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Medication Aide Certification Exam (MACE)
2026/2027 | Latest Verified Questions and Detailed
Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The Medication Aide Certification Exam (MACE) assesses a candidate’s ability to safely
administer medications, observe residents, and report findings within a defined legal scope
of practice. The exam emphasizes the "Six Rights" of administration, accurate dosage
calculations, proper use of routes (oral, topical, otic, ophthalmic, rectal, sublingual, and
inhaled), and strict protocols for controlled substances and infection control. Candidates
must also master pharmacology basics—such as common side effects and drug
interactions—as well as documentation standards, ethical responsibilities, and the
appropriate steps for reporting medication errors, refusals, or adverse reactions to the
supervising nurse.
QUESTION 1
A resident refuses a scheduled dose of metoprolol. What should the medication aide do
first?
A) Crush the tablet and mix it with applesauce
B) Document the refusal and notify the nurse
C) Hide the medication in the resident’s food
D) Persuade the resident to take it later
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The medication aide must respect a resident’s right to refuse
medication and immediately document the refusal while reporting to the supervising
nurse.
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QUESTION 2
Which of the following is part of the “Right Time” in medication administration?
A) Giving the medication within 30 minutes before or after the scheduled time
B) Taking the resident’s pulse before each dose
C) Checking the expiration date on the bottle
D) Offering water with every tablet
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: The “Right Time” means administering medication within an
acceptable window, typically 30 minutes before or after the prescribed time, to maintain
therapeutic levels.
QUESTION 3
A medication aide notices a controlled substance tablet missing during count. What is
the proper action?
A) Ignore it if the difference is small
B) Document the discrepancy and report immediately to the nurse
C) Replace it with a similar-looking vitamin
D) Wait until the end of the shift to mention it
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Any discrepancy in controlled substances must be documented
and reported to the supervising nurse immediately per legal and facility protocols.
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QUESTION 4
When administering ear drops to an adult, how should the medication aide position the
ear?
A) Pull the earlobe down and back
B) Pull the pinna up and back
C) Pull the pinna down and forward
D) Do not pull the ear at all
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: For adults, pulling the pinna up and back straightens the ear
canal to allow proper instillation of ear drops.
QUESTION 5
Which abbreviation means “as needed”?
A) AC
B) PC
C) PRN
D) BID
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: PRN comes from the Latin “pro re nata” and means “as needed”
for medication administration based on resident condition.
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QUESTION 6
A medication aide is asked to give a rectal suppository. Which statement about
administration is correct?
A) Insert with the pointed end first
B) Lubrication is not necessary
C) Insert with the blunt end first
D) Remove suppository from refrigerator just before administration
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: Rectal suppositories are inserted pointed end first to facilitate
proper placement beyond the internal anal sphincter.
QUESTION 7
What is the most common side effect of opioid analgesics that must be monitored and
reported?
A) Diarrhea
B) Constipation
C) Hypertension
D) Hyperglycemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Opioids slow gastrointestinal motility, causing constipation in
most residents, which requires prevention and reporting.
Medication Aide Certification Exam (MACE)
2026/2027 | Latest Verified Questions and Detailed
Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The Medication Aide Certification Exam (MACE) assesses a candidate’s ability to safely
administer medications, observe residents, and report findings within a defined legal scope
of practice. The exam emphasizes the "Six Rights" of administration, accurate dosage
calculations, proper use of routes (oral, topical, otic, ophthalmic, rectal, sublingual, and
inhaled), and strict protocols for controlled substances and infection control. Candidates
must also master pharmacology basics—such as common side effects and drug
interactions—as well as documentation standards, ethical responsibilities, and the
appropriate steps for reporting medication errors, refusals, or adverse reactions to the
supervising nurse.
QUESTION 1
A resident refuses a scheduled dose of metoprolol. What should the medication aide do
first?
A) Crush the tablet and mix it with applesauce
B) Document the refusal and notify the nurse
C) Hide the medication in the resident’s food
D) Persuade the resident to take it later
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The medication aide must respect a resident’s right to refuse
medication and immediately document the refusal while reporting to the supervising
nurse.
,2|Page
QUESTION 2
Which of the following is part of the “Right Time” in medication administration?
A) Giving the medication within 30 minutes before or after the scheduled time
B) Taking the resident’s pulse before each dose
C) Checking the expiration date on the bottle
D) Offering water with every tablet
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: The “Right Time” means administering medication within an
acceptable window, typically 30 minutes before or after the prescribed time, to maintain
therapeutic levels.
QUESTION 3
A medication aide notices a controlled substance tablet missing during count. What is
the proper action?
A) Ignore it if the difference is small
B) Document the discrepancy and report immediately to the nurse
C) Replace it with a similar-looking vitamin
D) Wait until the end of the shift to mention it
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Any discrepancy in controlled substances must be documented
and reported to the supervising nurse immediately per legal and facility protocols.
,3|Page
QUESTION 4
When administering ear drops to an adult, how should the medication aide position the
ear?
A) Pull the earlobe down and back
B) Pull the pinna up and back
C) Pull the pinna down and forward
D) Do not pull the ear at all
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: For adults, pulling the pinna up and back straightens the ear
canal to allow proper instillation of ear drops.
QUESTION 5
Which abbreviation means “as needed”?
A) AC
B) PC
C) PRN
D) BID
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: PRN comes from the Latin “pro re nata” and means “as needed”
for medication administration based on resident condition.
, 4|Page
QUESTION 6
A medication aide is asked to give a rectal suppository. Which statement about
administration is correct?
A) Insert with the pointed end first
B) Lubrication is not necessary
C) Insert with the blunt end first
D) Remove suppository from refrigerator just before administration
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: Rectal suppositories are inserted pointed end first to facilitate
proper placement beyond the internal anal sphincter.
QUESTION 7
What is the most common side effect of opioid analgesics that must be monitored and
reported?
A) Diarrhea
B) Constipation
C) Hypertension
D) Hyperglycemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Opioids slow gastrointestinal motility, causing constipation in
most residents, which requires prevention and reporting.
