Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Salmeterol inhaler actuations 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 12 November 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.

A woman holding a white dry powder inhaler against a plain white background
Photo from Pexels, used under the Pexels licence. It is a stock image and does not show the exercise.

The manufacturer's UK product information for Serevent Evohaler states that each actuation delivers 25 micrograms of salmeterol, the usual dose is 2 puffs twice a day, and in severe cases up to 4 puffs twice a day.

The same information states that one pressurised container delivers 120 actuations.

The product information for Serevent Accuhaler states that each blister contains 50 micrograms, and the usual dose is 1 inhalation twice a day, rising to 2 inhalations twice a day in more severe cases.

Each question fixes the values needed for its arithmetic. Write the unit beside every step and keep actuations, micrograms and days in separate lines. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.

The method

  1. Identify the device and the micrograms it delivers per actuation or inhalation.
  2. Multiply the puffs or inhalations per dose by the twice-daily frequency for the daily count.
  3. Multiply the daily count by the strength for the daily micrograms.
  4. Divide the stated 120 actuations by the daily actuation count for the days one inhaler lasts.
  5. Keep the Evohaler 25 microgram strength and the Accuhaler 50 microgram strength in separate working.

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 Serevent Evohaler at the usual dose of 2 puffs twice a day. How many micrograms of salmeterol is that per day?

Show the answer

Answer: 100 micrograms per day

Working: 2 puffs x 25 micrograms = 50 micrograms per dose; 50 micrograms x 2 doses = 100 micrograms a day.

Question 2

The same fictional patient continues at 2 puffs twice a day. How many days does one Evohaler of 120 actuations last?

Show the answer

Answer: 30 days

Working: 2 puffs x 2 doses = 4 actuations a day; 120 actuations / 4 = 30 days.

Question 3

A fictional patient is prescribed Serevent Evohaler at the higher dose of 4 puffs twice a day. How many micrograms per day is that, and how many days does a 120-actuation inhaler last at this dose?

Show the answer

Answer: 200 micrograms per day; 15 days

Working: 4 puffs x 25 micrograms = 100 micrograms per dose; 100 x 2 = 200 micrograms a day. 4 puffs x 2 = 8 actuations a day; 120 / 8 = 15 days.

eMC SmPC: Serevent Evohaler 25 micrograms per actuation pressurised inhalation suspension

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/168/smpc

Where marks are lost

  • Using the Accuhaler 50 microgram strength in an Evohaler calculation, or the other way round.
  • Counting puffs per dose but forgetting the twice-daily doubling before working out days.
  • Dividing 120 actuations by the per-dose count instead of the per-day count.

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 salmeterol dose?

No. Follow the stated prescription in the exercise. Real dosing follows the prescriber and the product information for the named inhaler.

How should I check the answer?

Name the device strength first, multiply puffs by micrograms for the dose, double for twice a day, then divide 120 actuations by the daily actuation count for days.

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

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More calculation topics

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