Common Registration Assessment, Part 1
Norethisterone 5mg tablets and period delay courses for the GPhC assessment
Three original practice questions, with the working shown. Read the stated prescription or plan before calculating.
Published 5 November 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.
The manufacturer's UK product information for Utovlan 5 mg tablets states that for postponement of menstruation the dose is one 5 mg tablet three times daily, starting three days before the expected onset of menstruation, and that menstruation usually follows within three days of finishing the treatment.
The same information states that for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, polymenorrhoea, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhoea and metropathia haemorrhagia the dose is one 5 mg tablet three times daily for 10 days.
It also states that the tablets are for oral administration.
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 a supply period. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.
The method
- Identify the tablet strength and the number of doses each day.
- Multiply the tablet strength by the daily dose count for the daily milligram total.
- Multiply the daily tablet count by the stated number of days for a supply quantity.
- Keep milligrams and tablets separate; convert only when 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 norethisterone 5 mg three times daily. How many milligrams is this each day?
Show the answer
Answer: 15 mg
Working: 5 mg x 3 doses each day = 15 mg a day.
Question 2
A fictional patient starts norethisterone 5 mg three times daily three days before a period is expected, and continues for 14 days in total. How many 5 mg tablets are needed?
Show the answer
Answer: 42 tablets
Working: 3 tablets each day x 14 days = 42 tablets.
Question 3
A fictional prescription for norethisterone 5 mg three times daily runs for the 10-day course stated for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. How many tablets should be supplied?
Show the answer
Answer: 30 tablets
Working: 3 tablets each day x 10 days = 30 tablets.
eMC SmPC: Utovlan Tablets
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1717/smpc
Where marks are lost
- Using a once-daily count when the stated course is three times daily.
- Confusing the start day with an extra day of treatment.
- Forgetting to multiply 3 tablets each day by the stated course length.
Frequently asked questions
Are these official assessment questions?
No. They are original revision exercises, not official GPhC questions and not for patient care.
Does this calculation decide a real norethisterone dose?
No. Follow the stated prescription in the exercise. Real dosing checks include indication, start day and course length.
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.
Practise until the method is automatic
Try 15 free questions with worked answers. No sign-up required.
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