Question breakdown
You are formulation scientist working in a pharmaceutical company. Your non-pharmacist colleague asks you to provide information about the formulation of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Explain in detail the application, the formulation consideration, the choice of excipients, and the methods to maintain the stability of TPN formulation.
15 marks
This is an essay type question. The examiner has asked for the following:
- Explain in detail
- Application of TPN
- Formulation consideration
- Choice of excipients
- Methods to maintain stability
If the examiner does not break down the question into subsections you need to do it yourself. Once you break it down the question becomes less daunting and it should be easier to work out what key words or phrases the examiner is looking for and get 2-4 points for each above heading.
I have uploaded a hand out from the American Soc of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition as a reference. The article from the 2013 Scientific World Journal is also very good.
Refs
2013 Scientific World Journal - Pharmaceutical Point of View on Parenteral Nutrition