What is the primary use of a graduated cylinder in a pharmacy?

The primary use of a graduated cylinder in a pharmacy is to accurately measure liquid volumes. Graduated cylinders are specifically designed to provide precise volume measurements, making them essential tools in pharmaceutical settings where the correct dosage of liquids is crucial for patient safety and medication efficacy. Their tall, narrow shape and marked graduation lines allow for accurate reading of liquid levels, ensuring that pharmacists can prepare medications safely and according to prescription requirements. This precision is vital because even small inaccuracies in liquid measurement can lead to significant variations in dosages, affecting treatment outcomes. The other options do not align with the intended primary use of a graduated cylinder; for example, mixing solid compounds or measuring powders is typically done with other tools that better suit those specific tasks, such as mortar and pestles or analytical balances for powders.