QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (LATEST
2026) 100% VERIFIED (UPDATED)
Medication Aide State Test Exam Questions and Answers (1–100)
1) Drug action is affected by many factors. All of the following affect drug
action EXCEPT:
A. The patient's intelligence
B. The size and age of the patient
C. Other drugs the resident is taking
D. Time and route of administration
Answer: A. The patient's intelligence
Rationale:
• Drug action depends on physiological and pharmacological factors such as age,
metabolism, organ function, concurrent medications, and route/timing of
administration.
• Intelligence does not directly influence drug absorption, metabolism, or excretion.
• Factors like weight, organ function, and interactions are far more relevant to the
drug’s effectiveness.
2) Which abbreviations are most likely to be found on an order for eye
medication?
A. IM, IV, SQ
B. Stat, n.p.o., h.s.
C. bid, qid, tid, qod
D. OD, OU, OS, opth.
Answer: D. OD, OU, OS, opth.
,Rationale:
• OD = right eye, OS = left eye, OU = both eyes.
• “Opth.” indicates ophthalmic or eye-related medication.
• Other abbreviations are for general administration routes or timing, not eye-specific.
3) The drug name owned by the manufacturer is called the:
A. Brand name
B. Product name
C. Trade name
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale:
• Brand name, trade name, and product name all refer to the proprietary name
assigned by the manufacturer.
• It is distinct from the generic or chemical name, which is not owned by any one
company.
4) Pharmacokinetics is the study of:
A. The study of prescription drugs only
B. The signs and symptoms of disease
C. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs
D. None of the above
Answer: C. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs
Rationale:
• Pharmacokinetics (ADME) focuses on how the body handles drugs.
• Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion determine the duration and
intensity of drug effects.
• Pharmacodynamics, in contrast, studies how drugs act on the body.
,5) Examples of drugs made from animal sources are:
A. Insulin and heparin
B. Furosemide and castor oil
C. Magnesium hydrochloride and iodine
D. Iron and calcium
Answer: A. Insulin and heparin
Rationale:
• Insulin can be derived from pork or recombinant DNA technology; heparin comes
from animal tissues.
• Furosemide, minerals, and plant products come from synthetic, mineral, or plant
sources.
6) A patient may take two drugs for hypertension because of their:
A. Antagonistic effect
B. Potentiation
C. Synergistic effect
D. Idiosyncratic response
Answer: C. Synergistic effect
Rationale:
• Synergistic effect: combined effect of two drugs is greater than the sum of each
alone.
• Combination therapy is common in hypertension to maximize blood pressure control.
• Antagonistic effect would reduce effectiveness.
, 7) Pharmacodynamics is the study of:
A. Drug sources
B. The medical field
C. The diseases of the body
D. The interactions between drugs and the body
Answer: D. The interactions between drugs and the body
Rationale:
• Pharmacodynamics examines how drugs affect body systems.
• It includes the mechanism of action and dose-response relationships.
• It is distinct from pharmacokinetics, which studies the body’s handling of drugs.
8) The following abbreviations are correct EXCEPT:
A. b.i.d. means 2 times daily
B. n.p.o. means nothing by mouth
C. stat means now
D. q.i.d. means every other day
Answer: D. q.i.d. means every other day
Rationale:
• q.i.d. = four times a day, not every other day.
• Every other day is usually written as q.o.d., but it’s safer to spell it out.
• Confusing abbreviations can lead to medication errors.
9) Rules that ensure uniform strength, quality, and purity of drugs are
called:
A. Drug standards
B. Drug references
C. Drug laws
D. Drug specifications
Answer: A. Drug standards