HOSA Pharmacology Competitive Event ACTUAL
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
and Answers | Aligned to HOSA Guidelines | Grade A
Target | Pass Guaranteed
Section 1: Pharmacology Fundamentals (15 questions)
Q1: Which term refers to the study of how the body affects a drug (absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion)?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics [CORRECT]
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Pharmacognosy
Correct Answer: B
Q2: A physician orders 500 mg of a medication. The pharmacy supplies tablets labeled 250 mg
each. How many tablets should the patient take?
A. 1 tablet
B. 1.5 tablets
C. 2 tablets [CORRECT]
D. 2.5 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Q3: Which route of administration provides the fastest onset of drug action?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous [CORRECT]
D. Intramuscular
Correct Answer: C
Q4: The generic name of a drug is also known as its:
A. Brand name
,B. Trade name
C. Nonproprietary name [CORRECT]
D. Proprietary name
Correct Answer: C
Q5: A patient weighs 44 lbs. What is their weight in kilograms (rounded to nearest whole
number)?
A. 19 kg
B. 20 kg [CORRECT]
C. 97 kg
D. 88 kg
Correct Answer: B
Q6: Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver [CORRECT]
C. Lungs
D. Heart
Correct Answer: B
Q7: The therapeutic index of a drug is defined as the ratio between:
A. The effective dose and the lethal dose
B. The toxic dose and the effective dose [CORRECT]
C. The loading dose and maintenance dose
D. The oral dose and IV dose
Correct Answer: B
Q8: A medication order reads: "Give 0.5 g PO now." The available tablets are 250 mg each. How
many tablets should be administered?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets [CORRECT]
, D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Q9: Which factor would INCREASE the absorption of an orally administered drug?
A. Taking with food
B. Increased gastric emptying time
C. Increased blood flow to the GI tract [CORRECT]
D. High molecular weight of the drug
Correct Answer: C
Q10: The "first-pass effect" refers to:
A. The initial side effect experienced by patients
B. The metabolism of a drug by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation [CORRECT]
C. The first dose of a medication given to a patient
D. The rapid absorption of sublingual medications
Correct Answer: B
Q11: A pediatric patient requires a dose of 5 mg/kg of medication. The child weighs 30 kg. The
medication is available as 50 mg/mL. How many mL should be administered?
A. 2 mL
B. 3 mL [CORRECT]
C. 5 mL
D. 6 mL
Correct Answer: B
Q12: Which suffix commonly indicates a beta-blocker medication?
A. -pril
B. -sartan
C. -olol [CORRECT]
D. -dipine
Correct Answer: C
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
and Answers | Aligned to HOSA Guidelines | Grade A
Target | Pass Guaranteed
Section 1: Pharmacology Fundamentals (15 questions)
Q1: Which term refers to the study of how the body affects a drug (absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion)?
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics [CORRECT]
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Pharmacognosy
Correct Answer: B
Q2: A physician orders 500 mg of a medication. The pharmacy supplies tablets labeled 250 mg
each. How many tablets should the patient take?
A. 1 tablet
B. 1.5 tablets
C. 2 tablets [CORRECT]
D. 2.5 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Q3: Which route of administration provides the fastest onset of drug action?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous [CORRECT]
D. Intramuscular
Correct Answer: C
Q4: The generic name of a drug is also known as its:
A. Brand name
,B. Trade name
C. Nonproprietary name [CORRECT]
D. Proprietary name
Correct Answer: C
Q5: A patient weighs 44 lbs. What is their weight in kilograms (rounded to nearest whole
number)?
A. 19 kg
B. 20 kg [CORRECT]
C. 97 kg
D. 88 kg
Correct Answer: B
Q6: Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver [CORRECT]
C. Lungs
D. Heart
Correct Answer: B
Q7: The therapeutic index of a drug is defined as the ratio between:
A. The effective dose and the lethal dose
B. The toxic dose and the effective dose [CORRECT]
C. The loading dose and maintenance dose
D. The oral dose and IV dose
Correct Answer: B
Q8: A medication order reads: "Give 0.5 g PO now." The available tablets are 250 mg each. How
many tablets should be administered?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets [CORRECT]
, D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Q9: Which factor would INCREASE the absorption of an orally administered drug?
A. Taking with food
B. Increased gastric emptying time
C. Increased blood flow to the GI tract [CORRECT]
D. High molecular weight of the drug
Correct Answer: C
Q10: The "first-pass effect" refers to:
A. The initial side effect experienced by patients
B. The metabolism of a drug by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation [CORRECT]
C. The first dose of a medication given to a patient
D. The rapid absorption of sublingual medications
Correct Answer: B
Q11: A pediatric patient requires a dose of 5 mg/kg of medication. The child weighs 30 kg. The
medication is available as 50 mg/mL. How many mL should be administered?
A. 2 mL
B. 3 mL [CORRECT]
C. 5 mL
D. 6 mL
Correct Answer: B
Q12: Which suffix commonly indicates a beta-blocker medication?
A. -pril
B. -sartan
C. -olol [CORRECT]
D. -dipine
Correct Answer: C
