Certified MediCation aide (CMa)
PraCtiCe exaM
100 Questions with CorreCt
answers and detailed rationales
Section 1: Medication Administration Fundamentals (Questions 1–20)
1. What are the Seven Rights of Medication Administration?
A. Right resident, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation,
right to refuse
B. Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right reason, right
documentation
C. Right resident, right drug, right amount, right method, right schedule, right charting, right
consent
D. Right person, right prescription, right dosage, right injection, right hour, right record, right
refusal
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Seven Rights are: Right Resident, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route,
Right Time, Right Documentation, and Right to Refuse .
2. Three factors that affect drug absorption include:
A. Age, sex, and weight
B. Height, blood type, and eye color
C. Race, religion, and occupation
D. Hair color, shoe size, and handedness
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Age, sex, and weight are three key factors that affect how drugs are absorbed in
the body .
3. A CMA accidentally gives a resident two aspirin tablets instead of the one tablet
ordered. What should the CMA do FIRST?
A. Document the error and continue with the medication pass
B. Immediately tell the supervisor
,C. Wait to see if the resident has any reaction
D. Give the resident extra water to dilute the medication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Any medication error must be reported immediately to the supervisor. Delaying
or hiding the error places the resident at risk and violates legal and ethical responsibilities .
4. While passing medications, a CMA's friend approaches the medication cart to chat
about a date. What should the CMA do?
A. Stop passing medications and listen to the story
B. Tell the friend to wait until the medication pass is finished
C. Explain that they will have to hear about it later, after medications are given
D. Ask the friend to help pass medications while they talk
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medication administration requires full attention. Interruptions can lead to
errors. The CMA should politely explain that they will talk later .
5. The CMA is scheduled to work from 3 PM to 11 PM but wakes up sick at 10 AM. When
should the CMA call the supervisor?
A. At 2 PM, just before the shift
B. At 10 AM, immediately upon knowing
C. After finding someone to cover the shift
D. The CMA does not need to call if they find a replacement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The CMA should call the supervisor as soon as they know they will be absent to
allow adequate time for staffing adjustments .
6. What is the normal blood pressure range for an adult?
A. 90/60 to 100/70 mmHg
B. 110/70 to 140/90 mmHg
C. 150/95 to 180/100 mmHg
D. 80/50 to 100/60 mmHg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal adult blood pressure range is generally considered 110–140 systolic over
70–90 diastolic .
7. When taking a blood pressure, where should the cuff be placed?
, A. Directly over the elbow
B. 4 inches above the elbow
C. 4 inches below the elbow
D. On the forearm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The blood pressure cuff should be placed approximately 4 inches (10 cm) above
the elbow over the brachial artery .
8. When measuring blood pressure, where should the bell of the stethoscope be placed?
A. Over the radial artery
B. Over the brachial artery
C. Over the carotid artery
D. Over the femoral artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The bell of the stethoscope should be placed over the brachial artery, which is
located in the antecubital space .
9. What is the average respiratory rate for an adult?
A. 8–10 breaths per minute
B. 12–16 breaths per minute
C. 20–24 breaths per minute
D. 28–32 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The average respiratory rate for an adult is 12–16 breaths per minute .
10. What is an objective observation in medical documentation?
A. What the resident tells you they feel
B. An observation that can be seen or measured, such as facial grimaces
C. The resident's opinion about their care
D. A family member's report of symptoms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An objective observation is factual or measurable, such as facial grimaces, vital
signs, or visible swelling. Subjective observations are what the resident reports feeling .
11. What is an adverse reaction to a medication?
A. The expected therapeutic effect
B. An unfavorable or harmful unintended action of a medication
PraCtiCe exaM
100 Questions with CorreCt
answers and detailed rationales
Section 1: Medication Administration Fundamentals (Questions 1–20)
1. What are the Seven Rights of Medication Administration?
A. Right resident, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation,
right to refuse
B. Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right reason, right
documentation
C. Right resident, right drug, right amount, right method, right schedule, right charting, right
consent
D. Right person, right prescription, right dosage, right injection, right hour, right record, right
refusal
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Seven Rights are: Right Resident, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route,
Right Time, Right Documentation, and Right to Refuse .
2. Three factors that affect drug absorption include:
A. Age, sex, and weight
B. Height, blood type, and eye color
C. Race, religion, and occupation
D. Hair color, shoe size, and handedness
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Age, sex, and weight are three key factors that affect how drugs are absorbed in
the body .
3. A CMA accidentally gives a resident two aspirin tablets instead of the one tablet
ordered. What should the CMA do FIRST?
A. Document the error and continue with the medication pass
B. Immediately tell the supervisor
,C. Wait to see if the resident has any reaction
D. Give the resident extra water to dilute the medication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Any medication error must be reported immediately to the supervisor. Delaying
or hiding the error places the resident at risk and violates legal and ethical responsibilities .
4. While passing medications, a CMA's friend approaches the medication cart to chat
about a date. What should the CMA do?
A. Stop passing medications and listen to the story
B. Tell the friend to wait until the medication pass is finished
C. Explain that they will have to hear about it later, after medications are given
D. Ask the friend to help pass medications while they talk
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medication administration requires full attention. Interruptions can lead to
errors. The CMA should politely explain that they will talk later .
5. The CMA is scheduled to work from 3 PM to 11 PM but wakes up sick at 10 AM. When
should the CMA call the supervisor?
A. At 2 PM, just before the shift
B. At 10 AM, immediately upon knowing
C. After finding someone to cover the shift
D. The CMA does not need to call if they find a replacement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The CMA should call the supervisor as soon as they know they will be absent to
allow adequate time for staffing adjustments .
6. What is the normal blood pressure range for an adult?
A. 90/60 to 100/70 mmHg
B. 110/70 to 140/90 mmHg
C. 150/95 to 180/100 mmHg
D. 80/50 to 100/60 mmHg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal adult blood pressure range is generally considered 110–140 systolic over
70–90 diastolic .
7. When taking a blood pressure, where should the cuff be placed?
, A. Directly over the elbow
B. 4 inches above the elbow
C. 4 inches below the elbow
D. On the forearm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The blood pressure cuff should be placed approximately 4 inches (10 cm) above
the elbow over the brachial artery .
8. When measuring blood pressure, where should the bell of the stethoscope be placed?
A. Over the radial artery
B. Over the brachial artery
C. Over the carotid artery
D. Over the femoral artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The bell of the stethoscope should be placed over the brachial artery, which is
located in the antecubital space .
9. What is the average respiratory rate for an adult?
A. 8–10 breaths per minute
B. 12–16 breaths per minute
C. 20–24 breaths per minute
D. 28–32 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The average respiratory rate for an adult is 12–16 breaths per minute .
10. What is an objective observation in medical documentation?
A. What the resident tells you they feel
B. An observation that can be seen or measured, such as facial grimaces
C. The resident's opinion about their care
D. A family member's report of symptoms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An objective observation is factual or measurable, such as facial grimaces, vital
signs, or visible swelling. Subjective observations are what the resident reports feeling .
11. What is an adverse reaction to a medication?
A. The expected therapeutic effect
B. An unfavorable or harmful unintended action of a medication
