CERTIFIED MEDICATION AIDE (CMA) PRACTICE
EXAM
Based on MACE Test Plan | 100 Original Questions
with Rationales
Exam Format: Multiple choice
Time per question: Approximately 1 minute
Passing score: Varies by state (typically 70-75%)
DOMAIN 1: ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Questions 1-20)
Q1. A medication aide is asked by a nurse to administer a medication that is outside the legal scope of
practice for a CMA. What is the appropriate response?
A) Administer the medication as requested because the nurse is in charge
B) Refuse to administer the medication and explain why it is outside the legal scope
C) Administer the medication but document that the nurse requested it
D) Report the nurse to the state board of nursing immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Medication aides must work within their legal scope of practice. If asked to perform a task
outside that scope, the CMA should refuse and explain why .
Q2. A medication aide may only give a PRN (as needed) medication under which condition?
A) When the patient requests it
B) When the CMA observes symptoms that indicate need
C) When the nurse has specifically delegated the task for that specific resident and drug
D) When the family authorizes it
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CMAs cannot independently assess the need for a PRN medication. This assessment must be
performed by a licensed nurse who then delegates the administration to the CMA .
Q3. Which of the following tasks is outside the legal scope of practice for a medication aide?
A) Administering routine oral medications
B) Administering the first dose of a newly prescribed medication
C) Applying topical medications as ordered
D) Documenting medication administration in the MAR
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: First doses of new medications must be given by a licensed nurse to monitor for adverse
reactions. CMAs typically cannot administer first doses .
Q4. A nurse delegates a task that is within the CMA's job description, but the CMA has not been trained
on this specific skill. What should the CMA do?
A) Perform the task to the best of ability
B) Refuse and state lack of training
C) Ask another CMA to demonstrate the skill
D) Ignore the delegation and continue with other duties
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CMAs should only perform tasks for which they have been properly trained. Refusing due to
lack of training is appropriate and protects patient safety .
Q5. A nurse asks a medication aide to assess a patient's pain level before giving a PRN pain medication.
The CMA should:
A) Refuse because assessment is outside the CMA scope
B) Perform the pain assessment and administer the medication
C) Ask the patient's family to rate the pain
D) Give the medication as requested without assessment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessment requires nursing judgment and is outside the CMA scope of practice. The nurse
must perform the assessment before delegating PRN medication administration .
Q6. Which of the following is an example of a boundary violation by a medication aide?
A) Explaining medication side effects to a patient
B) Discussing personal problems with a patient
C) Reporting a change in condition to the nurse
D) Documenting a refused medication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sharing personal problems with patients crosses professional boundaries and is
inappropriate. The therapeutic relationship should focus on the patient's needs .
Q7. A medication aide suspects that a patient is being abused. What is the correct action?
A) Confront the suspected abuser directly
B) Ignore it unless there is physical evidence
C) Share concerns with the supervisor immediately
D) Ask the patient if the suspicion is correct
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Suspected abuse must be reported to the supervisor immediately. CMAs are mandated
reporters in most states .
, Q8. What is the best action when a CMA is unsure whether to give a certain medication?
A) Administer it and monitor closely
B) Skip the dose until clarification is received
C) Ask the supervising nurse
D) Check a drug reference book online
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When uncertain about medication administration, the CMA should always consult the
supervising nurse for clarification .
Q9. A medication aide touches a patient's body without obtaining consent. This could legally be
considered:
A) Negligence
B) Battery
C) Malpractice
D) Slander
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Touching a person's body without consent constitutes battery, which is an intentional tort .
Q10. Which statement best describes the difference between a CMA and a licensed nurse?
A) CMAs can give medications but cannot assess patients
B) CMAs work independently without nurse supervision
C) CMAs can administer IV medications
D) There is no difference in scope of practice
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The key distinction is that CMAs administer medications but nursing assessment remains the
responsibility of licensed nurses .
Q11. When documenting medication administration, the CMA should record the dose:
A) Before giving the medication
B) Immediately after giving the medication
C) At the end of the shift
D) Only if the patient requests it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation should occur immediately after administration to prevent errors such as
double-dosing .
Q12. A medication aide is asked to perform a task that is in the job description but has never done it
before. The CMA should:
A) Attempt the task and learn by doing
B) Refuse and state lack of training or supervision
EXAM
Based on MACE Test Plan | 100 Original Questions
with Rationales
Exam Format: Multiple choice
Time per question: Approximately 1 minute
Passing score: Varies by state (typically 70-75%)
DOMAIN 1: ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Questions 1-20)
Q1. A medication aide is asked by a nurse to administer a medication that is outside the legal scope of
practice for a CMA. What is the appropriate response?
A) Administer the medication as requested because the nurse is in charge
B) Refuse to administer the medication and explain why it is outside the legal scope
C) Administer the medication but document that the nurse requested it
D) Report the nurse to the state board of nursing immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Medication aides must work within their legal scope of practice. If asked to perform a task
outside that scope, the CMA should refuse and explain why .
Q2. A medication aide may only give a PRN (as needed) medication under which condition?
A) When the patient requests it
B) When the CMA observes symptoms that indicate need
C) When the nurse has specifically delegated the task for that specific resident and drug
D) When the family authorizes it
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CMAs cannot independently assess the need for a PRN medication. This assessment must be
performed by a licensed nurse who then delegates the administration to the CMA .
Q3. Which of the following tasks is outside the legal scope of practice for a medication aide?
A) Administering routine oral medications
B) Administering the first dose of a newly prescribed medication
C) Applying topical medications as ordered
D) Documenting medication administration in the MAR
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: First doses of new medications must be given by a licensed nurse to monitor for adverse
reactions. CMAs typically cannot administer first doses .
Q4. A nurse delegates a task that is within the CMA's job description, but the CMA has not been trained
on this specific skill. What should the CMA do?
A) Perform the task to the best of ability
B) Refuse and state lack of training
C) Ask another CMA to demonstrate the skill
D) Ignore the delegation and continue with other duties
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CMAs should only perform tasks for which they have been properly trained. Refusing due to
lack of training is appropriate and protects patient safety .
Q5. A nurse asks a medication aide to assess a patient's pain level before giving a PRN pain medication.
The CMA should:
A) Refuse because assessment is outside the CMA scope
B) Perform the pain assessment and administer the medication
C) Ask the patient's family to rate the pain
D) Give the medication as requested without assessment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessment requires nursing judgment and is outside the CMA scope of practice. The nurse
must perform the assessment before delegating PRN medication administration .
Q6. Which of the following is an example of a boundary violation by a medication aide?
A) Explaining medication side effects to a patient
B) Discussing personal problems with a patient
C) Reporting a change in condition to the nurse
D) Documenting a refused medication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sharing personal problems with patients crosses professional boundaries and is
inappropriate. The therapeutic relationship should focus on the patient's needs .
Q7. A medication aide suspects that a patient is being abused. What is the correct action?
A) Confront the suspected abuser directly
B) Ignore it unless there is physical evidence
C) Share concerns with the supervisor immediately
D) Ask the patient if the suspicion is correct
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Suspected abuse must be reported to the supervisor immediately. CMAs are mandated
reporters in most states .
, Q8. What is the best action when a CMA is unsure whether to give a certain medication?
A) Administer it and monitor closely
B) Skip the dose until clarification is received
C) Ask the supervising nurse
D) Check a drug reference book online
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When uncertain about medication administration, the CMA should always consult the
supervising nurse for clarification .
Q9. A medication aide touches a patient's body without obtaining consent. This could legally be
considered:
A) Negligence
B) Battery
C) Malpractice
D) Slander
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Touching a person's body without consent constitutes battery, which is an intentional tort .
Q10. Which statement best describes the difference between a CMA and a licensed nurse?
A) CMAs can give medications but cannot assess patients
B) CMAs work independently without nurse supervision
C) CMAs can administer IV medications
D) There is no difference in scope of practice
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The key distinction is that CMAs administer medications but nursing assessment remains the
responsibility of licensed nurses .
Q11. When documenting medication administration, the CMA should record the dose:
A) Before giving the medication
B) Immediately after giving the medication
C) At the end of the shift
D) Only if the patient requests it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation should occur immediately after administration to prevent errors such as
double-dosing .
Q12. A medication aide is asked to perform a task that is in the job description but has never done it
before. The CMA should:
A) Attempt the task and learn by doing
B) Refuse and state lack of training or supervision
