Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Fusidic acid cream applications and eye drop doses 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 applying cream to her forearm
Photo from Pexels, used under the Pexels licence. It is a stock image and does not show the exercise.

The NHS states that fusidic acid cream or ointment is usually put on 3 or 4 times a day, and that a cream which also contains a steroid is usually put on twice a day.

The NHS lists the usual eye drop dose as 1 drop put into the eye twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

The NHS advises washing hands before and usually after using the cream or ointment, and following a doctor's advice if dressings or bandages cover the skin.

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 formulation: plain cream or ointment, a steroid combination, or eye drops.
  2. Apply the stated daily frequency for that formulation only.
  3. Calculate one day first, then scale to the stated course length.
  4. For drop totals, multiply drops per occasion by occasions per day by days.
  5. Keep applications, drops and days as separate units.

Three practice questions

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

Question 1

A fictional patient applies fusidic acid cream 3 times a day for 7 days. How many applications is the course?

Show the answer

Answer: 21 applications

Working: 3 applications x 7 days = 21 applications.

Question 2

A fictional patient uses fusidic acid eye drops, 1 drop twice a day, in one eye for 7 days. How many drops is that in total?

Show the answer

Answer: 14 drops

Working: 1 drop x 2 times a day = 2 drops a day; 2 x 7 days = 14 drops.

Question 3

A fictional patient uses 1 drop twice a day in both eyes for 5 days. How many drops is that in total?

Show the answer

Answer: 20 drops

Working: 1 drop x 2 eyes x 2 times a day = 4 drops a day; 4 x 5 days = 20 drops.

NHS: How and when to use fusidic acid

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/fusidic-acid/how-and-when-to-use-fusidic-acid/

Where marks are lost

  • Using the 3 or 4 times a day pattern for a steroid combination cream.
  • Counting one eye when the question treats both eyes.
  • Treating arithmetic as evidence that a real course 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 an application count justify using the cream more often?

No. Follow the frequency in the exercise. Real changes to antibiotic treatment need a prescriber's advice.

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.