Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Nicorandil tablet strengths and twice daily doses for the GPhC assessment

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

Published 1 November 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.

Stethoscope hanging around the neck of a medical professional in green scrubs
Photo from Pexels, used under the Pexels licence. It is a stock image and does not show the exercise.

The NHS describes nicorandil as a medicine used to treat and prevent angina.

The manufacturer's UK product information lists 10 mg and 20 mg scored tablets, with a usual starting dose of 10 mg twice a day and a usual range of 10 mg to 20 mg twice a day.

The same product information sets a maximum of 40 mg twice a day and a lower start of 5 mg twice a day for people prone to headache, using half of a scored 10 mg tablet.

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 exact strength and frequency stated in the question.
  2. Double a twice daily dose to get the daily total before scaling up.
  3. Count half tablets only when the question states a scored tablet is split.
  4. Calculate one day first, then scale to the stated number of days.
  5. Keep milligrams and tablets separate; convert only if the question asks.

Three practice questions

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

Question 1

A fictional patient takes nicorandil 10 mg twice a day. How many milligrams is that each day and each week?

Show the answer

Answer: 20 mg each day; 140 mg each week

Working: 10 mg x 2 doses = 20 mg a day; 20 mg x 7 days = 140 mg.

Question 2

A fictional prescription reads nicorandil 10 mg twice a day. How many 10 mg tablets should be supplied for 28 days?

Show the answer

Answer: 56 tablets

Working: 2 tablets x 28 days = 56 tablets.

Question 3

A fictional patient prone to headache starts on 5 mg twice a day by halving scored 10 mg tablets. How many whole tablets does a 14-day supply need?

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Answer: 14 tablets

Working: 5 mg is half of a 10 mg tablet; 2 half-tablets a day = 1 whole tablet a day; 1 tablet x 14 days = 14 tablets.

NHS: Nicorandil

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/nicorandil/

Where marks are lost

  • Reporting the single dose instead of the daily total for a twice daily schedule.
  • Counting a scored half tablet as a whole tablet in a supply calculation.
  • 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 supply calculation justify changing a real dose?

No. Follow the steps in the exercise. Real dose changes are gradual and need clinical checks.

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