Certified MediCation aide aCtual exaM
test Bank 2
100 Questions with CorreCt answers
and detailed rationales
seCtion 1: MediCation adMinistration
fundaMentals (Questions 1–20)
1. Oral drugs can be given if the person:
A. is able to swallow
B. is unconscious or comatose
C. is at risk for aspiration
D. is vomiting
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Oral medications can only be given if the resident is able to swallow safely. Giving
oral medications to an unconscious, comatose, or vomiting resident, or to someone at risk
for aspiration, is dangerous and contraindicated .
2. 30 ml equals:
A. 2 tbsp
B. 10 tbsp
C. 1 tbsp
D. 5 tbsp
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 30 mL equals 2 tablespoons (1 tablespoon = 15 mL). This is a standard conversion
in medication administration .
3. When giving oral drugs, you should:
A. follow the Four Rights of Drug Administration
B. Touch the inside of the container's lid
C. help feed a person
D. follow the Six Rights of Drug Administration
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Medication aides must follow the Six Rights of Drug Administration (some
facilities use Seven Rights). Touching the inside of a container's lid contaminates the
medication .
4. Enteric-coated tablets dissolve in the:
A. mouth
B. stomach
C. small intestine
D. rectum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Enteric-coated tablets are designed to dissolve in the small intestine, not the
stomach. This prevents stomach irritation and protects the medication from stomach acid .
5. When giving oral drugs you should:
A. place a bottle lid upside down on the bedside table
B. stay with the person while he/she takes the drug
C. give liquid drugs before solid drugs
D. mix solid drugs with liquid drugs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The medication aide must stay with the resident while they take the medication
to ensure it is actually swallowed and to observe for any immediate reactions. Placing lids
upside down contaminates them .
6. Before crushing tablets or opening capsules, you should:
A. check with the nurse
B. ask another Medication Aide
C. ask the person
D. ask the doctor
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse must be consulted before crushing tablets or opening capsules. Some
medications are designed to be swallowed whole (extended-release, enteric-coated) and
crushing them can cause overdose or harm .
7. You are applying topical nitroglycerin. You:
A. check for an old application before applying a new one
B. rub or massage the ointment into the skin
C. shave an area to apply the ointment
D. apply the ointment to an irritated or open area
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Always check for and remove any old nitroglycerin patch or ointment before
applying a new dose to prevent overdose. Do not rub or massage the ointment in, and never
apply to irritated or open skin .
8. A medication aide must work under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.
A. True
B. False
C. Only required in hospitals
D. Only required in home health settings
Correct Answer: A (True)
Rationale: Medication aides do not hold a nursing license. State regulations require them to
function under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse (LVN or RN). The licensed nurse
remains professionally responsible for overseeing and verifying the aide's work .
9. Which of the following are types of drug reactions?
A. Local effect, systemic effect, and emotional (placebo) effect
B. Allergic reactions only
C. Local and systemic effects only
D. Placebo effect only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Drug reactions can be categorized by scope and mechanism: local effect (at site of
application), systemic effect (throughout the body via bloodstream), and placebo effect
(emotional or psychological response based on expectations) .
10. Which of the following is an unwanted medication reaction?
A. Allergic reaction, drug side effect, drug toxicity
B. Therapeutic effect
C. Desired response
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Unwanted or adverse medication reactions include drug side effects, drug toxicity
(often due to dosing issues or organ dysfunction), and allergic reactions (immune system
response). Medication aides must promptly report any signs to the supervising nurse .
11. The initial medication aide permit is valid for:
A. 6 months
B. 9 months
test Bank 2
100 Questions with CorreCt answers
and detailed rationales
seCtion 1: MediCation adMinistration
fundaMentals (Questions 1–20)
1. Oral drugs can be given if the person:
A. is able to swallow
B. is unconscious or comatose
C. is at risk for aspiration
D. is vomiting
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Oral medications can only be given if the resident is able to swallow safely. Giving
oral medications to an unconscious, comatose, or vomiting resident, or to someone at risk
for aspiration, is dangerous and contraindicated .
2. 30 ml equals:
A. 2 tbsp
B. 10 tbsp
C. 1 tbsp
D. 5 tbsp
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 30 mL equals 2 tablespoons (1 tablespoon = 15 mL). This is a standard conversion
in medication administration .
3. When giving oral drugs, you should:
A. follow the Four Rights of Drug Administration
B. Touch the inside of the container's lid
C. help feed a person
D. follow the Six Rights of Drug Administration
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Medication aides must follow the Six Rights of Drug Administration (some
facilities use Seven Rights). Touching the inside of a container's lid contaminates the
medication .
4. Enteric-coated tablets dissolve in the:
A. mouth
B. stomach
C. small intestine
D. rectum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Enteric-coated tablets are designed to dissolve in the small intestine, not the
stomach. This prevents stomach irritation and protects the medication from stomach acid .
5. When giving oral drugs you should:
A. place a bottle lid upside down on the bedside table
B. stay with the person while he/she takes the drug
C. give liquid drugs before solid drugs
D. mix solid drugs with liquid drugs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The medication aide must stay with the resident while they take the medication
to ensure it is actually swallowed and to observe for any immediate reactions. Placing lids
upside down contaminates them .
6. Before crushing tablets or opening capsules, you should:
A. check with the nurse
B. ask another Medication Aide
C. ask the person
D. ask the doctor
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse must be consulted before crushing tablets or opening capsules. Some
medications are designed to be swallowed whole (extended-release, enteric-coated) and
crushing them can cause overdose or harm .
7. You are applying topical nitroglycerin. You:
A. check for an old application before applying a new one
B. rub or massage the ointment into the skin
C. shave an area to apply the ointment
D. apply the ointment to an irritated or open area
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Always check for and remove any old nitroglycerin patch or ointment before
applying a new dose to prevent overdose. Do not rub or massage the ointment in, and never
apply to irritated or open skin .
8. A medication aide must work under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.
A. True
B. False
C. Only required in hospitals
D. Only required in home health settings
Correct Answer: A (True)
Rationale: Medication aides do not hold a nursing license. State regulations require them to
function under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse (LVN or RN). The licensed nurse
remains professionally responsible for overseeing and verifying the aide's work .
9. Which of the following are types of drug reactions?
A. Local effect, systemic effect, and emotional (placebo) effect
B. Allergic reactions only
C. Local and systemic effects only
D. Placebo effect only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Drug reactions can be categorized by scope and mechanism: local effect (at site of
application), systemic effect (throughout the body via bloodstream), and placebo effect
(emotional or psychological response based on expectations) .
10. Which of the following is an unwanted medication reaction?
A. Allergic reaction, drug side effect, drug toxicity
B. Therapeutic effect
C. Desired response
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Unwanted or adverse medication reactions include drug side effects, drug toxicity
(often due to dosing issues or organ dysfunction), and allergic reactions (immune system
response). Medication aides must promptly report any signs to the supervising nurse .
11. The initial medication aide permit is valid for:
A. 6 months
B. 9 months
