HOSA Medical Mathematics Actual Competition
Simulation: Complete Practice Exam with
Verified Solutions
SECTION A: Core Competency (Items 1-10)
Time Limit: 3 minutes | Speed Round
1. Convert 0.08 g to ______ mg.
Answer: 80 mg
Rationale: 1 g = 1,000 mg. Move decimal three places right: 0.08 g × 1,000 = 80 mg.
Common error: Moving decimal only two places yields 8 mg.
2. The abbreviation "mcg" stands for __________.
Answer: microgram
Rationale: "mc" is the approved metric prefix for micro (10⁻⁶); "g" = gram. Note: "µg"
using Greek letter mu is also acceptable but "mcg" prevents confusion with "mg"
(milligram) in handwritten orders.
3. (True/False) 1 tablespoon (tbsp) equals 30 mL.
Answer: False
,Rationale: 1 tbsp = 15 mL (1 fl oz = 30 mL = 2 tbsp). This is a critical conversion error to
avoid—doubling liquid doses can cause toxicity.
4. 1 grain (gr) = approximately ______ mg.
Answer: 65 mg (accept 60-65 mg)
Rationale: Standard apothecary conversion: 1 gr = 60 mg (exact) or 65 mg (approximate
clinical standard). For precise calculations, use the conversion factor provided in the
problem (if stated as 1 gr = 60 mg, use 60).
5. Convert 88 lb to ______ kg (round to nearest tenth).
Answer: 40.0 kg
Rationale: 1 kg = 2.2 lb. 88 lb ÷ 2.2 lb/kg = 40.0 kg. Critical for all weight-based dosing.
Error: Multiplying by 2.2 yields 193.6 (Distractor A in multiple choice).
6. (Matching) Match the metric prefix to its value:
● A. milli- → ____ 10⁻³
● B. micro- → ____ 10⁻⁶
● C. nano- → ____ 10⁻⁹
● D. centi- → ____ 10⁻²
Answers: A-10⁻³, B-10⁻⁶, C-10⁻⁹, D-10⁻²
Rationale: Essential for interpreting drug concentrations and lab values. Milli (m) =
thousandth; micro (mc or µ) = millionth; nano (n) = billionth; centi (c) = hundredth.
7. 1 teaspoon (tsp) = ______ mL.
, Answer: 5 mL
Rationale: Household-to-metric conversion. 1 tsp = 5 mL; 1 tbsp = 15 mL; 1 fl oz = 30
mL. Critical for home medication administration instructions.
8. (True/False) The "leading zero" should always be used before decimals less than 1
(e.g., 0.5 not .5).
Answer: True
Rationale: Joint Commission safety standard. The leading zero prevents misreading ".5"
as "5" if the decimal is obscured. Conversely, trailing zeros should NEVER be used after
decimals (write "5" not "5.0") to prevent "5.0" being read as "50."
9. 1 L = ______ mL.
Answer: 1,000 mL
Rationale: Base metric volume unit. Also: 1 dL (deciliter) = 100 mL; 1 mL = 1 cc (cubic
centimeter) = 1 g water (at 4°C).
10. (Fill-in) A medication is ordered for "q6h" administration. This means every ______
hours.
Answer: 6
Rationale: Latin abbreviation: "q" = quaque (every); "6h" = 6 hours. Related: q8h (every 8
hours), q12h (every 12 hours), qd (daily), bid (twice daily), tid (three times daily), qid
(four times daily).
Simulation: Complete Practice Exam with
Verified Solutions
SECTION A: Core Competency (Items 1-10)
Time Limit: 3 minutes | Speed Round
1. Convert 0.08 g to ______ mg.
Answer: 80 mg
Rationale: 1 g = 1,000 mg. Move decimal three places right: 0.08 g × 1,000 = 80 mg.
Common error: Moving decimal only two places yields 8 mg.
2. The abbreviation "mcg" stands for __________.
Answer: microgram
Rationale: "mc" is the approved metric prefix for micro (10⁻⁶); "g" = gram. Note: "µg"
using Greek letter mu is also acceptable but "mcg" prevents confusion with "mg"
(milligram) in handwritten orders.
3. (True/False) 1 tablespoon (tbsp) equals 30 mL.
Answer: False
,Rationale: 1 tbsp = 15 mL (1 fl oz = 30 mL = 2 tbsp). This is a critical conversion error to
avoid—doubling liquid doses can cause toxicity.
4. 1 grain (gr) = approximately ______ mg.
Answer: 65 mg (accept 60-65 mg)
Rationale: Standard apothecary conversion: 1 gr = 60 mg (exact) or 65 mg (approximate
clinical standard). For precise calculations, use the conversion factor provided in the
problem (if stated as 1 gr = 60 mg, use 60).
5. Convert 88 lb to ______ kg (round to nearest tenth).
Answer: 40.0 kg
Rationale: 1 kg = 2.2 lb. 88 lb ÷ 2.2 lb/kg = 40.0 kg. Critical for all weight-based dosing.
Error: Multiplying by 2.2 yields 193.6 (Distractor A in multiple choice).
6. (Matching) Match the metric prefix to its value:
● A. milli- → ____ 10⁻³
● B. micro- → ____ 10⁻⁶
● C. nano- → ____ 10⁻⁹
● D. centi- → ____ 10⁻²
Answers: A-10⁻³, B-10⁻⁶, C-10⁻⁹, D-10⁻²
Rationale: Essential for interpreting drug concentrations and lab values. Milli (m) =
thousandth; micro (mc or µ) = millionth; nano (n) = billionth; centi (c) = hundredth.
7. 1 teaspoon (tsp) = ______ mL.
, Answer: 5 mL
Rationale: Household-to-metric conversion. 1 tsp = 5 mL; 1 tbsp = 15 mL; 1 fl oz = 30
mL. Critical for home medication administration instructions.
8. (True/False) The "leading zero" should always be used before decimals less than 1
(e.g., 0.5 not .5).
Answer: True
Rationale: Joint Commission safety standard. The leading zero prevents misreading ".5"
as "5" if the decimal is obscured. Conversely, trailing zeros should NEVER be used after
decimals (write "5" not "5.0") to prevent "5.0" being read as "50."
9. 1 L = ______ mL.
Answer: 1,000 mL
Rationale: Base metric volume unit. Also: 1 dL (deciliter) = 100 mL; 1 mL = 1 cc (cubic
centimeter) = 1 g water (at 4°C).
10. (Fill-in) A medication is ordered for "q6h" administration. This means every ______
hours.
Answer: 6
Rationale: Latin abbreviation: "q" = quaque (every); "6h" = 6 hours. Related: q8h (every 8
hours), q12h (every 12 hours), qd (daily), bid (twice daily), tid (three times daily), qid
(four times daily).
