Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Beclometasone inhaler puffs and daily puff maximums for the GPhC assessment

Three original practice questions, with the working shown. Read the stated prescription or plan before calculating.

Published 30 October 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.

Woman using an inhaler for respiratory relief
Photo from Pexels, used under the Pexels licence. It is a stock image and does not show the exercise.

The NHS lists the usual dose of beclometasone using an inhaler as a preventer for asthma or COPD as 1 or 2 puffs, twice a day.

The NHS states that a prescriber may advise using the inhaler more often, up to 4 times a day, or more than 2 puffs at a time, depending on symptoms and the inhaler used.

The NHS states that if the beclometasone inhaler also contains formoterol and is used as both preventer and reliever, doses can be up to 8 puffs a day in total, and to tell a doctor or nurse if more than 8 puffs a day feel needed.

Each question fixes the values needed for its arithmetic. Write the unit beside every step and distinguish a single dose from a daily total or course supply. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.

The method

  1. Identify the stated regimen: standard preventer, increased frequency, or a combination inhaler used as reliever too.
  2. Calculate one occasion first, then multiply by the stated daily frequency.
  3. Add all uses in the day before comparing with a stated daily maximum such as 8 puffs.
  4. Scale the daily total to the stated duration for supply questions.
  5. Divide an inhaler's stated puff count by the daily use only when the question asks how long it lasts.

Three practice questions

Work each one on paper first, then open the answer. All patients and prescriptions are fictional.

Question 1

A fictional patient uses 2 puffs of a beclometasone inhaler twice a day. How many puffs is that in 30 days?

Show the answer

Answer: 120 puffs

Working: 2 puffs x 2 times a day = 4 puffs a day; 4 x 30 days = 120 puffs.

Question 2

A fictional inhaler contains 200 puffs. At 2 puffs twice a day, how many days will it last?

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Answer: 50 days

Working: 2 puffs x 2 times a day = 4 puffs a day; 200 puffs / 4 puffs = 50 days.

Question 3

A fictional patient uses a beclometasone and formoterol inhaler as a preventer at 2 puffs twice a day, and also as a reliever. Within the stated maximum of 8 puffs a day, how many reliever puffs remain on a day the preventer doses are taken?

Show the answer

Answer: 4 puffs

Working: Preventer use: 2 puffs x 2 = 4 puffs; 8 puffs maximum - 4 puffs = 4 puffs remaining.

NHS: How and when to use beclometasone inhalers

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/beclometasone-inhalers/how-and-when-to-use-beclometasone-inhalers/

Where marks are lost

  • Applying the 8 puffs a day maximum to a plain beclometasone inhaler rather than the combination used as preventer and reliever.
  • Reporting a daily total when the question asks for one occasion or the course.
  • Treating arithmetic as evidence that a real prescription is clinically suitable.

Frequently asked questions

Are these official assessment questions?

No. They are original revision exercises, not official GPhC questions and not for patient care.

Can a puff count justify using the inhaler more often?

No. Follow the regimen in the exercise. Real changes to inhaler frequency need a prescriber or asthma nurse.

How should I check the answer?

Check the requested unit, then work backwards from the quantity to the stated dose and duration.

Sources

The questions above are original and use fictional patients and prescriptions. PreRegExamPrep is not affiliated with or endorsed by the General Pharmaceutical Council.

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More calculation topics

See also the formula sheet, the eight sample questions and the approved calculator page.