Medications encased in a gelatin shell that are taken by mouth are called:

• A. Caplets
• B. Tablets
• C. Pills
• D. Capsules

Answer: (D)

The key idea is identifying the dosage form by how the medicine is packaged. A capsule is a dosage form where the active ingredient is enclosed in a gelatin shell, which is designed to dissolve in the stomach or intestines after swallowing. Capsules can be hard shells with dry powder or pellets or soft shells with a liquid fill. This description specifically matches capsules.

Caplets are just a smooth, elongated tablet, not a gelatin shell. Tablets are compressed solid doses, not gelatin-encased. Pills is a historical term that doesn’t specify gelatin encapsulation. So the description fits capsules because the defining feature is the gelatin shell.