Skip to main content
ExamWize
Sign up

RMA · 10% of the exam

Clinical Pharmacology practice questions

10 free Clinical Pharmacology questions for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Exam exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.

Start the questionsFree 10-question RMA quiz

What this domain covers

Preparing and giving medications safely: drug classes, routes, dosage calculations and the rules on prescriptions and controlled substances.

Exam weight
10%
On a real exam
≈ 21 questions
In our bank
60 questions

Topics that come up most

  • Rights of medication administration
  • Dosage calculations and unit conversions
  • Injection routes, sites, needle gauges and angles
  • Drug classifications and common side effects
  • Controlled substance schedules and prescriptions

How to study it

Work through a set of dosage calculations by hand every day until conversions are routine, and learn the injection route, site and angle as a single set.

Sample Clinical Pharmacology questions

Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.

  1. Question 1

    A Luer-Lok syringe tip:

    • ATwists the needle on
    • BSlides the needle on
    • CHas no needle
    • DIs only for insulin
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Twists the needle on

    • ACorrect. The threaded tip locks the needle securely.
    • BIncorrect. That is a slip tip.
    • CIncorrect. A needle attaches.
    • DIncorrect. It is widely used.

  2. Question 2

    Insulin lispro is classified as:

    • ALong-acting
    • BRapid-acting
    • CAn oral tablet
    • DIntermediate-acting
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Rapid-acting

    • AIncorrect. That's glargine.
    • BCorrect. It's given close to meals.
    • CIncorrect. It's injected.
    • DIncorrect. That's NPH.

  3. Question 3

    What is the maximum IM volume usually given in the adult deltoid?

    • AAbout 0.01 mL
    • BAbout 5 mL
    • CAbout 10 mL
    • DAbout 1 mL
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) About 1 mL

    • AIncorrect. That's too little.
    • BIncorrect. That's too much for the deltoid.
    • CIncorrect. That's far too much.
    • DCorrect. Larger volumes go in bigger muscles.

  4. Question 4

    Schedule II prescriptions generally:

    • AHave five refills
    • BCannot be refilled
    • CNeed no prescription
    • DAre sold over the counter
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Cannot be refilled

    • AIncorrect. That applies to Schedules III–IV.
    • BCorrect. A new prescription is required each time.
    • CIncorrect. A prescription is required.
    • DIncorrect. They are tightly controlled.

  5. Question 5

    The part of a syringe that holds the medication is the:

    • AFlange
    • BPlunger
    • CBarrel
    • DHub
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) Barrel

    • AIncorrect. This is the finger grip.
    • BIncorrect. This pushes the medication.
    • CCorrect. The barrel holds the medication and shows calibrations.
    • DIncorrect. This connects the needle.

  6. Question 6

    On a prescription, what information does the "Sig" section provide?

    • AThe prescriber's DEA registration number
    • BThe name and strength of the drug prescribed
    • CThe total quantity the pharmacist should dispense
    • DThe directions for how the patient takes the drug
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) The directions for how the patient takes the drug

    The Sig (signatura) is the part of a prescription that gives the patient's directions for use, such as dose, route, frequency and duration. These directions are printed on the medication label.

    • AIncorrect. The DEA number is part of the prescriber's identifying information and is needed for controlled substances. It is not part of the Sig.
    • BIncorrect. The drug name and strength go in the inscription, not the Sig.
    • CIncorrect. The amount to dispense is the pharmacist's instruction (the subscription). It is not the patient's directions.
    • DCorrect. The Sig (signatura, from Latin meaning 'let it be labeled') holds the patient directions, such as dose, route, frequency and duration, that go on the label.

  7. Question 7

    An intradermal injection forms a:

    • ASmall raised wheal
    • BDeep muscle pocket
    • CFat-layer deposit
    • DVein deposit
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Small raised wheal

    • ACorrect. The fluid lifts the skin in a small bleb.
    • BIncorrect. That is IM.
    • CIncorrect. That is subcutaneous.
    • DIncorrect. That is IV.

  8. Question 8

    The Z-track technique helps prevent:

    • AInfection only
    • BFainting
    • CAllergies
    • DLeakage
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) Leakage

    • AIncorrect. Leakage is the target.
    • BIncorrect. This is not its purpose.
    • CIncorrect. This is not its purpose.
    • DCorrect. It seals the drug in muscle, preventing leakage and staining.

  9. Question 9

    Statins are mainly used to:

    • ALower LDL cholesterol
    • BRaise blood pressure
    • CTreat infections
    • DRelieve allergy symptoms
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) Lower LDL cholesterol

    • ACorrect. Atorvastatin is an example.
    • BIncorrect. They don't.
    • CIncorrect. That's antibiotics.
    • DIncorrect. That's antihistamines.

  10. Question 10

    Sertraline is classed as:

    • AA beta blocker
    • BA statin
    • CAn SSRI
    • DAn antibiotic
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) An SSRI

    • AIncorrect. That lowers heart rate.
    • BIncorrect. That lowers cholesterol.
    • CCorrect. It treats depression and anxiety.
    • DIncorrect. That treats bacterial infections.

Clinical Pharmacology: FAQs

How much of the RMA exam is Clinical Pharmacology?

Clinical Pharmacology is 10% of the RMA exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 210-question form works out to roughly 21 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.

What does the Clinical Pharmacology domain cover?

Preparing and giving medications safely: drug classes, routes, dosage calculations and the rules on prescriptions and controlled substances.

How should I study Clinical Pharmacology for RMA?

Work through a set of dosage calculations by hand every day until conversions are routine, and learn the injection route, site and angle as a single set.

Where can I practise more Clinical Pharmacology questions?

This page has 10 free Clinical Pharmacology questions with answers. The ExamWize RMA question bank has 60 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

Other RMA topics

Also: 15 free questions across all topics, the RMA cheat sheet and the study guide.

Get Clinical Pharmacology exam-ready

The full RMA bank has 60 Clinical Pharmacology questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

See the full RMA practice examsTake the free diagnostic

Not affiliated with AMT; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.