Medication Aide — Ohio State Test
COMPREHENSIVE MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION KNOWLEDGE
ASSESSMENT
Institution Ohio Board of Nursing Exam Code OH-MA-C-STATE-2026
Medication Aide (MA-C) Academic
Program
Certification Year
Medication Aide Ohio State Total
Exam Title 75 Questions
Examination Questions
Course Medication Aide Training Multiple Choice — Select the
Format
Title Program Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
• Select the single best answer for each question.
• Questions cover medication administration, pharmacology basics, scope of practice, drug
classifications, and resident safety.
• Distinguish carefully between medication aide responsibilities and tasks restricted to
licensed nurses.
• Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for comprehensive
review.
• All content is derived from the Ohio Medication Aide Certification state test curriculum.
SECTION I — MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION,
PHARMACOLOGY & SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Questions 1–75
1. When administering Lanoxin (digoxin), what must the medication aide do
before giving the medication?
A. Check the resident's temperature for 30 seconds
B. Take the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds
C. Measure the resident's blood pressure in both arms
D. Ask the resident if they feel dizzy
,Correct Answer: B — Take the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds
Rationale: Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range and can cause bradycardia. The apical pulse
must be taken for a full 60 seconds (1 minute) before administration. If the pulse is below 60
beats per minute, the medication should be withheld and the nurse notified immediately.
2. Drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease work primarily by:
A. Decreasing serotonin levels in the brain
B. Increasing dopamine levels in the brain
C. Blocking acetylcholine receptors
D. Suppressing norepinephrine production
Correct Answer: B — Increasing dopamine levels in the brain
Rationale: Parkinson's disease is characterized by a deficiency of dopamine in the brain. Anti-
Parkinson medications work by increasing dopamine availability—either through dopamine
precursors (levodopa), dopamine agonists, or by inhibiting dopamine breakdown.
3. Most ACE inhibitors can be identified by which suffix, and what should be
monitored before administration?
A. They end in -olol; monitor temperature and respiratory rate
B. They end in -pril; check pulse and blood pressure as they affect both
C. They end in -sartan; monitor blood glucose levels
D. They end in -statin; monitor liver function tests
CORRECT ANSWER: B — They end in -pril; check pulse and blood pressure as they
affect both
RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril) end in "-pril." They slow
the heart rate and lower blood pressure. The medication aide must check both pulse and blood
pressure before administration and report significant changes to the nurse.
4. Anticholinergic medications are commonly given before surgery for which
purpose?
A. To increase heart rate
B. To dry up secretions
,C. To reduce pain
D. To induce sleep
CORRECT ANSWER: B — To dry up secretions
RATIONALE: Anticholinergics block acetylcholine, reducing salivary and respiratory
secretions. This is important preoperatively to decrease the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
and to keep the airway clear during surgery.
5. Insulin is produced in which organ?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Pancreas
D. Spleen
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Pancreas
RATIONALE: Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the
pancreas. It regulates blood glucose levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells. In diabetes,
insulin production is either insufficient (Type 2) or absent (Type 1).
6. When a resident is receiving thyroid replacement medication, the medication
aide should monitor for signs of hyperthyroidism. Which of the following are signs
of hyperthyroidism?
A. Lethargy, weight gain, and slow pulse
B. Jitteriness, weight loss, and rapid pulse
C. Constipation, dry skin, and cold intolerance
D. Increased appetite with no weight change
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Jitteriness, weight loss, and rapid pulse
RATIONALE: Hyperthyroidism results from excessive thyroid hormone, causing increased
metabolism. Signs include nervousness/jitteriness, unexplained weight loss, tachycardia (rapid
pulse), heat intolerance, and tremor. These indicate possible overmedication with thyroid
replacement therapy.
, 7. Treatment for Type 1 diabetes includes which combination?
A. Diet, exercise, and oral hypoglycemic agents only
B. Diet, exercise, and insulin
C. Insulin alone without dietary changes
D. Oral hypoglycemic agents and weight loss
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Diet, exercise, and insulin
RATIONALE: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells,
causing absolute insulin deficiency. Treatment requires lifelong insulin therapy combined with
appropriate diet and exercise. Oral hypoglycemic agents are not effective for Type 1 diabetes.
8. Treatment for Type 2 diabetes typically includes:
A. Insulin only, regardless of disease progression
B. Exercise, oral hypoglycemic agents, and possibly insulin with the oral agent
C. Diet alone without medication
D. Surgery as the first-line treatment
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Exercise, oral hypoglycemic agents, and possibly insulin with
the oral agent
RATIONALE: Type 2 diabetes management typically begins with lifestyle modifications (diet
and exercise) plus oral hypoglycemic agents. As the disease progresses, insulin may be added to
oral medication. This stepwise approach addresses the progressive nature of insulin resistance
and beta cell dysfunction.
9. Before administering digoxin, the medication aide must take the heart rate for:
A. 30 seconds and multiply by 2
B. 1 full minute
C. 15 seconds and multiply by 4
D. 45 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER: B — 1 full minute
RATIONALE: Due to digoxin's narrow therapeutic index and risk of bradycardia, the apical
pulse must be counted for a full 60 seconds. Shortened measurement methods are not acceptable
for this high-alert medication. Hold the medication if the pulse is below 60 bpm and notify the
nurse.
COMPREHENSIVE MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION KNOWLEDGE
ASSESSMENT
Institution Ohio Board of Nursing Exam Code OH-MA-C-STATE-2026
Medication Aide (MA-C) Academic
Program
Certification Year
Medication Aide Ohio State Total
Exam Title 75 Questions
Examination Questions
Course Medication Aide Training Multiple Choice — Select the
Format
Title Program Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
• Select the single best answer for each question.
• Questions cover medication administration, pharmacology basics, scope of practice, drug
classifications, and resident safety.
• Distinguish carefully between medication aide responsibilities and tasks restricted to
licensed nurses.
• Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for comprehensive
review.
• All content is derived from the Ohio Medication Aide Certification state test curriculum.
SECTION I — MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION,
PHARMACOLOGY & SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Questions 1–75
1. When administering Lanoxin (digoxin), what must the medication aide do
before giving the medication?
A. Check the resident's temperature for 30 seconds
B. Take the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds
C. Measure the resident's blood pressure in both arms
D. Ask the resident if they feel dizzy
,Correct Answer: B — Take the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds
Rationale: Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range and can cause bradycardia. The apical pulse
must be taken for a full 60 seconds (1 minute) before administration. If the pulse is below 60
beats per minute, the medication should be withheld and the nurse notified immediately.
2. Drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease work primarily by:
A. Decreasing serotonin levels in the brain
B. Increasing dopamine levels in the brain
C. Blocking acetylcholine receptors
D. Suppressing norepinephrine production
Correct Answer: B — Increasing dopamine levels in the brain
Rationale: Parkinson's disease is characterized by a deficiency of dopamine in the brain. Anti-
Parkinson medications work by increasing dopamine availability—either through dopamine
precursors (levodopa), dopamine agonists, or by inhibiting dopamine breakdown.
3. Most ACE inhibitors can be identified by which suffix, and what should be
monitored before administration?
A. They end in -olol; monitor temperature and respiratory rate
B. They end in -pril; check pulse and blood pressure as they affect both
C. They end in -sartan; monitor blood glucose levels
D. They end in -statin; monitor liver function tests
CORRECT ANSWER: B — They end in -pril; check pulse and blood pressure as they
affect both
RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril) end in "-pril." They slow
the heart rate and lower blood pressure. The medication aide must check both pulse and blood
pressure before administration and report significant changes to the nurse.
4. Anticholinergic medications are commonly given before surgery for which
purpose?
A. To increase heart rate
B. To dry up secretions
,C. To reduce pain
D. To induce sleep
CORRECT ANSWER: B — To dry up secretions
RATIONALE: Anticholinergics block acetylcholine, reducing salivary and respiratory
secretions. This is important preoperatively to decrease the risk of aspiration during anesthesia
and to keep the airway clear during surgery.
5. Insulin is produced in which organ?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Pancreas
D. Spleen
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Pancreas
RATIONALE: Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the
pancreas. It regulates blood glucose levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells. In diabetes,
insulin production is either insufficient (Type 2) or absent (Type 1).
6. When a resident is receiving thyroid replacement medication, the medication
aide should monitor for signs of hyperthyroidism. Which of the following are signs
of hyperthyroidism?
A. Lethargy, weight gain, and slow pulse
B. Jitteriness, weight loss, and rapid pulse
C. Constipation, dry skin, and cold intolerance
D. Increased appetite with no weight change
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Jitteriness, weight loss, and rapid pulse
RATIONALE: Hyperthyroidism results from excessive thyroid hormone, causing increased
metabolism. Signs include nervousness/jitteriness, unexplained weight loss, tachycardia (rapid
pulse), heat intolerance, and tremor. These indicate possible overmedication with thyroid
replacement therapy.
, 7. Treatment for Type 1 diabetes includes which combination?
A. Diet, exercise, and oral hypoglycemic agents only
B. Diet, exercise, and insulin
C. Insulin alone without dietary changes
D. Oral hypoglycemic agents and weight loss
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Diet, exercise, and insulin
RATIONALE: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells,
causing absolute insulin deficiency. Treatment requires lifelong insulin therapy combined with
appropriate diet and exercise. Oral hypoglycemic agents are not effective for Type 1 diabetes.
8. Treatment for Type 2 diabetes typically includes:
A. Insulin only, regardless of disease progression
B. Exercise, oral hypoglycemic agents, and possibly insulin with the oral agent
C. Diet alone without medication
D. Surgery as the first-line treatment
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Exercise, oral hypoglycemic agents, and possibly insulin with
the oral agent
RATIONALE: Type 2 diabetes management typically begins with lifestyle modifications (diet
and exercise) plus oral hypoglycemic agents. As the disease progresses, insulin may be added to
oral medication. This stepwise approach addresses the progressive nature of insulin resistance
and beta cell dysfunction.
9. Before administering digoxin, the medication aide must take the heart rate for:
A. 30 seconds and multiply by 2
B. 1 full minute
C. 15 seconds and multiply by 4
D. 45 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER: B — 1 full minute
RATIONALE: Due to digoxin's narrow therapeutic index and risk of bradycardia, the apical
pulse must be counted for a full 60 seconds. Shortened measurement methods are not acceptable
for this high-alert medication. Hold the medication if the pulse is below 60 bpm and notify the
nurse.
