Outline — Medications: Compounding Basics

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What the 17 questions cite in the PTCE Content Outline

Medications: Compounding Basics5
Pharmacy Practice: Compounding Basics5
Compounding Basics: Beyond-Use Dates2
Compounding Basics: Calculations and Beyond-Use Dates1
Compounding: Calculations and Formulations1

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How hard it gets

3 hard questions, 9 medium, 5 easy

Easy · recall a rule or number
Medium · apply it to a situation
Hard · tell close answers apart

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Quick answers on Compounding Basics

How many Compounding Basics questions are on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)?

QuizCram covers 17 practice questions in the Compounding Basics domain, mapped directly to the official examination blueprint.

What is the passing score for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)?

The benchmark score is 75% (90 items (80 scored + 10 unscored) · 110-minute limit · 1,400 scaled score).

Are these Compounding Basics questions written from official sources?

Yes. Every question is written from the official source for this exam (the handbook, test plan or exam objectives), and every answer carries a note naming the section it comes from.