VIRGINIA MEDICATION AIDE PREP EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question 1
How is medication administered in the ear?
Correct Answer
placed in the ear canal created when the external ear is pulled up and back
Question 2
What are the components of a complete medication order
Correct Answer
Medication name
Strength of medication (if required)
Dosage of medication to be administered
Route of administration
Specific directions for use, including frequency of administration
Reason for administration if the medication is ordered PRN or "as needed"
Question 3
What is type 2 diabetes caused by?
Correct Answer
lifestyle
genetics
aging
Page 1 of 116
,Question 4
How is medication administered subcutaneous?
Correct Answer
injected into the fat with syringe
Question 1: What is the primary role of the Certified Medication Aide
(CMA) in Virginia?
A. To diagnose medical conditions
B. To administer medications under the supervision of a licensed nurse
C. To prescribe over-the-counter medications
D. To perform surgical procedures
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To administer medications under the supervision of
a licensed nurse
Rationale: The CMA's scope of practice is strictly limited to administering
medications and performing related tasks under the direct supervision of a
Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Question 2: Who is authorized to write a medication order that a CMA can
administer?
A. The CMA
B. A licensed physician or authorized prescriber
C. The facility director
D. The resident's family member
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A licensed physician or authorized prescriber
Rationale: Only a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or
other authorized prescriber can write a valid medication order.
Question 3: What should a CMA do if a resident's condition changes
significantly before passing medications?
A. Administer the medications as usual
B. Withhold all medications permanently
C. Notify the supervising nurse immediately
D. Call the physician directly to change the orders
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Notify the supervising nurse immediately
Rationale: The CMA must report any changes in the resident's condition to
the supervising nurse, who will then assess the resident and determine if the
medications should be given or held.
Question 4: Which of the following actions is outside the scope of practice
for a CMA in Virginia?
A. Administering oral medications
Page 2 of 116
,B. Applying topical creams
C. Administering intravenous (IV) push medications
D. Administering inhaler medications
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Administering intravenous (IV) push medications
Rationale: CMAs are not trained or authorized to administer intravenous
medications; this is strictly within the scope of licensed nursing staff.
Question 5: Can a CMA accept a verbal medication order from a physician
over the telephone?
A. Yes, if the nurse is busy
B. Yes, if the CMA writes it down accurately
C. No, only a licensed nurse or physician can accept verbal orders
D. Yes, if it is an emergency
CORRECT ANSWER: C. No, only a licensed nurse or physician can accept
verbal orders
Rationale: CMAs are not legally permitted to accept verbal or telephone
orders from physicians; this must be done by a licensed nurse.
Question 6: What is the CMA's responsibility regarding PRN (as needed)
medications?
A. To decide when the resident needs the medication
B. To administer the medication only after the nurse has assessed the
resident and authorized the dose
C. To assess the resident's pain level and document it before giving the
medication
D. To change the PRN order if the resident requests it frequently
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To administer the medication only after the nurse
has assessed the resident and authorized the dose
Rationale: The supervising nurse must assess the resident's need for a PRN
medication and authorize the CMA to administer it; the CMA does not
perform the initial clinical assessment.
Question 7: Which legal concept applies if a CMA administers a medication
they are not trained or authorized to give?
A. Malpractice
B. Negligence and practicing beyond the scope of practice
C. Informed consent
D. HIPAA violation
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Negligence and practicing beyond the scope of
practice
Rationale: Administering unauthorized medications constitutes negligence
Page 3 of 116
, and practicing beyond the legal scope of practice, which can result in
disciplinary action and legal liability.
Question 8: How should a CMA handle a situation where a resident's
family member asks for a specific medication to be given?
A. Give the medication if the family brings it
B. Explain that medications can only be given according to the physician's
orders
C. Call the physician to get a new order based on the family's request
D. Give an over-the-counter equivalent
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Explain that medications can only be given
according to the physician's orders
Rationale: CMAs must strictly follow the physician's orders and cannot
administer medications based on family requests without a valid, updated
order.
Question 9: What is the CMA's role in monitoring a resident's response to
a medication?
A. To diagnose any adverse reactions
B. To observe the resident and report any unusual signs or symptoms to the
nurse
C. To adjust the medication dose based on the resident's response
D. To document the medical diagnosis related to the medication
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To observe the resident and report any unusual
signs or symptoms to the nurse
Rationale: The CMA monitors for expected and adverse effects and must
report any abnormalities to the supervising nurse for further evaluation.
Question 10: Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for a CMA
to maintain their certification in Virginia?
A. Passing a medical board exam
B. Completing continuing education and renewing registration as required
by the state board
C. Obtaining a master's degree in nursing
D. Working a minimum of 40 hours a week
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Completing continuing education and renewing
registration as required by the state board
Rationale: CMAs must meet state-specific continuing education and renewal
requirements to maintain their active certification and registry status.
Question 11: Which of the following is NOT one of the "Rights" of
medication administration?
Page 4 of 116
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question 1
How is medication administered in the ear?
Correct Answer
placed in the ear canal created when the external ear is pulled up and back
Question 2
What are the components of a complete medication order
Correct Answer
Medication name
Strength of medication (if required)
Dosage of medication to be administered
Route of administration
Specific directions for use, including frequency of administration
Reason for administration if the medication is ordered PRN or "as needed"
Question 3
What is type 2 diabetes caused by?
Correct Answer
lifestyle
genetics
aging
Page 1 of 116
,Question 4
How is medication administered subcutaneous?
Correct Answer
injected into the fat with syringe
Question 1: What is the primary role of the Certified Medication Aide
(CMA) in Virginia?
A. To diagnose medical conditions
B. To administer medications under the supervision of a licensed nurse
C. To prescribe over-the-counter medications
D. To perform surgical procedures
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To administer medications under the supervision of
a licensed nurse
Rationale: The CMA's scope of practice is strictly limited to administering
medications and performing related tasks under the direct supervision of a
Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Question 2: Who is authorized to write a medication order that a CMA can
administer?
A. The CMA
B. A licensed physician or authorized prescriber
C. The facility director
D. The resident's family member
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A licensed physician or authorized prescriber
Rationale: Only a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or
other authorized prescriber can write a valid medication order.
Question 3: What should a CMA do if a resident's condition changes
significantly before passing medications?
A. Administer the medications as usual
B. Withhold all medications permanently
C. Notify the supervising nurse immediately
D. Call the physician directly to change the orders
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Notify the supervising nurse immediately
Rationale: The CMA must report any changes in the resident's condition to
the supervising nurse, who will then assess the resident and determine if the
medications should be given or held.
Question 4: Which of the following actions is outside the scope of practice
for a CMA in Virginia?
A. Administering oral medications
Page 2 of 116
,B. Applying topical creams
C. Administering intravenous (IV) push medications
D. Administering inhaler medications
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Administering intravenous (IV) push medications
Rationale: CMAs are not trained or authorized to administer intravenous
medications; this is strictly within the scope of licensed nursing staff.
Question 5: Can a CMA accept a verbal medication order from a physician
over the telephone?
A. Yes, if the nurse is busy
B. Yes, if the CMA writes it down accurately
C. No, only a licensed nurse or physician can accept verbal orders
D. Yes, if it is an emergency
CORRECT ANSWER: C. No, only a licensed nurse or physician can accept
verbal orders
Rationale: CMAs are not legally permitted to accept verbal or telephone
orders from physicians; this must be done by a licensed nurse.
Question 6: What is the CMA's responsibility regarding PRN (as needed)
medications?
A. To decide when the resident needs the medication
B. To administer the medication only after the nurse has assessed the
resident and authorized the dose
C. To assess the resident's pain level and document it before giving the
medication
D. To change the PRN order if the resident requests it frequently
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To administer the medication only after the nurse
has assessed the resident and authorized the dose
Rationale: The supervising nurse must assess the resident's need for a PRN
medication and authorize the CMA to administer it; the CMA does not
perform the initial clinical assessment.
Question 7: Which legal concept applies if a CMA administers a medication
they are not trained or authorized to give?
A. Malpractice
B. Negligence and practicing beyond the scope of practice
C. Informed consent
D. HIPAA violation
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Negligence and practicing beyond the scope of
practice
Rationale: Administering unauthorized medications constitutes negligence
Page 3 of 116
, and practicing beyond the legal scope of practice, which can result in
disciplinary action and legal liability.
Question 8: How should a CMA handle a situation where a resident's
family member asks for a specific medication to be given?
A. Give the medication if the family brings it
B. Explain that medications can only be given according to the physician's
orders
C. Call the physician to get a new order based on the family's request
D. Give an over-the-counter equivalent
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Explain that medications can only be given
according to the physician's orders
Rationale: CMAs must strictly follow the physician's orders and cannot
administer medications based on family requests without a valid, updated
order.
Question 9: What is the CMA's role in monitoring a resident's response to
a medication?
A. To diagnose any adverse reactions
B. To observe the resident and report any unusual signs or symptoms to the
nurse
C. To adjust the medication dose based on the resident's response
D. To document the medical diagnosis related to the medication
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To observe the resident and report any unusual
signs or symptoms to the nurse
Rationale: The CMA monitors for expected and adverse effects and must
report any abnormalities to the supervising nurse for further evaluation.
Question 10: Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for a CMA
to maintain their certification in Virginia?
A. Passing a medical board exam
B. Completing continuing education and renewing registration as required
by the state board
C. Obtaining a master's degree in nursing
D. Working a minimum of 40 hours a week
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Completing continuing education and renewing
registration as required by the state board
Rationale: CMAs must meet state-specific continuing education and renewal
requirements to maintain their active certification and registry status.
Question 11: Which of the following is NOT one of the "Rights" of
medication administration?
Page 4 of 116
