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125+ Free DHA Pharmacist Exam Practice Questions

Prepare for the DHA Pharmacist Licensing Assessment (CBT via Prometric) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Sample DHA Pharmacist Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your DHA Pharmacist Exam exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 125+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 58-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and an eGFR of 28 mL/min/1.73m2 presents a new prescription for metformin 1 g twice daily. What is the most appropriate pharmacist action?
A.Contact prescriber; metformin is contraindicated when eGFR is below 30 mL/min/1.73 m²
B.Dispense as written; metformin remains first-line therapy for all diabetic patients regardless of renal function
C.Reduce to 500 mg twice daily and dispense without prescriber contact; dose reduction alone is adequate below eGFR 30
D.Substitute glibenclamide without prescriber approval; sulfonylureas are safer than metformin in renal impairment
Explanation: Metformin is contraindicated when eGFR falls below 30 mL/min/1.73m2 because of the risk of lactic acidosis. At an eGFR of 28 the prescriber should be contacted to switch therapy, so the pharmacist must intervene rather than dispense.
2A patient on warfarin starts a 7-day course of an antibiotic and the INR rises sharply to 6.5 with no bleeding. Which antibiotic most likely caused this interaction?
A.Cefalexin
B.Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
C.Nitrofurantoin
D.Azithromycin
Explanation: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole strongly inhibits CYP2C9, the enzyme that metabolizes the more potent S-enantiomer of warfarin, and also displaces warfarin from protein binding, markedly raising the INR. It is one of the highest-risk antibiotics for warfarin potentiation.
3A 24-year-old woman who is 12 weeks pregnant requests treatment for a confirmed lower urinary tract infection. Which oral antibiotic should the pharmacist recommend avoiding in this trimester?
A.Nitrofurantoin
B.Cefalexin
C.Trimethoprim
D.Amoxicillin
Explanation: Trimethoprim is a folate antagonist and is contraindicated in the first trimester because it increases the risk of neural tube defects. Folate is critical during early organogenesis, so trimethoprim should be avoided in this period.
4What volume of a 50% w/v magnesium sulfate solution is required to provide 5 g of magnesium sulfate?
A.5 mL
B.25 mL
C.20 mL
D.10 mL
Explanation: A 50% w/v solution contains 50 g per 100 mL, which equals 0.5 g/mL. To obtain 5 g you divide 5 g by 0.5 g/mL, giving 10 mL.
5Under UAE pharmacy regulations, controlled (narcotic) medicines such as morphine must be stored in what manner within a community pharmacy?
A.Locked secured cabinet with restricted access and a maintained controlled-drug register
B.Open dispensing shelf alongside other prescription medicines for efficient workflow
C.Refrigerator storage with routine vaccines regardless of security requirements
D.Patient counseling area storage for rapid access during busy dispensing periods
Explanation: Controlled narcotic medicines must be kept in a locked, secured cabinet with restricted access, and all transactions must be recorded in a controlled-drug register. This requirement supports the UAE narcotic control law and prevents diversion.
6A mother asks for advice on her 3-year-old child who has a fever of 38.8 C. Which over-the-counter antipyretic dosing recommendation is most appropriate?
A.Aspirin 300 mg every 4 hours for antipyretic effect in young children
B.Paracetamol 15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours, maximum 4 doses in 24 hours
C.Ibuprofen 30 mg/kg as a single loading dose for rapid fever control
D.Paracetamol 50 mg/kg as a single loading dose to maximize antipyretic effect
Explanation: Paracetamol dosed at 15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours, with a maximum of four doses in 24 hours, is the standard safe pediatric antipyretic regimen. It avoids both aspirin in children and overdosing of paracetamol.
7A drug has a half-life of 8 hours and follows first-order elimination. Approximately how long after stopping a continuous infusion will it take to reach steady-state elimination of about 97% of the drug from the body?
A.8 hours
B.16 hours
C.40 hours
D.80 hours
Explanation: It takes approximately five half-lives to eliminate about 97% of a drug. With an 8-hour half-life, five half-lives equal 40 hours. This rule also applies in reverse for reaching steady state during dosing.
8While checking a prescription, a pharmacist notices a verbal order for vincristine to be administered intrathecally. What is the correct action?
A.Dispense vincristine for intrathecal use as ordered; the prescriber selected the route
B.Substitute methotrexate IV without prescriber contact; this corrects the route error
C.Dilute vincristine and label for intrathecal use; dilution makes spinal administration safe
D.Refuse and clarify; intrathecal vincristine is fatal and IV is the only permitted route
Explanation: Vincristine given intrathecally causes ascending paralysis and death and must never be administered by that route; it is for intravenous use only. This is a sentinel medication-safety error, and the pharmacist must refuse and clarify the order.
9When compounding parenteral products in a Grade A laminar airflow hood, what is the primary purpose of aseptic technique?
A.Prevent microbial contamination of parenteral preparations during compounding
B.Extend tablet shelf life through improved coating during oral manufacturing
C.Improve taste of oral suspensions by reducing bitterness of active ingredients
D.Accelerate capsule dissolution rate in the gastrointestinal tract after ingestion
Explanation: Sterile compounding in a Grade A laminar airflow environment prevents microbial contamination of injectable and parenteral products that bypass the body's natural barriers. Contaminated parenterals can cause severe bloodstream infections.
10A patient taking simvastatin 40 mg is newly prescribed clarithromycin. What is the principal concern and most appropriate action?
A.No concern; clarithromycin and simvastatin may be continued together without adjustment
B.Suspend simvastatin during clarithromycin; CYP3A4 inhibition raises rhabdomyolysis risk
C.Reduce clarithromycin dose only; QT prolongation is the main interaction with statins
D.Double simvastatin dose to overcome clarithromycin inhibition of hepatic metabolism
Explanation: Clarithromycin is a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor that markedly raises simvastatin levels, increasing the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The recommended action is to suspend simvastatin during the short clarithromycin course.

About the DHA Pharmacist Exam Exam

The DHA Pharmacist Licensing Assessment (PHO5481) is a 150-question Prometric CBT with a 3-hour limit, USD 240 fee, and 60% pass mark. DHA publishes 14 content areas but does not publish percentage weights.

Assessment

150 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions delivered as a computer-based test through Prometric (code PHO5481), spanning the 14 official pharmacist content areas from clinical pharmacology and therapeutics to compounding, pharmacokinetics and UAE pharmacy law.

Time Limit

3 hours (180 minutes)

Passing Score

60% per the official DHA CBT Guideline; results are reported as Pass or Fail on the Sheryan portal

Exam Fee

USD 240, paid to Prometric at scheduling (non-refundable) (Dubai Health (formerly DHA))

DHA Pharmacist Exam Exam Content Outline

Not published

Toxicology

Recognition and management of poisoning, antidotes for organophosphates, paracetamol, opioids and tricyclic antidepressant overdose.

Not published

Medicinal Chemistry

Structure-activity relationships and selective toxicity of major drug classes such as beta-lactams and sulfonamides.

Not published

Sterile & Nonsterile Compounding

Aseptic technique, laminar airflow and biological safety cabinets, parenteral and TPN compatibility, suppository bases and cytotoxic containment.

Not published

Pharmaceutics / Biopharmaceutics

Dosage form design, the Biopharmaceutics Classification System, dissolution and the Noyes-Whitney relationship, and excipient selection.

Not published

Pharmacognosy & Dietary Supplements

Natural-product pharmacology, herb-drug interactions and supplement-related bleeding risk.

Not published

Pharmacy Calculation & Compounding

Concentration, ratio-strength, percentage-strength, weight-based and body-surface-area dosing, infusion rates and dispensing-quantity calculations.

Not published

Clinical Pharmacogenomics

Genotype-guided prescribing including CYP2C19 and clopidogrel and HLA-B*57:01 and abacavir hypersensitivity.

Not published

Infection Control

Hand hygiene, safe injection practice and sharps disposal, vaccine handling and cautions in immunocompromised patients.

Not published

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, half-life, bioavailability, first-pass effect, volume of distribution, zero- and first-order kinetics and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Not published

Pharmaceutical Care & Disease State Management

Patient-centered management of chronic and acute conditions including diabetes, asthma, heart failure, gout, anticoagulation, infection and counseling on safe medicine use.

Not published

Medication Safety

High-alert medicines, route and dosing errors, error-prone abbreviations, medication reconciliation, duplicate therapy and hypersensitivity recognition.

Not published

Over the Counter Medication

Responsible self-care advice and referral for cough, cold, allergic rhinitis, heartburn, constipation, pain, fever and emergency contraception.

Not published

Pharmacy Law & Ethics

UAE pharmacy regulations, controlled-drug storage and records, prescription validity, generic substitution, confidentiality, pharmacovigilance reporting and medicine registration and disposal.

Not published

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutic Decision Making

Mechanisms of action, drug interactions, adverse effects, contraindications and evidence-based selection of therapy across cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, infectious and neurological disorders.

How to Pass the DHA Pharmacist Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 60% per the official DHA CBT Guideline; results are reported as Pass or Fail on the Sheryan portal
  • Assessment: 150 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions delivered as a computer-based test through Prometric (code PHO5481), spanning the 14 official pharmacist content areas from clinical pharmacology and therapeutics to compounding, pharmacokinetics and UAE pharmacy law.
  • Time limit: 3 hours (180 minutes)
  • Exam fee: USD 240, paid to Prometric at scheduling (non-refundable)

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 125 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

DHA Pharmacist Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Use the current DHA CBT Guideline for Pharmacist code PHO5481 and cover all 14 published areas; DHA does not publish percentage weights.
2Drill pharmacy calculations under timed conditions: 150 questions in 180 minutes gives about 72 seconds per item.
3Review UAE pharmacy law, controlled-medicine handling, pharmacovigilance, medication safety, and clinical decision-making, then analyze every missed practice item.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the DHA pharmacist exam and how long is it?

Per the official DHA CBT Guideline, the Pharmacist exam (code PHO5481) has 150 multiple-choice questions with a 3-hour (180-minute) limit, delivered as a Prometric computer-based test. Some prep sites quote 120 questions, but the official guideline lists 150.

What is the passing score for the DHA pharmacist exam?

The official DHA CBT Guideline lists a 60% pass score for the Pharmacist exam (PHO5481). Results are reported as Pass or Fail on the Sheryan portal. The DHA Manual for Professional Assessment allows three DHA attempts and sets no mandatory waiting period between sittings.

How much does the DHA pharmacist exam cost?

The Prometric CBT fee is USD 240, paid directly to Prometric when scheduling. This is separate from the DHA Sheryan application fee, DataFlow primary source verification and final license activation fees.

What topics does the DHA pharmacist exam cover?

The official exam coverage lists 14 areas: toxicology, medicinal chemistry, sterile and nonsterile compounding, pharmaceutics/biopharmaceutics, pharmacognosy and dietary supplements, pharmacy calculation, clinical pharmacogenomics, infection control, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical care and disease state management, medication safety, over-the-counter medication, pharmacy law and ethics, and clinical pharmacology and therapeutic decision making.

Does every pharmacist applicant automatically take PHO5481?

Use the Sheryan self-assessment and current Professional Qualification Requirements. The assessment applies when required for the applicant’s licensing pathway; any exemption must come from the current DHA/UAE rules, not from a prep provider.