Texas Medication Aide Certification
6 2 0 2 M A X E E TAT S
TX CMA
State Board of Nursing · Medication Administration
S A F E M E D I C AT I O N P R A C T I C E S · Q U A L I T Y R E S I D E N T C A R E
STATE EXAM
Med Aide State Exam — Texas 2026
V I TA L S I G N S · D R U G C L A SS I F I C AT I O N S · R O U T E S · A B B R E V I AT I O N S · S K I N CO N D I T I O N S · S A F E TY
INSTITUTION Texas Medication Aide Certification Board COURSE CODE TX-CMA-STATE-2026
PROGRAM Certified Medication Aide (CMA) · Long- ACADEMIC YEAR
Term Care
EXAM TITLE Texas Medication Aide — State TOTAL QUESTIONS 40 Questions
Examination Review
COURSE TITLE Medication Administration for Unlicensed FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False — Select the
Personnel · Texas State Exam Preparation Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Questions cover Texas-specific medication aide regulations, vital sign ranges, drug classifications, routes, abbreviations, and
scope of practice.
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on Texas Medication Aide certification curriculum.
▸ Pay careful attention to tasks prohibited for medication aides and notification requirements.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for comprehensive exam preparation.
VITAL SIGNS · DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS · ROUTES · ABBREVIATIONS · SKIN Questions 1
· SCOPE OF PRACTICE – 40
1. Cellulitis occurs when:
A. A viral infection attacks the respiratory system
B. Bacteria enters the body through a crack or break in the skin
C. An autoimmune response attacks the joints
D. Fungal spores are inhaled into the lungs
CORRECT ANSWER B. Bacteria enters the body through a crack or break in the skin
RATIONALE Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection (commonly Staphylococcus or Streptococcus) that enters through breaks
in the skin—surgical sites, cuts, puncture wounds, sores, or even cracks between toes. It causes redness,
warmth, swelling, and pain. Treatment: antibiotics (amoxicillin, cephalexin, other penicillins/cephalosporins).
The medication aide must report signs of skin infection promptly.
, 2. Omitted medicine means:
A. A medication given at the wrong time
B. A medicine that has not been administered to the patient for whom it is prescribed in accordance with the
prescription
C. A medication administered by the wrong route
D. A medication refused by the resident
CORRECT ANSWER B. A medicine that has not been administered to the patient for whom it is prescribed in accordance
with the prescription
RATIONALE An omitted medication is one that was prescribed and scheduled but never administered. This is a
medication error and must be documented and reported to the licensed nurse immediately. Omission differs
from refusal—a refusal is the resident's choice and is documented as "refused." Omission means the
medication aide failed to administer it.
3. Medication aides must report a change of address or contact information within how many days?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
CORRECT ANSWER B. 30 days
RATIONALE Texas medication aides must report any change of address or contact information to the certifying board
within 30 days. Failure to maintain current contact information can result in missed renewal notices,
disciplinary communications, or lapsed certification. This is a professional responsibility that ensures the
regulatory board can reach the permit holder.
4. What hormones are produced in the pancreas?
A. Estrogen and progesterone
B. Insulin and glucagon
C. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine
D. Cortisol and aldosterone
CORRECT ANSWER B. Insulin and glucagon
RATIONALE The pancreas (islets of Langerhans) produces insulin (beta cells—lowers blood glucose by facilitating cellular
uptake) and glucagon (alpha cells—raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogen breakdown). These
hormones work antagonistically to maintain glucose homeostasis. Diabetes results from insufficient insulin
production (Type 1) or insulin resistance (Type 2).
5. Acetaminophen is a legend drug. True or False?
A. True
B. False
CORRECT ANSWER B. False
RATIONALE Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an OTC (over-the-counter) medication—NOT a legend (prescription) drug. Legend
drugs require a prescription and bear the legend: "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without a
prescription." Acetaminophen is available without a prescription, though it may also be prescribed in higher
doses or in combination products (e.g., with hydrocodone—Norco, which IS a legend drug).
6 2 0 2 M A X E E TAT S
TX CMA
State Board of Nursing · Medication Administration
S A F E M E D I C AT I O N P R A C T I C E S · Q U A L I T Y R E S I D E N T C A R E
STATE EXAM
Med Aide State Exam — Texas 2026
V I TA L S I G N S · D R U G C L A SS I F I C AT I O N S · R O U T E S · A B B R E V I AT I O N S · S K I N CO N D I T I O N S · S A F E TY
INSTITUTION Texas Medication Aide Certification Board COURSE CODE TX-CMA-STATE-2026
PROGRAM Certified Medication Aide (CMA) · Long- ACADEMIC YEAR
Term Care
EXAM TITLE Texas Medication Aide — State TOTAL QUESTIONS 40 Questions
Examination Review
COURSE TITLE Medication Administration for Unlicensed FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False — Select the
Personnel · Texas State Exam Preparation Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Questions cover Texas-specific medication aide regulations, vital sign ranges, drug classifications, routes, abbreviations, and
scope of practice.
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on Texas Medication Aide certification curriculum.
▸ Pay careful attention to tasks prohibited for medication aides and notification requirements.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for comprehensive exam preparation.
VITAL SIGNS · DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS · ROUTES · ABBREVIATIONS · SKIN Questions 1
· SCOPE OF PRACTICE – 40
1. Cellulitis occurs when:
A. A viral infection attacks the respiratory system
B. Bacteria enters the body through a crack or break in the skin
C. An autoimmune response attacks the joints
D. Fungal spores are inhaled into the lungs
CORRECT ANSWER B. Bacteria enters the body through a crack or break in the skin
RATIONALE Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection (commonly Staphylococcus or Streptococcus) that enters through breaks
in the skin—surgical sites, cuts, puncture wounds, sores, or even cracks between toes. It causes redness,
warmth, swelling, and pain. Treatment: antibiotics (amoxicillin, cephalexin, other penicillins/cephalosporins).
The medication aide must report signs of skin infection promptly.
, 2. Omitted medicine means:
A. A medication given at the wrong time
B. A medicine that has not been administered to the patient for whom it is prescribed in accordance with the
prescription
C. A medication administered by the wrong route
D. A medication refused by the resident
CORRECT ANSWER B. A medicine that has not been administered to the patient for whom it is prescribed in accordance
with the prescription
RATIONALE An omitted medication is one that was prescribed and scheduled but never administered. This is a
medication error and must be documented and reported to the licensed nurse immediately. Omission differs
from refusal—a refusal is the resident's choice and is documented as "refused." Omission means the
medication aide failed to administer it.
3. Medication aides must report a change of address or contact information within how many days?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
CORRECT ANSWER B. 30 days
RATIONALE Texas medication aides must report any change of address or contact information to the certifying board
within 30 days. Failure to maintain current contact information can result in missed renewal notices,
disciplinary communications, or lapsed certification. This is a professional responsibility that ensures the
regulatory board can reach the permit holder.
4. What hormones are produced in the pancreas?
A. Estrogen and progesterone
B. Insulin and glucagon
C. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine
D. Cortisol and aldosterone
CORRECT ANSWER B. Insulin and glucagon
RATIONALE The pancreas (islets of Langerhans) produces insulin (beta cells—lowers blood glucose by facilitating cellular
uptake) and glucagon (alpha cells—raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogen breakdown). These
hormones work antagonistically to maintain glucose homeostasis. Diabetes results from insufficient insulin
production (Type 1) or insulin resistance (Type 2).
5. Acetaminophen is a legend drug. True or False?
A. True
B. False
CORRECT ANSWER B. False
RATIONALE Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an OTC (over-the-counter) medication—NOT a legend (prescription) drug. Legend
drugs require a prescription and bear the legend: "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without a
prescription." Acetaminophen is available without a prescription, though it may also be prescribed in higher
doses or in combination products (e.g., with hydrocodone—Norco, which IS a legend drug).
