NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

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Ace your North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) with our comprehensive practice test. Features include interactive flashcards, multiple-choice questions, with detailed hints and explanations. Fast-track your pharmacy career today!

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What is the role of an emulsifier (emulgent)?

To grind solids
To increase the viscosity of a liquid
To keep liquid droplets dispersed throughout the liquid vehicle
To sterilize surfaces

The correct answer is: To keep liquid droplets dispersed throughout the liquid vehicle

An emulsifier, also known as an emulgent, is a substance that helps to create and maintain a stable emulsion. An emulsion is a mixture of two or more immiscible liquids, such as oil and water, that are dispersed throughout each other. Therefore, the role of an emulsifier is to keep these liquid droplets dispersed throughout the liquid vehicle, preventing them from separating and maintaining a uniform consistency. Option A is incorrect because the role of an emulsifier is not to grind solids. Option B is incorrect because the role of an emulsifier is not to increase the viscosity of a liquid. Option D is incorrect because the role of an emulsifier is not to sterilize surfaces. These functions are performed by other substances and are not related to emulsifiers.