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 chemical name that describes the atomic and molecular structure of
a drug?
A. Brand name
B. Generic name
C. Chemical name [CORRECT]
D. Official name
Correct Answer: C
Q2: A medication order reads: "Give 500 mg of medication X." The available stock is 250 mg/5
mL. How many mL should be administered?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL [CORRECT]
D. 20 mL
Correct Answer: C
Q3: Which route of administration has the fastest onset of action for systemic effects?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Subcutaneous
D. Intravenous [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 child weighs 44 lbs. The prescribed dose is 5 mg/kg. How many mg should be
administered? (Round to nearest whole number)
A. 20 mg
B. 50 mg
C. 100 mg [CORRECT]
D. 220 mg
Correct Answer: C
Q6: Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver [CORRECT]
C. Lungs
D. Heart
Correct Answer: B
Q7: The "first-pass effect" primarily occurs with which route of administration?
A. Intravenous
B. Intramuscular
C. Oral [CORRECT]
D. Sublingual
Correct Answer: C
Q8: A patient is to receive 1,000 mL of IV fluid over 8 hours. The drip factor is 15 gtt/mL. What
is the drip 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
Q9: Pharmacodynamics refers to:
A. What the body does to the drug
B. What the drug does to the body [CORRECT]
C. The study of drug absorption rates
D. The calculation of drug half-lives
Correct Answer: B
Q10: Which of the following is an example of a parenteral route of administration?
A. Oral
B. Rectal
C. Subcutaneous [CORRECT]
D. Inhalation
Correct Answer: C
Q11: A medication label states: "Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL. Dispense 150 mL. Take 1
teaspoonful three times daily for 10 days." How many mg will the patient take per dose?
A. 125 mg
B. 250 mg [CORRECT]
C. 500 mg
D. 750 mg
Correct Answer: B
Q12: 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 the maintenance dose
D. The oral dose and the IV dose
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 chemical name that describes the atomic and molecular structure of
a drug?
A. Brand name
B. Generic name
C. Chemical name [CORRECT]
D. Official name
Correct Answer: C
Q2: A medication order reads: "Give 500 mg of medication X." The available stock is 250 mg/5
mL. How many mL should be administered?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL [CORRECT]
D. 20 mL
Correct Answer: C
Q3: Which route of administration has the fastest onset of action for systemic effects?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Subcutaneous
D. Intravenous [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 child weighs 44 lbs. The prescribed dose is 5 mg/kg. How many mg should be
administered? (Round to nearest whole number)
A. 20 mg
B. 50 mg
C. 100 mg [CORRECT]
D. 220 mg
Correct Answer: C
Q6: Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver [CORRECT]
C. Lungs
D. Heart
Correct Answer: B
Q7: The "first-pass effect" primarily occurs with which route of administration?
A. Intravenous
B. Intramuscular
C. Oral [CORRECT]
D. Sublingual
Correct Answer: C
Q8: A patient is to receive 1,000 mL of IV fluid over 8 hours. The drip factor is 15 gtt/mL. What
is the drip 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
Q9: Pharmacodynamics refers to:
A. What the body does to the drug
B. What the drug does to the body [CORRECT]
C. The study of drug absorption rates
D. The calculation of drug half-lives
Correct Answer: B
Q10: Which of the following is an example of a parenteral route of administration?
A. Oral
B. Rectal
C. Subcutaneous [CORRECT]
D. Inhalation
Correct Answer: C
Q11: A medication label states: "Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL. Dispense 150 mL. Take 1
teaspoonful three times daily for 10 days." How many mg will the patient take per dose?
A. 125 mg
B. 250 mg [CORRECT]
C. 500 mg
D. 750 mg
Correct Answer: B
Q12: 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 the maintenance dose
D. The oral dose and the IV dose
