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Basic Pharmacology practice questions for the CCMA exam

Basic Pharmacology is part of Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science, which is 15 of the 150 scored questions on the CCMA exam. Try 5 free questions below; open each one to see the answer, why the other options are wrong and the sources.

Question 1

At the start of the workday, the medical assistant checks the vaccine refrigerator's data logger and sees that the temperature went above 8 °C (46 °F) overnight. What should the medical assistant do?

  1. Discard all vaccines in the unit right away to be safe.
  2. Take no action, because the current reading is back in range.
  3. Mark them "Do Not Use," store them properly, and report it.
  4. Move the vaccines into the freezer so they cool quickly.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Mark them "Do Not Use," store them properly, and report it.

Exposed vaccines are labeled "Do Not Use" and kept under proper storage until the health department or manufacturer confirms they are usable. The MA reports the excursion to the designated staff and documents it on a troubleshooting record.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Discard all vaccines in the unit right away to be safe.: Vaccines are not discarded until the health department or manufacturer has been consulted.
  • B. Take no action, because the current reading is back in range.: An excursion must be reported and documented even if the reading is back in range.
  • D. Move the vaccines into the freezer so they cool quickly.: Freezing can damage vaccines that must be refrigerated.

Sources

Question 2

Which list contains the original five rights of medication administration?

  1. Right patient, provider, dose, route, and time
  2. Right patient, drug, dose, route, and diagnosis
  3. Right patient, drug, pharmacy, route, and time
  4. Right patient, drug, dose, route, and time
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. Right patient, drug, dose, route, and time

The original five rights are right patient, drug, dose, route and time. Right reason (indication) and right documentation were added later.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Right patient, provider, dose, route, and time: Right provider is not one of the rights.
  • B. Right patient, drug, dose, route, and diagnosis: Diagnosis is not one of the five rights; right reason (indication) was added later.
  • C. Right patient, drug, pharmacy, route, and time: Right pharmacy is not one of the rights.

Sources

Question 3

Which effect of morphine is classified as a potentially harmful adverse reaction rather than a common, expected side effect?

  1. Mild nausea
  2. Slow, shallow breathing
  3. Dry mouth
  4. Constipation
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Slow, shallow breathing

Constipation is a common side effect of opioids. Respiratory depression is a harmful adverse reaction that can be life-threatening.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Mild nausea: Mild nausea is a common GI side effect of opioids.
  • C. Dry mouth: Dry mouth is a minor effect, not a dangerous adverse reaction.
  • D. Constipation: Constipation is the common, expected side effect of morphine.

Sources

Question 4

While preparing an injection, the medical assistant notices that the vial's expiration date was last month. What should the medical assistant do?

  1. Set it aside and obtain an unexpired vial.
  2. Draw up a larger volume to make up for any lost potency.
  3. Use it, since the solution in the vial still looks clear.
  4. Use it, and note the expiration date in the patient's chart.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Set it aside and obtain an unexpired vial.

Checking the expiration date is part of the right-drug check. Expired products are not used.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Draw up a larger volume to make up for any lost potency.: Changing the volume changes the dose without an order.
  • C. Use it, since the solution in the vial still looks clear.: Appearance does not prove an expired drug is safe or potent.
  • D. Use it, and note the expiration date in the patient's chart.: Documenting the use of an expired product does not make it acceptable.

Sources

Question 5

Ordered: 375 mg of an oral suspension. On hand: 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should be measured?

  1. 3.3 mL
  2. 5 mL
  3. 7.5 mL
  4. 15 mL
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. 7.5 mL

D/H x Q = 375 mg / 250 mg x 5 mL = 1.5 x 5 mL = 7.5 mL.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. 3.3 mL: This inverts the ratio (250/375 x 5).
  • B. 5 mL: 5 mL contains only 250 mg.
  • D. 15 mL: 15 mL would contain 750 mg.

Sources

Cheat sheets for this topic

Basic Pharmacology terms

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