Indiana QMA Certification Practice
Test 2026: Questions & Answers with
Rationale for Ivy Tech Community
College
Question 1
What is pharmacology?
A) The study of the human body's structure
B) The study of medications and their effect on the body
C) The study of microorganisms
D) The study of surgical procedures
Answer: B) The study of medications and their effect on the body
Rationale: Pharmacology is the scientific study of drugs, including their
sources, properties, interactions, and effects on living organisms. QMAs
must understand pharmacology to safely administer medications and
recognize their effects and side effects in residents .
Question 2
Most medications are excreted by which organ?
A) Liver
B) Kidneys
,C) Lungs
D) Skin
Answer: B) Kidneys
Rationale: Most oral and parenteral medications are excreted by the
kidneys through urine. The kidneys filter medications from the bloodstream
and eliminate them from the body. QMAs should be aware that residents
with impaired kidney function may require dosage adjustments .
Question 3
What is an adverse drug reaction (ADR)?
A) The intended therapeutic effect of a medication
B) An undesired side effect or toxicity
C) The process of medication absorption
D) The medication's half-life
Answer: B) An undesired side effect or toxicity
Rationale: An adverse drug reaction (ADR) is an unintended, harmful
reaction to a medication at normal doses. ADRs can range from mild side
effects like nausea to severe reactions requiring immediate medical
intervention .
Question 4
,What are the five rights of medication administration?
A) Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time
B) Right patient, right drug, right dose, right room, right nurse
C) Right drug, right dose, right time, right doctor, right pharmacy
D) Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right documentation
Answer: A) Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time
Rationale: The traditional five rights are foundational to safe medication
administration. Many facilities add a sixth right (right documentation) or
seventh right (right to refuse), but the core five are right patient, right drug,
right dose, right route, and right time .
Question 5
A QMA must verify a resident's identity using at least:
A) One identifier (room number)
B) Two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth)
C) Three identifiers
D) The resident's photograph only
Answer: B) Two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth)
Rationale: Two patient identifiers such as name and date of birth are
required to ensure the right patient receives the medication. Room
numbers are not acceptable as a sole identifier since residents can change
rooms .
, Question 6
What is the systemic effect of a medication?
A) Effect limited to the site of application
B) Effect on the entire body
C) Effect only on the digestive system
D) Effect only on the respiratory system
Answer: B) Effect on the entire body
Rationale: A systemic effect occurs when medication is absorbed into the
bloodstream and distributed throughout the body, affecting multiple
systems. This contrasts with a local effect, which is limited to the site of
administration .
Question 7
What is the difference between a side effect and a toxic effect?
A) Side effects are always beneficial; toxic effects are harmful
B) Side effects are unintended but not life-threatening; toxic effects occur
from excessive medication and can be life-threatening
C) Side effects only occur with injectable medications
D) There is no difference
Answer: B) Side effects are unintended but not life-threatening; toxic
effects occur from excessive medication and can be life-threatening
Rationale: Side effects are unintended outcomes commonly undesirable
(nausea, headache) but typically not dangerous. Toxic effects occur when
too much medication is absorbed by the body and can be life-threatening .
Test 2026: Questions & Answers with
Rationale for Ivy Tech Community
College
Question 1
What is pharmacology?
A) The study of the human body's structure
B) The study of medications and their effect on the body
C) The study of microorganisms
D) The study of surgical procedures
Answer: B) The study of medications and their effect on the body
Rationale: Pharmacology is the scientific study of drugs, including their
sources, properties, interactions, and effects on living organisms. QMAs
must understand pharmacology to safely administer medications and
recognize their effects and side effects in residents .
Question 2
Most medications are excreted by which organ?
A) Liver
B) Kidneys
,C) Lungs
D) Skin
Answer: B) Kidneys
Rationale: Most oral and parenteral medications are excreted by the
kidneys through urine. The kidneys filter medications from the bloodstream
and eliminate them from the body. QMAs should be aware that residents
with impaired kidney function may require dosage adjustments .
Question 3
What is an adverse drug reaction (ADR)?
A) The intended therapeutic effect of a medication
B) An undesired side effect or toxicity
C) The process of medication absorption
D) The medication's half-life
Answer: B) An undesired side effect or toxicity
Rationale: An adverse drug reaction (ADR) is an unintended, harmful
reaction to a medication at normal doses. ADRs can range from mild side
effects like nausea to severe reactions requiring immediate medical
intervention .
Question 4
,What are the five rights of medication administration?
A) Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time
B) Right patient, right drug, right dose, right room, right nurse
C) Right drug, right dose, right time, right doctor, right pharmacy
D) Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right documentation
Answer: A) Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time
Rationale: The traditional five rights are foundational to safe medication
administration. Many facilities add a sixth right (right documentation) or
seventh right (right to refuse), but the core five are right patient, right drug,
right dose, right route, and right time .
Question 5
A QMA must verify a resident's identity using at least:
A) One identifier (room number)
B) Two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth)
C) Three identifiers
D) The resident's photograph only
Answer: B) Two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth)
Rationale: Two patient identifiers such as name and date of birth are
required to ensure the right patient receives the medication. Room
numbers are not acceptable as a sole identifier since residents can change
rooms .
, Question 6
What is the systemic effect of a medication?
A) Effect limited to the site of application
B) Effect on the entire body
C) Effect only on the digestive system
D) Effect only on the respiratory system
Answer: B) Effect on the entire body
Rationale: A systemic effect occurs when medication is absorbed into the
bloodstream and distributed throughout the body, affecting multiple
systems. This contrasts with a local effect, which is limited to the site of
administration .
Question 7
What is the difference between a side effect and a toxic effect?
A) Side effects are always beneficial; toxic effects are harmful
B) Side effects are unintended but not life-threatening; toxic effects occur
from excessive medication and can be life-threatening
C) Side effects only occur with injectable medications
D) There is no difference
Answer: B) Side effects are unintended but not life-threatening; toxic
effects occur from excessive medication and can be life-threatening
Rationale: Side effects are unintended outcomes commonly undesirable
(nausea, headache) but typically not dangerous. Toxic effects occur when
too much medication is absorbed by the body and can be life-threatening .
