HOSA Pharmacology Competitive Event ACTUAL
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
and Answers | Aligned to HOSA Guidelines | Grade A
Target | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION I: PHARMACOLOGY FUNDAMENTALS (Questions 1-15)
Q1: Which term describes the movement of a drug from the site of administration into the
bloodstream?
A. Distribution [INCORRECT - Movement throughout body tissues after absorption]
B. Metabolism [INCORRECT - Chemical transformation of drug, primarily in liver]
C. Absorption [CORRECT]
D. Excretion [INCORRECT - Elimination of drug from body, primarily kidneys]
Correct Answer: C
Q2: A medication order reads: "Give 500 mg of cephalexin PO q6h for 7 days." How many
tablets should be dispensed if each tablet contains 250 mg?
A. 42 tablets [INCORRECT - May have calculated for 500mg tablets]
B. 84 tablets [CORRECT]
C. 28 tablets [INCORRECT - May have calculated daily dose only]
D. 168 tablets [INCORRECT - May have doubled the calculation]
Correct Answer: B
Q3: The generic name of a drug is:
A. Always capitalized and trademarked by the manufacturer [INCORRECT - Describes
brand/trade name]
B. The chemical formula of the drug [INCORRECT - Describes chemical name]
C. The non-proprietary name approved by the FDA [CORRECT]
D. The same as the trade name after patent expiration [INCORRECT - Names remain distinct]
,Correct Answer: C
Q4: Which route of administration has the fastest onset of action for systemic effects?
A. Oral (PO) [INCORRECT - Slower due to GI absorption and first-pass metabolism]
B. Intramuscular (IM) [INCORRECT - Moderate absorption through muscle tissue]
C. Subcutaneous (SC) [INCORRECT - Slower than IM due to less vascular tissue]
D. Intravenous (IV) [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Q5: A child weighs 44 lbs. The prescribed dose is 5 mg/kg. How many milligrams should be
administered?
A. 20 mg [INCORRECT - Used 44 lbs as kg]
B. 100 mg [CORRECT]
C. 220 mg [INCORRECT - Did not convert weight]
D. 440 mg [INCORRECT - Multiplied lbs by 10]
Correct Answer: B
Q6: First-pass metabolism refers to:
A. The initial breakdown of drug by stomach acid [INCORRECT - Not the primary site]
B. Hepatic metabolism of oral drugs before systemic circulation [CORRECT]
C. Renal filtration of unbound drug molecules [INCORRECT - Describes excretion]
D. The binding of drug to plasma proteins [INCORRECT - Describes distribution]
Correct Answer: B
Q7: A patient needs 1.5 g of medication. The available tablets are 500 mg each. How many
tablets are needed?
A. 2 tablets [INCORRECT - Equals 1000 mg]
B. 3 tablets [CORRECT]
, C. 4 tablets [INCORRECT - Exceeds prescribed dose]
D. 1 tablet [INCORRECT - Insufficient dose]
Correct Answer: B
Q8: The therapeutic index of a drug is:
A. The ratio between toxic dose and effective dose [CORRECT]
B. The time required to reach peak plasma concentration [INCORRECT - Describes Tmax]
C. The half-life of elimination [INCORRECT - Describes t½]
D. The bioavailability after oral administration [INCORRECT - Describes fraction reaching
circulation]
Correct Answer: A
Q9: Which factor would INCREASE the absorption of an oral medication?
A. Taking with food that slows gastric emptying [INCORRECT - Generally decreases
absorption]
B. High first-pass metabolism [INCORRECT - Decreases systemic availability]
C. Increased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract [CORRECT]
D. Binding to plasma proteins [INCORRECT - Affects distribution, not absorption]
Correct Answer: C
Q10: A medication is ordered at 0.125 mg. The available liquid concentration is 250 mcg/mL.
How many mL should be administered?
A. 0.5 mL [CORRECT]
B. 2.0 mL [INCORRECT - Conversion error, reversed calculation]
C. 0.125 mL [INCORRECT - Did not convert units]
D. 1.25 mL [INCORRECT - Decimal error in calculation]
Correct Answer: A
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
and Answers | Aligned to HOSA Guidelines | Grade A
Target | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION I: PHARMACOLOGY FUNDAMENTALS (Questions 1-15)
Q1: Which term describes the movement of a drug from the site of administration into the
bloodstream?
A. Distribution [INCORRECT - Movement throughout body tissues after absorption]
B. Metabolism [INCORRECT - Chemical transformation of drug, primarily in liver]
C. Absorption [CORRECT]
D. Excretion [INCORRECT - Elimination of drug from body, primarily kidneys]
Correct Answer: C
Q2: A medication order reads: "Give 500 mg of cephalexin PO q6h for 7 days." How many
tablets should be dispensed if each tablet contains 250 mg?
A. 42 tablets [INCORRECT - May have calculated for 500mg tablets]
B. 84 tablets [CORRECT]
C. 28 tablets [INCORRECT - May have calculated daily dose only]
D. 168 tablets [INCORRECT - May have doubled the calculation]
Correct Answer: B
Q3: The generic name of a drug is:
A. Always capitalized and trademarked by the manufacturer [INCORRECT - Describes
brand/trade name]
B. The chemical formula of the drug [INCORRECT - Describes chemical name]
C. The non-proprietary name approved by the FDA [CORRECT]
D. The same as the trade name after patent expiration [INCORRECT - Names remain distinct]
,Correct Answer: C
Q4: Which route of administration has the fastest onset of action for systemic effects?
A. Oral (PO) [INCORRECT - Slower due to GI absorption and first-pass metabolism]
B. Intramuscular (IM) [INCORRECT - Moderate absorption through muscle tissue]
C. Subcutaneous (SC) [INCORRECT - Slower than IM due to less vascular tissue]
D. Intravenous (IV) [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Q5: A child weighs 44 lbs. The prescribed dose is 5 mg/kg. How many milligrams should be
administered?
A. 20 mg [INCORRECT - Used 44 lbs as kg]
B. 100 mg [CORRECT]
C. 220 mg [INCORRECT - Did not convert weight]
D. 440 mg [INCORRECT - Multiplied lbs by 10]
Correct Answer: B
Q6: First-pass metabolism refers to:
A. The initial breakdown of drug by stomach acid [INCORRECT - Not the primary site]
B. Hepatic metabolism of oral drugs before systemic circulation [CORRECT]
C. Renal filtration of unbound drug molecules [INCORRECT - Describes excretion]
D. The binding of drug to plasma proteins [INCORRECT - Describes distribution]
Correct Answer: B
Q7: A patient needs 1.5 g of medication. The available tablets are 500 mg each. How many
tablets are needed?
A. 2 tablets [INCORRECT - Equals 1000 mg]
B. 3 tablets [CORRECT]
, C. 4 tablets [INCORRECT - Exceeds prescribed dose]
D. 1 tablet [INCORRECT - Insufficient dose]
Correct Answer: B
Q8: The therapeutic index of a drug is:
A. The ratio between toxic dose and effective dose [CORRECT]
B. The time required to reach peak plasma concentration [INCORRECT - Describes Tmax]
C. The half-life of elimination [INCORRECT - Describes t½]
D. The bioavailability after oral administration [INCORRECT - Describes fraction reaching
circulation]
Correct Answer: A
Q9: Which factor would INCREASE the absorption of an oral medication?
A. Taking with food that slows gastric emptying [INCORRECT - Generally decreases
absorption]
B. High first-pass metabolism [INCORRECT - Decreases systemic availability]
C. Increased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract [CORRECT]
D. Binding to plasma proteins [INCORRECT - Affects distribution, not absorption]
Correct Answer: C
Q10: A medication is ordered at 0.125 mg. The available liquid concentration is 250 mcg/mL.
How many mL should be administered?
A. 0.5 mL [CORRECT]
B. 2.0 mL [INCORRECT - Conversion error, reversed calculation]
C. 0.125 mL [INCORRECT - Did not convert units]
D. 1.25 mL [INCORRECT - Decimal error in calculation]
Correct Answer: A
