Common Registration Assessment, Part 1
Tiotropium inhaler puffs and monthly capsule supply for the GPhC assessment
Three original practice questions, with the working shown. Read the stated prescription or plan before calculating.
Published 29 October 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.
The NHS lists the usual dose of tiotropium as 1 or 2 puffs taken once a day, at the same time each day.
For capsule inhalers such as Braltus or Spiriva HandiHaler, the NHS states to put a new capsule into the device each time it is used and to inhale from the device twice so the capsule is emptied.
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
- Identify the exact device type, dose count and frequency supplied in the question.
- Treat one capsule as one day of medicine only when the question states once-daily use.
- Count puffs and inhalations separately: a question may ask for either.
- Scale to the stated duration only when a total supply is requested.
- Apply whole-container or complete-day rounding only if the question specifies it.
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 a Spiriva HandiHaler with 1 capsule once a day. How many capsules are needed for a 30-day month?
Show the answer
Answer: 30 capsules
Working: 1 capsule × 30 days = 30 capsules.
Question 2
A fictional plan is 2 puffs from a Respimat inhaler once a day. How many puffs is that per week?
Show the answer
Answer: 14 puffs
Working: 2 puffs × 7 days = 14 puffs per week.
Question 3
A fictional prescription is 1 capsule in a HandiHaler device once a day for 90 days. The inhaler must be used twice per capsule to empty it. How many inhalations are taken over the course?
Show the answer
Answer: 180 inhalations
Working: 1 capsule × 2 inhalations = 2 inhalations per day; 2 × 90 days = 180 inhalations.
NHS: How and when to use tiotropium inhalers
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tiotropium-inhalers/how-and-when-to-use-tiotropium-inhalers/
Where marks are lost
- Using a remembered strength or schedule instead of the stated product.
- Reporting a daily total when the question asks for one dose 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 quantity calculation justify a formulation switch?
No. Follow the formulation and prescription in the exercise. Real switches and dose changes 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.
Practise until the method is automatic
Try 15 free questions with worked answers. No sign-up required.
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See also the formula sheet, the eight sample questions and the approved calculator page.