HOSA PHARMACY SCIENCE STUDYGUIDE FOR TEST EXAM
COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED
RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM PREP | PRACTICE
TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
1. A pharmacy technician receives a prescription for amoxicillin 500 mg capsules with the sig: "1
cap PO TID x 10 days." How many capsules should be dispensed?
A. 10
B. 20
C. 30
D. 40
Correct Answer: C. 30
Rationale: The sig indicates one capsule (1 cap) by mouth (PO) three times daily (TID) for 10 days. 3
capsules/day * 10 days = 30 capsules. Option A is for a 10-day supply at one capsule daily, B is for 20
days at once daily, and D is for a miscalculation.
2. Which of the following is the correct generic name for the brand-name medication Tylenol?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Aspirin
C. Acetaminophen
D. Naproxen
Correct Answer: C. Acetaminophen
Rationale: Acetaminophen is the generic name for Tylenol. Ibuprofen is the generic for Motrin/Advil,
Aspirin is a generic name itself, and Naproxen is the generic for Aleve/Naprosyn.
3. A patient drops off a new prescription. What is the first step the pharmacy technician should
take?
A. Type the prescription label.
B. Count the medication.
C. Enter the patient's information into the computer system.
D. Place the prescription in the pharmacist's "to-be-checked" pile.
Correct Answer: C. Enter the patient's information into the computer system.
Rationale: The first step is to ensure the patient's demographic and insurance information is current
and entered into the system to begin the adjudication and billing process. Typing, counting, and
,placing in the pharmacist's pile occur later in the workflow after the prescription has been entered
and processed.
4. What is the standard abbreviation for "before meals"?
A. p.c.
B. a.c.
C. h.s.
D. p.r.n.
Correct Answer: B. a.c.
Rationale: "a.c." is the abbreviation for "ante cibum," which means before meals. "p.c." (post cibum)
means after meals, "h.s." means at bedtime, and "p.r.n." means as needed.
5. Which of the following actions requires the direct supervision of a pharmacist in all states?
A. Answering the phone to refill a prescription.
B. Selecting a generic medication from the shelf.
C. Performing a final verification of a filled prescription.
D. Creating a new patient profile in the pharmacy software.
Correct Answer: C. Performing a final verification of a filled prescription.
Rationale: The final verification of a filled prescription, which includes checking the drug, dose,
patient, and label against the original prescription, is a professional judgment task that legally
requires a pharmacist's supervision. The other tasks are typically delegated to a pharmacy technician
under general supervision.
6. A prescription is written for "Lisinopril 10 mg, one tablet daily." How many tablets should be
dispensed for a 90-day supply?
A. 30
B. 60
C. 90
D. 180
Correct Answer: C. 90
Rationale: One tablet daily for 90 days equals 90 tablets. Option A is for a 30-day supply, B for 60
days, and D is twice daily for 90 days.
7. A patient calls and says they are experiencing a mild rash after starting a new antibiotic. What
should the technician do?
A. Advise the patient to stop taking the medication immediately.
B. Advise the patient to take an over-the-counter antihistamine.
, C. Transfer the call to the pharmacist immediately.
D. Tell the patient it is a normal side effect and to keep taking it.
Correct Answer: C. Transfer the call to the pharmacist immediately.
Rationale: Any patient report of an adverse reaction, such as a rash, must be evaluated by the
pharmacist for clinical significance. It is beyond the scope of a technician to diagnose or advise on
managing such reactions. The pharmacist will determine the appropriate course of action.
8. Which DEA form is used to order Schedule II controlled substances?
A. DEA Form 41
B. DEA Form 106
C. DEA Form 222
D. DEA Form 224
Correct Answer: C. DEA Form 222
Rationale: DEA Form 222 is the official order form used to purchase Schedule II controlled substances.
DEA Form 41 is for the destruction of controlled substances, Form 106 is for reporting theft or loss,
and Form 224 is for pharmacy registration.
9. What does "q.d." stand for on a prescription?
A. Every hour
B. Four times daily
C. Every day
D. As needed
Correct Answer: C. Every day
Rationale: "q.d." is an abbreviation for "quaque die," meaning once daily. Every hour is "q.h." or
"q.1h," four times daily is "q.i.d." or "q.i.d.," and as needed is "p.r.n."
10. A customer wants to buy an over-the-counter (OTC) product for a headache. Which of the
following is a potential counseling point the pharmacist might ask the technician to relay?
A. "This product comes in a red box."
B. "Take this with a full glass of water to avoid stomach upset."
C. "This is on sale for 20% off."
D. "You can return this if it doesn't work."
Correct Answer: B. "Take this with a full glass of water to avoid stomach upset."
Rationale: This is an example of a safe and relevant medication counseling point. The other options
are not related to the safe and effective use of the medication.
COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED
RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM PREP | PRACTICE
TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
1. A pharmacy technician receives a prescription for amoxicillin 500 mg capsules with the sig: "1
cap PO TID x 10 days." How many capsules should be dispensed?
A. 10
B. 20
C. 30
D. 40
Correct Answer: C. 30
Rationale: The sig indicates one capsule (1 cap) by mouth (PO) three times daily (TID) for 10 days. 3
capsules/day * 10 days = 30 capsules. Option A is for a 10-day supply at one capsule daily, B is for 20
days at once daily, and D is for a miscalculation.
2. Which of the following is the correct generic name for the brand-name medication Tylenol?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Aspirin
C. Acetaminophen
D. Naproxen
Correct Answer: C. Acetaminophen
Rationale: Acetaminophen is the generic name for Tylenol. Ibuprofen is the generic for Motrin/Advil,
Aspirin is a generic name itself, and Naproxen is the generic for Aleve/Naprosyn.
3. A patient drops off a new prescription. What is the first step the pharmacy technician should
take?
A. Type the prescription label.
B. Count the medication.
C. Enter the patient's information into the computer system.
D. Place the prescription in the pharmacist's "to-be-checked" pile.
Correct Answer: C. Enter the patient's information into the computer system.
Rationale: The first step is to ensure the patient's demographic and insurance information is current
and entered into the system to begin the adjudication and billing process. Typing, counting, and
,placing in the pharmacist's pile occur later in the workflow after the prescription has been entered
and processed.
4. What is the standard abbreviation for "before meals"?
A. p.c.
B. a.c.
C. h.s.
D. p.r.n.
Correct Answer: B. a.c.
Rationale: "a.c." is the abbreviation for "ante cibum," which means before meals. "p.c." (post cibum)
means after meals, "h.s." means at bedtime, and "p.r.n." means as needed.
5. Which of the following actions requires the direct supervision of a pharmacist in all states?
A. Answering the phone to refill a prescription.
B. Selecting a generic medication from the shelf.
C. Performing a final verification of a filled prescription.
D. Creating a new patient profile in the pharmacy software.
Correct Answer: C. Performing a final verification of a filled prescription.
Rationale: The final verification of a filled prescription, which includes checking the drug, dose,
patient, and label against the original prescription, is a professional judgment task that legally
requires a pharmacist's supervision. The other tasks are typically delegated to a pharmacy technician
under general supervision.
6. A prescription is written for "Lisinopril 10 mg, one tablet daily." How many tablets should be
dispensed for a 90-day supply?
A. 30
B. 60
C. 90
D. 180
Correct Answer: C. 90
Rationale: One tablet daily for 90 days equals 90 tablets. Option A is for a 30-day supply, B for 60
days, and D is twice daily for 90 days.
7. A patient calls and says they are experiencing a mild rash after starting a new antibiotic. What
should the technician do?
A. Advise the patient to stop taking the medication immediately.
B. Advise the patient to take an over-the-counter antihistamine.
, C. Transfer the call to the pharmacist immediately.
D. Tell the patient it is a normal side effect and to keep taking it.
Correct Answer: C. Transfer the call to the pharmacist immediately.
Rationale: Any patient report of an adverse reaction, such as a rash, must be evaluated by the
pharmacist for clinical significance. It is beyond the scope of a technician to diagnose or advise on
managing such reactions. The pharmacist will determine the appropriate course of action.
8. Which DEA form is used to order Schedule II controlled substances?
A. DEA Form 41
B. DEA Form 106
C. DEA Form 222
D. DEA Form 224
Correct Answer: C. DEA Form 222
Rationale: DEA Form 222 is the official order form used to purchase Schedule II controlled substances.
DEA Form 41 is for the destruction of controlled substances, Form 106 is for reporting theft or loss,
and Form 224 is for pharmacy registration.
9. What does "q.d." stand for on a prescription?
A. Every hour
B. Four times daily
C. Every day
D. As needed
Correct Answer: C. Every day
Rationale: "q.d." is an abbreviation for "quaque die," meaning once daily. Every hour is "q.h." or
"q.1h," four times daily is "q.i.d." or "q.i.d.," and as needed is "p.r.n."
10. A customer wants to buy an over-the-counter (OTC) product for a headache. Which of the
following is a potential counseling point the pharmacist might ask the technician to relay?
A. "This product comes in a red box."
B. "Take this with a full glass of water to avoid stomach upset."
C. "This is on sale for 20% off."
D. "You can return this if it doesn't work."
Correct Answer: B. "Take this with a full glass of water to avoid stomach upset."
Rationale: This is an example of a safe and relevant medication counseling point. The other options
are not related to the safe and effective use of the medication.
