HOSA Pharmacology Competitive Event ACTUAL
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
and Answers | Aligned to HOSA Guidelines | Grade A
Target | Pass Guaranteed
Q1. Which term refers to the chemical name that describes the molecular structure of a drug?
A. Brand name
B. Generic name
C. Chemical name [CORRECT]
D. Trade name
Correct Answer: C
Q2. A physician orders 500 mg of a medication. The available tablets are 250 mg each. How
many tablets should be administered?
A. 0.5 tablets
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets [CORRECT]
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Q3. The process by which a drug moves from the site of administration into the bloodstream is
called:
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Absorption [CORRECT]
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: C
Q4. A medication order reads: "Give 0.3 g PO now." The available capsules are 150 mg each.
How many capsules are needed?
A. 1 capsule
,B. 2 capsules [CORRECT]
C. 3 capsules
D. 4 capsules
Correct Answer: B
Q5. Which route of administration provides the fastest onset of drug action?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Subcutaneous
D. Intravenous [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Q6. The study of how the body affects a drug (what the body does to the drug) is called:
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics [CORRECT]
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Toxicology
Correct Answer: B
Q7. A child weighs 22 lbs. The prescribed dose is 5 mg/kg. How many mg should be
administered? (Round to nearest whole number)
A. 25 mg
B. 50 mg [CORRECT]
C. 100 mg
D. 110 mg
Correct Answer: B
Q8. Which factor would INCREASE the absorption of an orally administered drug?
A. Taking with food that delays gastric emptying
B. Increased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract [CORRECT]
C. High molecular weight of the drug
, D. Ionized form of the drug in stomach acid
Correct Answer: B
Q9. The "first-pass effect" primarily occurs in which organ?
A. Kidneys
B. Lungs
C. Liver [CORRECT]
D. Heart
Correct Answer: C
Q10. A medication label states: "Concentration: 50 mg/mL. Administer 75 mg IM." How many
mL should be drawn up?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1.0 mL
C. 1.5 mL [CORRECT]
D. 2.0 mL
Correct Answer: C
Q11. Which term describes the maximum effect a drug can produce?
A. Potency
B. Efficacy [CORRECT]
C. Affinity
D. Bioavailability
Correct Answer: B
Q12. A patient is to receive 1000 mL of IV fluid over 8 hours. The drip factor is 15 gtt/mL. What
is the flow rate in gtt/min? (Round to nearest whole number)
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min [CORRECT]
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 63 gtt/min
Correct Answer: B
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
and Answers | Aligned to HOSA Guidelines | Grade A
Target | Pass Guaranteed
Q1. Which term refers to the chemical name that describes the molecular structure of a drug?
A. Brand name
B. Generic name
C. Chemical name [CORRECT]
D. Trade name
Correct Answer: C
Q2. A physician orders 500 mg of a medication. The available tablets are 250 mg each. How
many tablets should be administered?
A. 0.5 tablets
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets [CORRECT]
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Q3. The process by which a drug moves from the site of administration into the bloodstream is
called:
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Absorption [CORRECT]
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: C
Q4. A medication order reads: "Give 0.3 g PO now." The available capsules are 150 mg each.
How many capsules are needed?
A. 1 capsule
,B. 2 capsules [CORRECT]
C. 3 capsules
D. 4 capsules
Correct Answer: B
Q5. Which route of administration provides the fastest onset of drug action?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Subcutaneous
D. Intravenous [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Q6. The study of how the body affects a drug (what the body does to the drug) is called:
A. Pharmacodynamics
B. Pharmacokinetics [CORRECT]
C. Pharmacotherapeutics
D. Toxicology
Correct Answer: B
Q7. A child weighs 22 lbs. The prescribed dose is 5 mg/kg. How many mg should be
administered? (Round to nearest whole number)
A. 25 mg
B. 50 mg [CORRECT]
C. 100 mg
D. 110 mg
Correct Answer: B
Q8. Which factor would INCREASE the absorption of an orally administered drug?
A. Taking with food that delays gastric emptying
B. Increased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract [CORRECT]
C. High molecular weight of the drug
, D. Ionized form of the drug in stomach acid
Correct Answer: B
Q9. The "first-pass effect" primarily occurs in which organ?
A. Kidneys
B. Lungs
C. Liver [CORRECT]
D. Heart
Correct Answer: C
Q10. A medication label states: "Concentration: 50 mg/mL. Administer 75 mg IM." How many
mL should be drawn up?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1.0 mL
C. 1.5 mL [CORRECT]
D. 2.0 mL
Correct Answer: C
Q11. Which term describes the maximum effect a drug can produce?
A. Potency
B. Efficacy [CORRECT]
C. Affinity
D. Bioavailability
Correct Answer: B
Q12. A patient is to receive 1000 mL of IV fluid over 8 hours. The drip factor is 15 gtt/mL. What
is the flow rate in gtt/min? (Round to nearest whole number)
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min [CORRECT]
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 63 gtt/min
Correct Answer: B
