Certified Medication Aide (CMA)
Actual Exam Practice Test Bank 150
Questions with Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION ROUTES (Questions 1–20)
Question 1 of 150
A medication aide is preparing to administer an oral medication to a resident. The
resident has difficulty swallowing pills. Which of the following actions should the
medication aide take?
• A. Crush the medication without checking with the nurse
• B. Check with the nurse to see if the medication is available in liquid form
or can be crushed
• C. Skip the medication
• D. Hide the medication in the resident's food
Correct Answer: B – Check with the nurse to see if the medication is
available in liquid form or can be crushed
Rationale: Some medications cannot be crushed (extended-release, enteric-
coated). The medication aide should always check with the nurse or pharmacist
before altering the form of a medication.
Question 2 of 150
When administering a sublingual medication, the medication aide should place
the medication:
• A. Under the tongue
, • B. Between the cheek and gum
• C. In the upper arm
• D. In the eye
Correct Answer: A – Under the tongue
Rationale: Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue for rapid
absorption through the mucous membranes. Buccal medications are placed
between the cheek and gum.
Question 3 of 150
When administering an otic (ear) medication to an adult, the medication aide
should pull the pinna:
• A. Up and back
• B. Down and back
• C. Up and forward
• D. Down and forward
Correct Answer: A – Up and back
Rationale: For adults, the pinna is pulled up and back to straighten the ear canal.
For children under 3 years, the pinna is pulled down and back.
Question 4 of 150
When administering ophthalmic (eye) drops, the medication aide should place the
drops:
• A. Directly on the cornea
• B. In the lower conjunctival sac
• C. In the upper eyelid
• D. In the inner canthus
,Correct Answer: B – In the lower conjunctival sac
Rationale: Eye drops should be placed in the lower conjunctival sac (pocket) to
avoid corneal irritation and promote distribution.
Question 5 of 150
A medication aide is administering a transdermal patch. Which of the following is
correct?
• A. Apply the patch to a hairy area for better adhesion
• B. Apply the patch to a clean, dry, hairless area
• C. Apply the patch to an area with an existing rash
• D. Apply the patch over a bony prominence
Correct Answer: B – Apply the patch to a clean, dry, hairless area
Rationale: Transdermal patches should be applied to clean, dry, hairless, non-
irritated skin to ensure proper absorption and adhesion.
Question 6 of 150
When administering a nebulizer treatment, the medication aide should instruct
the resident to:
• A. Hold their breath for 1 second
• B. Breathe rapidly
• C. Take slow, deep breaths
• D. Breathe through the nose only
Correct Answer: C – Take slow, deep breaths
Rationale: Slow, deep breaths allow the medication to reach the lower airways for
maximum effectiveness.
Question 7 of 150
, A medication aide is administering a rectal suppository. The resident should be
placed in which position?
• A. Supine
• B. Prone
• C. Left lateral (Sims' position)
• D. High Fowler's
Correct Answer: C – Left lateral (Sims' position)
Rationale: The left lateral position (Sims' position) facilitates insertion of a rectal
suppository and promotes retention.
Question 8 of 150
When administering a vaginal suppository, the medication aide should:
• A. Insert the suppository with the resident lying flat on the abdomen
• B. Insert the suppository with the resident in dorsal recumbent position
• C. Insert the suppository with the resident standing
• D. Insert the suppository with the resident in high Fowler's position
Correct Answer: B – Insert the suppository with the resident in dorsal
recumbent position
Rationale: The dorsal recumbent position (lying on back with knees bent) is the
preferred position for vaginal medication administration.
Question 9 of 150
A medication aide is administering an intradermal injection. At what angle should
the needle be inserted?
• A. 5-15 degrees
• B. 45 degrees
Actual Exam Practice Test Bank 150
Questions with Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION ROUTES (Questions 1–20)
Question 1 of 150
A medication aide is preparing to administer an oral medication to a resident. The
resident has difficulty swallowing pills. Which of the following actions should the
medication aide take?
• A. Crush the medication without checking with the nurse
• B. Check with the nurse to see if the medication is available in liquid form
or can be crushed
• C. Skip the medication
• D. Hide the medication in the resident's food
Correct Answer: B – Check with the nurse to see if the medication is
available in liquid form or can be crushed
Rationale: Some medications cannot be crushed (extended-release, enteric-
coated). The medication aide should always check with the nurse or pharmacist
before altering the form of a medication.
Question 2 of 150
When administering a sublingual medication, the medication aide should place
the medication:
• A. Under the tongue
, • B. Between the cheek and gum
• C. In the upper arm
• D. In the eye
Correct Answer: A – Under the tongue
Rationale: Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue for rapid
absorption through the mucous membranes. Buccal medications are placed
between the cheek and gum.
Question 3 of 150
When administering an otic (ear) medication to an adult, the medication aide
should pull the pinna:
• A. Up and back
• B. Down and back
• C. Up and forward
• D. Down and forward
Correct Answer: A – Up and back
Rationale: For adults, the pinna is pulled up and back to straighten the ear canal.
For children under 3 years, the pinna is pulled down and back.
Question 4 of 150
When administering ophthalmic (eye) drops, the medication aide should place the
drops:
• A. Directly on the cornea
• B. In the lower conjunctival sac
• C. In the upper eyelid
• D. In the inner canthus
,Correct Answer: B – In the lower conjunctival sac
Rationale: Eye drops should be placed in the lower conjunctival sac (pocket) to
avoid corneal irritation and promote distribution.
Question 5 of 150
A medication aide is administering a transdermal patch. Which of the following is
correct?
• A. Apply the patch to a hairy area for better adhesion
• B. Apply the patch to a clean, dry, hairless area
• C. Apply the patch to an area with an existing rash
• D. Apply the patch over a bony prominence
Correct Answer: B – Apply the patch to a clean, dry, hairless area
Rationale: Transdermal patches should be applied to clean, dry, hairless, non-
irritated skin to ensure proper absorption and adhesion.
Question 6 of 150
When administering a nebulizer treatment, the medication aide should instruct
the resident to:
• A. Hold their breath for 1 second
• B. Breathe rapidly
• C. Take slow, deep breaths
• D. Breathe through the nose only
Correct Answer: C – Take slow, deep breaths
Rationale: Slow, deep breaths allow the medication to reach the lower airways for
maximum effectiveness.
Question 7 of 150
, A medication aide is administering a rectal suppository. The resident should be
placed in which position?
• A. Supine
• B. Prone
• C. Left lateral (Sims' position)
• D. High Fowler's
Correct Answer: C – Left lateral (Sims' position)
Rationale: The left lateral position (Sims' position) facilitates insertion of a rectal
suppository and promotes retention.
Question 8 of 150
When administering a vaginal suppository, the medication aide should:
• A. Insert the suppository with the resident lying flat on the abdomen
• B. Insert the suppository with the resident in dorsal recumbent position
• C. Insert the suppository with the resident standing
• D. Insert the suppository with the resident in high Fowler's position
Correct Answer: B – Insert the suppository with the resident in dorsal
recumbent position
Rationale: The dorsal recumbent position (lying on back with knees bent) is the
preferred position for vaginal medication administration.
Question 9 of 150
A medication aide is administering an intradermal injection. At what angle should
the needle be inserted?
• A. 5-15 degrees
• B. 45 degrees
