Short answer: For the DHA exam for pharmacists, practise calculations until the steps are automatic, then add interaction checks, patient factors and counselling points. This page gives original worked examples and a checklist. We could not confirm the exam’s exact content or format for pharmacists, so check the current DHA guideline.
A note on scope for the DHA exam for pharmacists
Meddex is independent and is not connected to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or Prometric. We could not confirm the question count, time or content split for pharmacists. The examples below are original and for practice only. For a wider revision map, see the main guide to the DHA exam for pharmacists.
Calculation steps that stay the same
Whatever the question, the method is stable: convert units, write the formula, calculate, then check that the answer is plausible for the patient. More examples are in the dosage calculations guide.
Worked example 1: dose by weight
Example, written by Meddex. A patient weighs 60 kg. The dose is 15 mg per kg. The stock is 250 mg in 5 mL. How many millilitres are needed?
Dose: 15 times 60 is 900 mg. Volume: 900 divided by 250 is 3.6, and 3.6 times 5 mL is 18 mL. Check: 18 mL holds 900 mg, which matches the dose.
Worked example 2: dilution and infusion rate
Example, written by Meddex. You need 200 mL of a 5 mg per mL solution from a 50 mg per mL stock. Using C1 times V1 equals C2 times V2, V1 is 5 times 200 divided by 50, which is 20 mL of stock, made up to 200 mL.
A separate example: 500 mL to run over 4 hours is 500 divided by 4, which is 125 mL per hour. In a real setting, always check against local policy and the product information.
A counselling checklist for scenario questions
Scenario questions often hide the point in a patient detail. Before you look at the options, check these.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy.
- Kidney or liver function that changes the dose.
- Allergies and past reactions.
- Other medicines, including over-the-counter and herbal products.
- Age, swallowing and the ability to follow instructions.
- The key points to tell the patient: how to take it, what to watch for and when to seek help.
Safety-first thinking
When two options both seem reasonable, the better one usually adds a check or reduces risk. Revise high-risk medicines and confusable names in high-alert medications and look-alike drugs, which draws on ISMP lists, and use the medication safety guide for error prevention.
A weekly routine
Do five calculations on three days, ten scenario questions on two days and one review session where you rewrite every miss as a rule. Keep a log of the unit slips you make. They tend to repeat.
Common calculation errors to watch for
Most lost marks come from a few repeating slips. Name them so that you can catch them.
- Mixing mg and mcg, or g and mg, because the conversion was left until the end.
- Dividing when you should multiply, which gives an answer that is far too large or small. A plausibility check catches this.
- Forgetting that a concentration is per mL, not per vial.
- Rounding too early, so that small errors grow in the final step.
Reading a calculation stem
Read the stem twice. The first time, find the question and the unit the answer must be in. The second time, underline each number with its unit. Many wrong answers come from a correct calculation that answers the wrong question, such as giving the dose in mg when the stem asked for mL. Say the unit of the answer out loud before you start.
A worked counselling example
Example, written by Meddex. A woman who is planning a pregnancy asks for advice on a medicine she takes for acne. A strong answer in a scenario question does not simply name the drug. It recognises that pregnancy planning changes the risk, advises the patient not to stop or start anything without speaking to her prescriber, and refers her for review. When an option adds a check of a patient factor and a safe referral, it usually beats one that gives instructions without asking.
If you searched for this in other words
Pharmacists search for the DHA pharmacist exam, DHA pharmacy licensing exam questions, DHA exam for pharmacists in Dubai or DHA pharmacist exam preparation. Whatever the wording, start from the current DHA guideline for your title, then use practice that matches the question style it describes.
Related guide
For the official titles and content areas for pharmacists, see DHA exam for pharmacists.
Frequently asked questions
This article is general educational guidance, not official advice. Exam rules, fees and timelines are set by the Dubai Health Authority and the test provider and can change, so always confirm the latest details on their official channels.
Last updated .