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 describes the official, non-proprietary name of a drug that is not owned by any
pharmaceutical company?
A. Brand name B. Trade name C. Generic name [CORRECT] D. Chemical name
Correct Answer: C
Q2: A medication order reads: "Give 500 mg of medication X orally." The pharmacy supplies
tablets labeled 250 mg each. How many tablets should the patient receive?
A. 0.5 tablets B. 1 tablet C. 2 tablets [CORRECT] D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Q3: Which route of administration provides the most rapid onset of drug action?
A. Oral (PO) B. Intramuscular (IM) C. Subcutaneous (SC) D. Intravenous (IV) [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Q4: 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
Q5: A patient weighs 44 lbs. How many kilograms does the patient weigh? (Round to nearest
whole number)
A. 20 kg [CORRECT] B. 44 kg C. 88 kg D. 97 kg
Correct Answer: A
, Q6: Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidneys B. Liver [CORRECT] C. Lungs D. Skin
Correct Answer: B
Q7: The term "pharmacodynamics" refers to:
A. How the body processes drugs B. What the drug does to the body [CORRECT] C. The study
of drug sources D. The cost-effectiveness of drug therapy
Correct Answer: B
Q8: A medication order states: "Administer 0.5 g of cephalexin PO." The available suspension is
250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should be given?
A. 2.5 mL B. 5 mL C. 10 mL [CORRECT] D. 20 mL
Correct Answer: C
Q9: Which factor would NOT affect the absorption of an orally administered drug?
A. Gastric emptying time B. Presence of food in stomach C. Kidney function [CORRECT] D.
Drug formulation (tablet vs. liquid)
Correct Answer: C
Q10: The "first-pass effect" refers to:
A. Initial drug distribution to the brain B. Initial metabolism of a drug by the liver before it
reaches systemic circulation [CORRECT] C. First dose tolerance D. Rapid excretion of the
initial drug dose
Correct Answer: B
Q11: A patient is to receive 1,000 mL of IV fluid over 8 hours. The IV tubing delivers 15 gtt/mL.
What is the drip rate in gtt/min? (Round to nearest whole number)
A. 15 gtt/min B. 31 gtt/min [CORRECT] C. 63 gtt/min D. 125 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 describes the official, non-proprietary name of a drug that is not owned by any
pharmaceutical company?
A. Brand name B. Trade name C. Generic name [CORRECT] D. Chemical name
Correct Answer: C
Q2: A medication order reads: "Give 500 mg of medication X orally." The pharmacy supplies
tablets labeled 250 mg each. How many tablets should the patient receive?
A. 0.5 tablets B. 1 tablet C. 2 tablets [CORRECT] D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Q3: Which route of administration provides the most rapid onset of drug action?
A. Oral (PO) B. Intramuscular (IM) C. Subcutaneous (SC) D. Intravenous (IV) [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Q4: 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
Q5: A patient weighs 44 lbs. How many kilograms does the patient weigh? (Round to nearest
whole number)
A. 20 kg [CORRECT] B. 44 kg C. 88 kg D. 97 kg
Correct Answer: A
, Q6: Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidneys B. Liver [CORRECT] C. Lungs D. Skin
Correct Answer: B
Q7: The term "pharmacodynamics" refers to:
A. How the body processes drugs B. What the drug does to the body [CORRECT] C. The study
of drug sources D. The cost-effectiveness of drug therapy
Correct Answer: B
Q8: A medication order states: "Administer 0.5 g of cephalexin PO." The available suspension is
250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should be given?
A. 2.5 mL B. 5 mL C. 10 mL [CORRECT] D. 20 mL
Correct Answer: C
Q9: Which factor would NOT affect the absorption of an orally administered drug?
A. Gastric emptying time B. Presence of food in stomach C. Kidney function [CORRECT] D.
Drug formulation (tablet vs. liquid)
Correct Answer: C
Q10: The "first-pass effect" refers to:
A. Initial drug distribution to the brain B. Initial metabolism of a drug by the liver before it
reaches systemic circulation [CORRECT] C. First dose tolerance D. Rapid excretion of the
initial drug dose
Correct Answer: B
Q11: A patient is to receive 1,000 mL of IV fluid over 8 hours. The IV tubing delivers 15 gtt/mL.
What is the drip rate in gtt/min? (Round to nearest whole number)
A. 15 gtt/min B. 31 gtt/min [CORRECT] C. 63 gtt/min D. 125 gtt/min
Correct Answer: B
