Indiana QMA (Qualified Medication
Aide) Competency Exam
Advanced Practice
Question Bank
– 150 Multiple
-Choice Questions
with Rationales
a well detailed one
written and graded A+ upgraded
Exam Overview: The Indiana Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) competency evaluation
test consists of multiple-choice questions requiring a passing score of 80%. QMAs are
Certified Nursing Assistants who have completed an additional 100 hours of training in
pharmacology and medication knowledge. This question bank covers all major content
areas including scope of practice, drug classifications, medication administration, safety,
legal/ethical issues, documentation, and infection control.
SECTION 1: ROLE, SCOPE OF PRACTICE, AND
RESPONSIBILITIES (Questions 1-20)
,1. A Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) in Indiana may administer medications in
which of the following settings?
• A) Acute care hospital
• B) Long-term care facility under the supervision of a licensed nurse
• C) Independent physician's office
• D) Patient's private home as a home health aide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Indiana State Department of Health permits QMAs to administer
medications only in licensed long-term care facilities (nursing homes) under the
delegation and supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN).
QMAs are not authorized to work in acute care hospitals, physician offices, or private
homes in this capacity.
2. Which of the following tasks is OUTSIDE the scope of practice for a QMA in
Indiana?
• A) Administering oral medications from a medication cart
• B) Applying transdermal patches
• C) Administering intravenous (IV) push medications
• D) Instilling eye drops as prescribed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: QMAs are not permitted to administer any parenteral medications
intravenously. Indiana QMA rules prohibit IV administration, IV piggybacks, and IV push
medications—these are nursing tasks. Oral medications, transdermal patches, and eye
drops are within the QMA scope of practice.
3. A QMA observes a resident having difficulty swallowing a large tablet. The most
appropriate action is to:
• A) Crush the tablet without checking
• B) Notify the licensed nurse and follow facility policy
, • C) Have the resident chew the tablet
• D) Skip the dose and document as "refused"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The QMA must notify the licensed nurse and follow facility policy (e.g.,
request an alternate formulation). A QMA may crush or alter medications only as
approved by the physician or manufacturer. Crushing without verification, forcing
chewing, or skipping the dose are all inappropriate actions that could harm the resident.
4. A QMA may administer oxygen only in which circumstance?
• A) As a routine daily treatment ordered by the physician
• B) In emergency situations only
• C) As needed for any resident showing signs of respiratory distress
• D) At the direction of any facility staff member
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: QMAs may administer oxygen only in emergency situations. Routine oxygen
administration and adjustments require licensed nursing staff. The QMA must recognize
emergency situations and act within their scope of practice.
5. According to Indiana regulations, how often must a QMA renew their
certification?
• A) Every 1 year
• B) Every 2 years
• C) Every 3 years
• D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Indiana law requires QMA certification renewal biennially (every 2 years),
including completion of continuing education and a competency assessment. To stay
, active, QMAs must work at least eight hours in nursing-related duties and complete six
hours of medication-related in-service training each two-year renewal period.
6. A QMA works under the direct supervision of which type of healthcare
professional?
• A) Physician
• B) Registered nurse or licensed practical nurse
• C) Pharmacist
• D) Nursing home administrator
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: QMAs work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or licensed
practical nurse and can perform only procedures defined within the QMA scope of
practice. The supervising nurse delegates medication administration tasks and is
responsible for overall resident care.
7. Which of the following best describes the relationship between a CNA and a
QMA in Indiana?
• A) A QMA is a CNA who has completed additional training and certification in
medication administration
• B) A QMA and CNA have identical scopes of practice
• C) A QMA replaces the need for CNAs in a facility
• D) A QMA must first become an LPN before administering medications
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: QMAs are CNAs that have completed an additional 100 hours of training in
pharmacology and medication knowledge and passed a written exam. QMAs retain their
CNA certification and duties while also being authorized to administer medications.
Aide) Competency Exam
Advanced Practice
Question Bank
– 150 Multiple
-Choice Questions
with Rationales
a well detailed one
written and graded A+ upgraded
Exam Overview: The Indiana Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) competency evaluation
test consists of multiple-choice questions requiring a passing score of 80%. QMAs are
Certified Nursing Assistants who have completed an additional 100 hours of training in
pharmacology and medication knowledge. This question bank covers all major content
areas including scope of practice, drug classifications, medication administration, safety,
legal/ethical issues, documentation, and infection control.
SECTION 1: ROLE, SCOPE OF PRACTICE, AND
RESPONSIBILITIES (Questions 1-20)
,1. A Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) in Indiana may administer medications in
which of the following settings?
• A) Acute care hospital
• B) Long-term care facility under the supervision of a licensed nurse
• C) Independent physician's office
• D) Patient's private home as a home health aide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Indiana State Department of Health permits QMAs to administer
medications only in licensed long-term care facilities (nursing homes) under the
delegation and supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN).
QMAs are not authorized to work in acute care hospitals, physician offices, or private
homes in this capacity.
2. Which of the following tasks is OUTSIDE the scope of practice for a QMA in
Indiana?
• A) Administering oral medications from a medication cart
• B) Applying transdermal patches
• C) Administering intravenous (IV) push medications
• D) Instilling eye drops as prescribed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: QMAs are not permitted to administer any parenteral medications
intravenously. Indiana QMA rules prohibit IV administration, IV piggybacks, and IV push
medications—these are nursing tasks. Oral medications, transdermal patches, and eye
drops are within the QMA scope of practice.
3. A QMA observes a resident having difficulty swallowing a large tablet. The most
appropriate action is to:
• A) Crush the tablet without checking
• B) Notify the licensed nurse and follow facility policy
, • C) Have the resident chew the tablet
• D) Skip the dose and document as "refused"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The QMA must notify the licensed nurse and follow facility policy (e.g.,
request an alternate formulation). A QMA may crush or alter medications only as
approved by the physician or manufacturer. Crushing without verification, forcing
chewing, or skipping the dose are all inappropriate actions that could harm the resident.
4. A QMA may administer oxygen only in which circumstance?
• A) As a routine daily treatment ordered by the physician
• B) In emergency situations only
• C) As needed for any resident showing signs of respiratory distress
• D) At the direction of any facility staff member
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: QMAs may administer oxygen only in emergency situations. Routine oxygen
administration and adjustments require licensed nursing staff. The QMA must recognize
emergency situations and act within their scope of practice.
5. According to Indiana regulations, how often must a QMA renew their
certification?
• A) Every 1 year
• B) Every 2 years
• C) Every 3 years
• D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Indiana law requires QMA certification renewal biennially (every 2 years),
including completion of continuing education and a competency assessment. To stay
, active, QMAs must work at least eight hours in nursing-related duties and complete six
hours of medication-related in-service training each two-year renewal period.
6. A QMA works under the direct supervision of which type of healthcare
professional?
• A) Physician
• B) Registered nurse or licensed practical nurse
• C) Pharmacist
• D) Nursing home administrator
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: QMAs work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or licensed
practical nurse and can perform only procedures defined within the QMA scope of
practice. The supervising nurse delegates medication administration tasks and is
responsible for overall resident care.
7. Which of the following best describes the relationship between a CNA and a
QMA in Indiana?
• A) A QMA is a CNA who has completed additional training and certification in
medication administration
• B) A QMA and CNA have identical scopes of practice
• C) A QMA replaces the need for CNAs in a facility
• D) A QMA must first become an LPN before administering medications
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: QMAs are CNAs that have completed an additional 100 hours of training in
pharmacology and medication knowledge and passed a written exam. QMAs retain their
CNA certification and duties while also being authorized to administer medications.
