Spring 2026 PHAR 7202 Notes

Pharmacology Exam Review Notes

General Guidelines for Exam Preparation

  • The questions prepared are meant for review and are not exhaustive of the material.
  • Comprehensive study is advised for EXAM #3 and future career as a pharmacist.

Topic: Radioactivity and Nuclear Reactions

Radioactive Particles and Decay
  • Q25: An alpha particle is identical to a:
      - A) proton
      - B) neutron
      - C) helium nucleus (Correct Answer)
      - D) electron
Types of Nuclear Reactions
  • Q26: Identify the type of nuclear reaction:
      - A) Alpha radiation (Correct Answer)
      - B) Beta minus decay
      - C) Beta positive decay
      - D) Gamma decay
Calculating Half-life
  • Q27: The disintegration constant (B6) for 55Fe^{55}Fe is 0.2665extyears−10.2665 ext{ years}^{-1}. The half-life can be calculated using the formula:
      - t_{1/2} = rac{0.693}{ ext{λ}}
      - Solution: t_{1/2} = rac{0.693}{0.2665} results in approximately 2.6 years.
Radioactive Activity Calculations
  • Q28: A sample has a half-life of 10 days and starts with 250 mCi of radioactivity. After 23 days, the activity can be found using the equation:
      - At=A0e−extλtA_t = A_0 e^{- ext{λ}t}
      - Where:
        - AtA_t = remaining activity after time tt
        - A0A_0 = initial activity
        - ext{λ} = rac{0.693}{ ext{half-life}} = 0.0693 ext{ days}^{-1}
        - Thus, calculated activity is approximately 50.8 mCi.

Topic: Radioisotopes and Their Properties

Understanding Half-life
  • Q29: Yttrium-90 decays to Zirconium-90. Identify the reaction type:
      - A) Alpha radiation
      - B) Beta minus radiation (Correct Answer)
      - C) Gamma radiation
      - D) Neutron radiation
      - E) Beta plus radiation
Definition of Half-life
  • Q30: The half-life of a radionuclide is:
      - A) half of the time taken for half of the radionuclide's atoms to decay (Correct Answer)
      - B) the time taken for all atoms to decay
      - C) half of the time taken for all atoms to decay
      - D) the time taken for half of the radionuclide's atoms to decay
Characteristics of Radioisotopes
  • Q31: Common radioisotopes are characterized by:
      - A) short half-lives, do not occur in nature, and cannot be produced through nuclear reactions
      - B) short half-lives, found in nature, and produced through nuclear reactions
      - C) long half-lives, do not occur in nature, and produced through nuclear reactions
      - D) short half-lives, do not occur in nature, and produced through nuclear reactions (Correct Answer)
Principles of PET Scans
  • Q32: The basis of PET scan imaging is:
      - A) use of X-ray energy for imaging
      - B) use of radiowave energy for imaging
      - C) use of positron and gamma energy (Correct Answer)
      - D) use of electron and beta minus energy
      - E) use of the Auger effect

Topic: Rheology and Viscosity

Measurement of Viscosity
  • Q34: Viscosity in SI units for Ora-Blend SF (1000 cp at 25 ºC):
      - 1 mPa.s = 1 cp. Converting gives:
      - 1000extcp=1000imes10−3extPa.s=1.0extPa.s(SIunit)1000 ext{ cp} = 1000 imes 10^{-3} ext{ Pa.s} = 1.0 ext{ Pa.s} (SI unit)
Using a Viscometer
  • Q35: Calculate the viscosity of carbon disulfide at 20 ºC:
      - rac{
    u_s}{
    u_ ext{ref}} = rac{
    ho_s t_s}{
    ho_ ext{ref} t_ ext{ref}}
      - Given the constants, calculate to find <br/>us=0.363extcp<br /> u_s = 0.363 ext{ cp}.
Dynamic Viscosity Units
  • Q36: Dynamic viscosity units:
      - I. Stoke (St)
      - II. Poise (P)
      - III. Pascal second (Pa.s)
      - Correct answer: E) if I, II, and III are correct.
Flow Patterns
  • Q38: Identified flow characteristics of a medication shaken in a pharmacy, description involves:
      - A type exhibiting thixotropic flow (B) or antithixotropic flow, indicating an increase in fluid mobility post shear stress application.

Topic: Emulsions and Surface Tension

Surface Tension Calculations
  • Q42: For p-aminobenzoic acid solution, calculate surface tension:
      - ext{γ} = rac{1989 ext{ dynes} imes 0.920}{2 imes 12.47} = 73.37 ext{ dyne/cm}
Span and Tween Calculations
  • Q43: For desired HLB of 12:
      - Find proportions of Span 80 (HLB = 4.3) and Tween 80 (HLB = 15).
      - Required: 0.72 g Tween 80 + 0.28 g Span 80.

Topic: General Principles of Flow,

Emulsion Stabilization
  • Q44: Increase stability in oil-water emulsion with appropriate methods:
      - Increase specific surface area of dispersed phase (oil droplets).
      - Decrease interfacial tension between oil and water.

Zeta Potential and Particle Behavior

Zeta Potential Definition

  • Q53: Zeta potential refers to:
      - B) The repulsive forces between two particles (Correct Answer).
Settling Rate Calculations
  • Q46: Settling rate of particles in suspensions can be influenced:
      - Larger particles settle faster; increased viscosity decreases settling rate.
Rank Settling Rates
  • Q47: Rank the sedimentation rates for different particle sizes:
      - As per Stokes' Law:
      - Rate increases with the square of the particle size.

Understanding Surfactants and Bioavailability

Surfactant Use in Dosage Forms
  • Q50: Addition of surfactant to improve bioavailability via:
      - D) Improved wetting and spreading (Correct Answer).

Micromeritics and Particle Size

Properties of Powders
  • Q59: True density measurement methods. Example:
      - B) Helium pycnometry (Correct Answer).
Angle of Repose Calculation
  • Q3: Given the dimensions, calculate angle of repose:
      - Final calculation: heta=32extoheta = 32^ ext{o}

Conclusion

  • These notes summarize the core principles and problem-solving strategies necessary for pharmacy students concerning rheology, radioactivity, surfactant chemistry, and particle behavior. Comprehensive understanding of these principles will be invaluable for pharmacy practice and examinations.