QMA INSULIN PRACTICE TEST | QMA INSULIN PRACTICE
TEST/ EXAM QUESTIONS & CERTIFIED SOLUTION. (2025)
1
As a Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) administering insulin, what is
the most critical principle to remember?
A) Insulin should always be given with a meal.
B) Insulin doses can be adjusted based on appetite.
C) Insulin is a high-alert medication that requires precise administration and
careful monitoring.
D) All insulins have the same onset of action.
E) Insulin can be stored at room temperature indefinitely.
Correct Answer: C) Insulin is a high-alert medication that requires
precise administration and careful monitoring.
Rationale: Insulin is classified as a high-alert medication due to the
significant harm that can result from errors in its administration,
making precision and monitoring paramount.
2
Which type of insulin has a rapid onset of action (typically 5-15 minutes) and
is usually given right before a meal?
A) NPH (Intermediate-acting)
B) Glargine (Long-acting)
C) Lispro (Rapid-acting)
D) Regular (Short-acting)
E) Detemir (Long-acting)
Correct Answer: C) Lispro (Rapid-acting)
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulins like Lispro (Humalog), Aspart
(Novolog), and Glulisine (Apidra) have a very quick onset, making
them ideal for covering carbohydrate intake immediately before a
meal.
3
A resident's blood glucose reading is 60 mg/dL. Which of the following is
,the priority action for the QMA to take before administering any insulin?
A) Administer the scheduled insulin dose as ordered.
B) Notify the nurse immediately and prepare to administer a fast-acting
carbohydrate.
C) Wait 30 minutes and recheck the blood glucose.
D) Give the resident a full meal.
E) Document the reading and continue with other tasks.
Correct Answer: B) Notify the nurse immediately and prepare to
administer a fast-acting carbohydrate.
Rationale: A blood glucose reading of 60 mg/dL indicates
hypoglycemia. Administering insulin would worsen this condition.
The priority is to treat the hypoglycemia and notify the nurse.
4
Which injection site is generally preferred for insulin administration due to its
consistent absorption?
A) The deltoid muscle of the arm.
B) The outer aspect of the upper arm.
C) The thigh.
D) The abdomen, away from the navel.
E) The buttocks.
Correct Answer: D) The abdomen, away from the navel.
Rationale: The abdomen, specifically areas away from the navel, is
generally preferred for insulin injections because it typically offers
the most consistent and rapid absorption of insulin.
5
When administering a subcutaneous insulin injection, what is the correct
angle of insertion for most residents using a standard needle (e.g., 5/8 inch)?
A) 15-degree angle.
B) 30-degree angle.
C) 45-degree angle.
,D) 60-degree angle.
E) 90-degree angle.
Correct Answer: C) 45-degree angle.
Rationale: For subcutaneous injections using a standard needle (e.g.,
5/8 inch or longer), a 45-degree angle is typically used. If using a
shorter needle (e.g., 4 mm/5/32 inch) or if the resident has
adequate subcutaneous tissue, a 90-degree angle may be used.
Always follow facility policy and nurse's instruction.
6
A QMA is preparing to administer insulin. After drawing up the correct dose,
what should be done with the needle before injection?
A) Recap the needle using a two-handed technique.
B) Wipe the needle with an alcohol swab.
C) Change the needle to a smaller gauge.
D) Keep the cap on and perform a one-handed scoop technique to recap if
needed (though avoiding recapping is preferred).
E) Bend the needle slightly.
Correct Answer: D) Keep the cap on and perform a one-handed scoop
technique to recap if needed (though avoiding recapping is
preferred).
Rationale: Recapping needles increases the risk of needlestick
injuries. If recapping is absolutely necessary, the one-handed scoop
method is the safest. However, ideally, a safety-engineered device
should be used, or the needle disposed of immediately after use
without recapping.
7
What is the primary reason for rotating insulin injection sites?
A) To minimize discomfort for the resident.
B) To prevent lipohypertrophy or lipoatrophy (lumps or indentations in the
skin).
, C) To increase the speed of insulin absorption.
D) To reduce the amount of insulin needed.
E) To prevent infection at a single site.
Correct Answer: B) To prevent lipohypertrophy or lipoatrophy (lumps
or indentations in the skin).
Rationale: Consistent injection into the same site can lead to fatty
tissue changes (lipohypertrophy or lipoatrophy), which can affect
insulin absorption. Rotating sites helps prevent these
complications.
8
A resident on insulin therapy appears pale, diaphoretic, and confused. What
is the QMA's immediate first action?
A) Administer the resident's regular scheduled meal.
B) Check the resident's blood glucose level.
C) Give a dose of rapid-acting insulin.
D) Elevate the resident's feet.
E) Offer a glass of water.
Correct Answer: B) Check the resident's blood glucose level.
Rationale: These are classic signs of hypoglycemia. The immediate
priority is to confirm the blood glucose level to determine
appropriate treatment.
9
According to the "Rule of 15" for treating hypoglycemia, how much fast-
acting carbohydrate should be administered to an alert resident?
A) 5 grams
B) 10 grams
C) 15 grams
D) 20 grams
E) 25 grams
Correct Answer: C) 15 grams
TEST/ EXAM QUESTIONS & CERTIFIED SOLUTION. (2025)
1
As a Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) administering insulin, what is
the most critical principle to remember?
A) Insulin should always be given with a meal.
B) Insulin doses can be adjusted based on appetite.
C) Insulin is a high-alert medication that requires precise administration and
careful monitoring.
D) All insulins have the same onset of action.
E) Insulin can be stored at room temperature indefinitely.
Correct Answer: C) Insulin is a high-alert medication that requires
precise administration and careful monitoring.
Rationale: Insulin is classified as a high-alert medication due to the
significant harm that can result from errors in its administration,
making precision and monitoring paramount.
2
Which type of insulin has a rapid onset of action (typically 5-15 minutes) and
is usually given right before a meal?
A) NPH (Intermediate-acting)
B) Glargine (Long-acting)
C) Lispro (Rapid-acting)
D) Regular (Short-acting)
E) Detemir (Long-acting)
Correct Answer: C) Lispro (Rapid-acting)
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulins like Lispro (Humalog), Aspart
(Novolog), and Glulisine (Apidra) have a very quick onset, making
them ideal for covering carbohydrate intake immediately before a
meal.
3
A resident's blood glucose reading is 60 mg/dL. Which of the following is
,the priority action for the QMA to take before administering any insulin?
A) Administer the scheduled insulin dose as ordered.
B) Notify the nurse immediately and prepare to administer a fast-acting
carbohydrate.
C) Wait 30 minutes and recheck the blood glucose.
D) Give the resident a full meal.
E) Document the reading and continue with other tasks.
Correct Answer: B) Notify the nurse immediately and prepare to
administer a fast-acting carbohydrate.
Rationale: A blood glucose reading of 60 mg/dL indicates
hypoglycemia. Administering insulin would worsen this condition.
The priority is to treat the hypoglycemia and notify the nurse.
4
Which injection site is generally preferred for insulin administration due to its
consistent absorption?
A) The deltoid muscle of the arm.
B) The outer aspect of the upper arm.
C) The thigh.
D) The abdomen, away from the navel.
E) The buttocks.
Correct Answer: D) The abdomen, away from the navel.
Rationale: The abdomen, specifically areas away from the navel, is
generally preferred for insulin injections because it typically offers
the most consistent and rapid absorption of insulin.
5
When administering a subcutaneous insulin injection, what is the correct
angle of insertion for most residents using a standard needle (e.g., 5/8 inch)?
A) 15-degree angle.
B) 30-degree angle.
C) 45-degree angle.
,D) 60-degree angle.
E) 90-degree angle.
Correct Answer: C) 45-degree angle.
Rationale: For subcutaneous injections using a standard needle (e.g.,
5/8 inch or longer), a 45-degree angle is typically used. If using a
shorter needle (e.g., 4 mm/5/32 inch) or if the resident has
adequate subcutaneous tissue, a 90-degree angle may be used.
Always follow facility policy and nurse's instruction.
6
A QMA is preparing to administer insulin. After drawing up the correct dose,
what should be done with the needle before injection?
A) Recap the needle using a two-handed technique.
B) Wipe the needle with an alcohol swab.
C) Change the needle to a smaller gauge.
D) Keep the cap on and perform a one-handed scoop technique to recap if
needed (though avoiding recapping is preferred).
E) Bend the needle slightly.
Correct Answer: D) Keep the cap on and perform a one-handed scoop
technique to recap if needed (though avoiding recapping is
preferred).
Rationale: Recapping needles increases the risk of needlestick
injuries. If recapping is absolutely necessary, the one-handed scoop
method is the safest. However, ideally, a safety-engineered device
should be used, or the needle disposed of immediately after use
without recapping.
7
What is the primary reason for rotating insulin injection sites?
A) To minimize discomfort for the resident.
B) To prevent lipohypertrophy or lipoatrophy (lumps or indentations in the
skin).
, C) To increase the speed of insulin absorption.
D) To reduce the amount of insulin needed.
E) To prevent infection at a single site.
Correct Answer: B) To prevent lipohypertrophy or lipoatrophy (lumps
or indentations in the skin).
Rationale: Consistent injection into the same site can lead to fatty
tissue changes (lipohypertrophy or lipoatrophy), which can affect
insulin absorption. Rotating sites helps prevent these
complications.
8
A resident on insulin therapy appears pale, diaphoretic, and confused. What
is the QMA's immediate first action?
A) Administer the resident's regular scheduled meal.
B) Check the resident's blood glucose level.
C) Give a dose of rapid-acting insulin.
D) Elevate the resident's feet.
E) Offer a glass of water.
Correct Answer: B) Check the resident's blood glucose level.
Rationale: These are classic signs of hypoglycemia. The immediate
priority is to confirm the blood glucose level to determine
appropriate treatment.
9
According to the "Rule of 15" for treating hypoglycemia, how much fast-
acting carbohydrate should be administered to an alert resident?
A) 5 grams
B) 10 grams
C) 15 grams
D) 20 grams
E) 25 grams
Correct Answer: C) 15 grams
