Certified MediCation aide final aCtual
exaM
100 Questions with CorreCt answers and
detailed rationales
seCtion 1: authorized duties, sCope of
praCtiCe, and legal issues (Questions 1–
15)
1. A medication aide is preparing to administer medications to a resident. Which route of
administration is within the scope of practice for a medication aide?
A. Intramuscular injection
B. Subcutaneous injection
C. Oral administration
D. Intravascular injection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Oral (PO) administration is one of the primary routes safe for medication aide
scope of practice, along with topical and inhalation. Intramuscular, subcutaneous, and
intravascular injections are strictly prohibited for medication aides .
2. A licensed nurse asks a medication aide to administer an insulin injection
subcutaneously. What is the MOST appropriate response?
A. Administer the injection since the nurse requested it
B. Politely decline and explain that subcutaneous injections are outside the medication aide
scope of practice
C. Administer the injection but document that the nurse gave the order
D. Ask another medication aide to administer the injection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are a prohibited route for medication aides regardless of
who requests the action. The aide must decline because it falls outside their legal scope of
practice .
3. Which scenario BEST describes the legal concept of negligence in medication
administration?
,A. Charting that a medication was given when it was not administered
B. Failing to administer Lomotil as ordered, resulting in potential harm
C. Taking a dose of a controlled substance for personal use
D. Discussing a resident's diagnosis with an unauthorized visitor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Negligence is the failure to provide ordered care that results in potential harm.
Failing to administer a prescribed medication constitutes negligence .
4. A medication aide charted on the MAR that a resident received medication, but the
medication was never administered. This is classified as:
A. Negligence
B. Malpractice
C. Fraud
D. Diversion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fraud involves intentional deception. Falsifying a legal medical record by charting
a medication as given when it was not administered is fraud .
5. A medication aide is observed placing a dose of methadone in their pocket while on
duty. This behavior is an example of:
A. Negligence
B. Fraud
C. Malpractice
D. Diversion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Diversion is the unlawful transfer of a controlled substance for personal use or
sale .
6. When should a Medication Aide report a medication error to the supervisor?
A. Before the next medication is due
B. During end-of-shift report
C. As soon as the error occurs
D. After calling the physician
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medication errors must be reported immediately to the supervisor. Delaying
places the resident at risk .
7. Which of the following actions may the medication aide complete appropriately?
, A. Administering medications
B. Ordering medications
C. Assessment of the resident's condition
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of medications
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Medication aides may administer medications under supervision. Ordering,
assessment, and evaluation are RN or provider responsibilities .
8. The Medication Aide is responsible for administering medications:
A. Only the medications learned in school
B. Under the direct supervision of a nurse
C. By all routes
D. Expired medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Medication aides must work under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse at
all times .
9. Before giving a medication, the label is checked for all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Dosage
B. Expiration date
C. Name
D. Cost
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The label is checked for medication name, dosage, and expiration date. Cost is
not a clinical consideration .
10. What is the initial medication aide permit typically valid for?
A. 6 months
B. 9 months
C. 12 months
D. 24 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An initial medication aide permit is typically valid for 12 months .
11. Which of the following is a symptom of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic
reaction?
exaM
100 Questions with CorreCt answers and
detailed rationales
seCtion 1: authorized duties, sCope of
praCtiCe, and legal issues (Questions 1–
15)
1. A medication aide is preparing to administer medications to a resident. Which route of
administration is within the scope of practice for a medication aide?
A. Intramuscular injection
B. Subcutaneous injection
C. Oral administration
D. Intravascular injection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Oral (PO) administration is one of the primary routes safe for medication aide
scope of practice, along with topical and inhalation. Intramuscular, subcutaneous, and
intravascular injections are strictly prohibited for medication aides .
2. A licensed nurse asks a medication aide to administer an insulin injection
subcutaneously. What is the MOST appropriate response?
A. Administer the injection since the nurse requested it
B. Politely decline and explain that subcutaneous injections are outside the medication aide
scope of practice
C. Administer the injection but document that the nurse gave the order
D. Ask another medication aide to administer the injection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are a prohibited route for medication aides regardless of
who requests the action. The aide must decline because it falls outside their legal scope of
practice .
3. Which scenario BEST describes the legal concept of negligence in medication
administration?
,A. Charting that a medication was given when it was not administered
B. Failing to administer Lomotil as ordered, resulting in potential harm
C. Taking a dose of a controlled substance for personal use
D. Discussing a resident's diagnosis with an unauthorized visitor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Negligence is the failure to provide ordered care that results in potential harm.
Failing to administer a prescribed medication constitutes negligence .
4. A medication aide charted on the MAR that a resident received medication, but the
medication was never administered. This is classified as:
A. Negligence
B. Malpractice
C. Fraud
D. Diversion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fraud involves intentional deception. Falsifying a legal medical record by charting
a medication as given when it was not administered is fraud .
5. A medication aide is observed placing a dose of methadone in their pocket while on
duty. This behavior is an example of:
A. Negligence
B. Fraud
C. Malpractice
D. Diversion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Diversion is the unlawful transfer of a controlled substance for personal use or
sale .
6. When should a Medication Aide report a medication error to the supervisor?
A. Before the next medication is due
B. During end-of-shift report
C. As soon as the error occurs
D. After calling the physician
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medication errors must be reported immediately to the supervisor. Delaying
places the resident at risk .
7. Which of the following actions may the medication aide complete appropriately?
, A. Administering medications
B. Ordering medications
C. Assessment of the resident's condition
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of medications
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Medication aides may administer medications under supervision. Ordering,
assessment, and evaluation are RN or provider responsibilities .
8. The Medication Aide is responsible for administering medications:
A. Only the medications learned in school
B. Under the direct supervision of a nurse
C. By all routes
D. Expired medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Medication aides must work under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse at
all times .
9. Before giving a medication, the label is checked for all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Dosage
B. Expiration date
C. Name
D. Cost
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The label is checked for medication name, dosage, and expiration date. Cost is
not a clinical consideration .
10. What is the initial medication aide permit typically valid for?
A. 6 months
B. 9 months
C. 12 months
D. 24 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An initial medication aide permit is typically valid for 12 months .
11. Which of the following is a symptom of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic
reaction?