1
QMA Final Practice Test Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified –
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Legal/Ethical Roles & Scope of Practice (Q1-Q20)
Q1: As a Qualified Medication Aide (QMA), you are asked by a family member to explain the
diagnosis of a resident. What is your best response?
A. "I can tell you everything I know since I give the medications."
B. "You will need to speak with the nurse or physician regarding the diagnosis."
C. "The resident has dementia and that is why they are acting this way."
D. "I am not allowed to speak to you without the nurse present."
B. "You will need to speak with the nurse or physician regarding the diagnosis." [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: QMAs are not authorized to provide medical diagnoses or prognoses; this is outside
their scope of practice and must be referred to licensed nursing staff.
Q2: Which of the following tasks is strictly within the scope of practice of a Licensed Nurse
(LPN/RN) and NOT the QMA?
A. Administering a unit dose of oral medication.
B. Applying a topical ointment to intact skin.
C. Administering the initial dose of a new medication.
D. Crushing a tablet that is approved to be crushed.
C. Administering the initial dose of a new medication. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: QMAs generally cannot administer the "first dose" of a new medication because the
patient must be monitored for adverse reactions by a licensed nurse.
,2
Q3: You arrive at a facility and your medication certification expired last month. Can you accept
the assignment to pass meds?
A. Yes, if you have already submitted the renewal application.
B. Yes, for up to 30 days while waiting for the new certificate.
C. No, you cannot practice without a current, valid certification.
D. No, unless a registered nurse supervises you directly.
C. No, you cannot practice without a current, valid certification. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: It is illegal and unsafe to practice as a QMA with an expired certification; you must
have a valid license in your possession before performing duties.
Q4: A nurse asks you to administer a medication via an intravenous (IV) line because she is busy
with an emergency. What should you do?
A. Administer the IV medication to help out during the emergency.
B. Politely refuse and explain that IV administration is outside the QMA scope of practice.
C. Administer the medication only if the nurse stays in the room.
D. Ask another QMA to do it.
B. Politely refuse and explain that IV administration is outside the QMA scope of practice.
[CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administration of IV medications, including piggybacks and push meds, is outside the
legal scope of practice for a QMA in all states.
Q5: When can a QMA crush a tablet to administer it to a resident?
A. Anytime the resident has difficulty swallowing.
B. Only if the medication is scored and the nurse approves.
C. Only if the order specifically states the medication may be crushed or the pharmacy indicates
it is safe to crush.
D. Never, only nurses can crush medications.
,3
C. Only if the order specifically states the medication may be crushed or the pharmacy indicates
it is safe to crush. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Crushing certain medications (like enteric-coated or sustained-release) can be
dangerous; it should only be done with a specific order or pharmacy indication that it is safe.
Q6: A resident tells you they do not want to take their medication because it makes them feel
dizzy. What is your first action?
A. Force the resident to take it because the doctor ordered it.
B. Hide the pill in their applesauce so they take it.
C. Respect the refusal, document it, and report the refusal and the complaint (dizziness) to the
nurse.
D. Tell the resident they will fall if they don't take their blood pressure pill.
C. Respect the refusal, document it, and report the refusal and the complaint (dizziness) to the
nurse. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Residents have the right to refuse medication. The QMA must document the refusal,
report it to the nurse, and report the side effect (dizziness) so the nurse can evaluate.
Q7: Delegation of medication administration tasks to a QMA is the responsibility of the:
A. Physician
B. Administrator
C. Charge Nurse or Licensed Nurse
D. Pharmacist
C. Charge Nurse or Licensed Nurse [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The licensed nurse is responsible for assessing the resident's condition and delegating
the appropriate task of medication administration within the QMA's scope.
, 4
Q8: If a QMA makes a medication error that harms a resident, who is legally responsible for the
negligence?
A. The QMA only
B. The delegating nurse only
C. Both the QMA and the delegating nurse
D. The facility administration only
C. Both the QMA and the delegating nurse [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The QMA is responsible for their own actions, and the delegating nurse is responsible
for the delegation and supervision; therefore, both can be held liable.
Q9: Which of the following statements is true regarding the storage of controlled substances
(e.g., opioids)?
A. QMAs can keep the key to the controlled substance cabinet in their pocket.
B. Controlled substances must be kept in a double-locked cabinet or secure storage area.
C. Controlled substances can be stored on the top of the medication cart for easy access.
D. There is no need to count controlled substances at the end of the shift.
B. Controlled substances must be kept in a double-locked cabinet or secure storage area.
[CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regulations require strict security for controlled substances, typically involving a
double-locked area or separate lockbox, to prevent diversion.
Q10: You witness another QMA taking a resident's prescribed hydrocodone for their own back
pain. What is your immediate action?
A. Ignore it; it is not your business.
B. Tell the QMA to stop and report them to the nurse immediately.
C. Report it to the nurse manager the next time you work.
D. Confront the QMA and ask them to replace the pill later.
QMA Final Practice Test Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified –
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Legal/Ethical Roles & Scope of Practice (Q1-Q20)
Q1: As a Qualified Medication Aide (QMA), you are asked by a family member to explain the
diagnosis of a resident. What is your best response?
A. "I can tell you everything I know since I give the medications."
B. "You will need to speak with the nurse or physician regarding the diagnosis."
C. "The resident has dementia and that is why they are acting this way."
D. "I am not allowed to speak to you without the nurse present."
B. "You will need to speak with the nurse or physician regarding the diagnosis." [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: QMAs are not authorized to provide medical diagnoses or prognoses; this is outside
their scope of practice and must be referred to licensed nursing staff.
Q2: Which of the following tasks is strictly within the scope of practice of a Licensed Nurse
(LPN/RN) and NOT the QMA?
A. Administering a unit dose of oral medication.
B. Applying a topical ointment to intact skin.
C. Administering the initial dose of a new medication.
D. Crushing a tablet that is approved to be crushed.
C. Administering the initial dose of a new medication. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: QMAs generally cannot administer the "first dose" of a new medication because the
patient must be monitored for adverse reactions by a licensed nurse.
,2
Q3: You arrive at a facility and your medication certification expired last month. Can you accept
the assignment to pass meds?
A. Yes, if you have already submitted the renewal application.
B. Yes, for up to 30 days while waiting for the new certificate.
C. No, you cannot practice without a current, valid certification.
D. No, unless a registered nurse supervises you directly.
C. No, you cannot practice without a current, valid certification. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: It is illegal and unsafe to practice as a QMA with an expired certification; you must
have a valid license in your possession before performing duties.
Q4: A nurse asks you to administer a medication via an intravenous (IV) line because she is busy
with an emergency. What should you do?
A. Administer the IV medication to help out during the emergency.
B. Politely refuse and explain that IV administration is outside the QMA scope of practice.
C. Administer the medication only if the nurse stays in the room.
D. Ask another QMA to do it.
B. Politely refuse and explain that IV administration is outside the QMA scope of practice.
[CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administration of IV medications, including piggybacks and push meds, is outside the
legal scope of practice for a QMA in all states.
Q5: When can a QMA crush a tablet to administer it to a resident?
A. Anytime the resident has difficulty swallowing.
B. Only if the medication is scored and the nurse approves.
C. Only if the order specifically states the medication may be crushed or the pharmacy indicates
it is safe to crush.
D. Never, only nurses can crush medications.
,3
C. Only if the order specifically states the medication may be crushed or the pharmacy indicates
it is safe to crush. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Crushing certain medications (like enteric-coated or sustained-release) can be
dangerous; it should only be done with a specific order or pharmacy indication that it is safe.
Q6: A resident tells you they do not want to take their medication because it makes them feel
dizzy. What is your first action?
A. Force the resident to take it because the doctor ordered it.
B. Hide the pill in their applesauce so they take it.
C. Respect the refusal, document it, and report the refusal and the complaint (dizziness) to the
nurse.
D. Tell the resident they will fall if they don't take their blood pressure pill.
C. Respect the refusal, document it, and report the refusal and the complaint (dizziness) to the
nurse. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Residents have the right to refuse medication. The QMA must document the refusal,
report it to the nurse, and report the side effect (dizziness) so the nurse can evaluate.
Q7: Delegation of medication administration tasks to a QMA is the responsibility of the:
A. Physician
B. Administrator
C. Charge Nurse or Licensed Nurse
D. Pharmacist
C. Charge Nurse or Licensed Nurse [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The licensed nurse is responsible for assessing the resident's condition and delegating
the appropriate task of medication administration within the QMA's scope.
, 4
Q8: If a QMA makes a medication error that harms a resident, who is legally responsible for the
negligence?
A. The QMA only
B. The delegating nurse only
C. Both the QMA and the delegating nurse
D. The facility administration only
C. Both the QMA and the delegating nurse [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The QMA is responsible for their own actions, and the delegating nurse is responsible
for the delegation and supervision; therefore, both can be held liable.
Q9: Which of the following statements is true regarding the storage of controlled substances
(e.g., opioids)?
A. QMAs can keep the key to the controlled substance cabinet in their pocket.
B. Controlled substances must be kept in a double-locked cabinet or secure storage area.
C. Controlled substances can be stored on the top of the medication cart for easy access.
D. There is no need to count controlled substances at the end of the shift.
B. Controlled substances must be kept in a double-locked cabinet or secure storage area.
[CORRECT]
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regulations require strict security for controlled substances, typically involving a
double-locked area or separate lockbox, to prevent diversion.
Q10: You witness another QMA taking a resident's prescribed hydrocodone for their own back
pain. What is your immediate action?
A. Ignore it; it is not your business.
B. Tell the QMA to stop and report them to the nurse immediately.
C. Report it to the nurse manager the next time you work.
D. Confront the QMA and ask them to replace the pill later.
