Ohio Board of Nursing
E TAT S • C - A M
OH Medication Aide Certification Program
P R O T E C T I N G T H E P U B L I C T H R O U G H R E G U L AT I O N
EST. 1915
Medication Aide — Ohio State Test
CO M P R E H E N S I V E M E D I C AT I O N A D M I N I ST R AT I O N K N O W L E D G E A SS E SS M E N T
INSTITUTION Ohio Board of Nursing EXAM CODE OH-MA-C-STATE-2026
PROGRAM Medication Aide (MA-C) Certification ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Medication Aide Ohio State Examination TOTAL QUESTIONS 75 Questions
COURSE TITLE Medication Aide Training Program FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions cover medication administration, pharmacology basics, scope of practice, drug classifications, and resident safety.
▸ Distinguish carefully between medication aide responsibilities and tasks restricted to licensed nurses.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for comprehensive review.
▸ All content is derived from the Ohio Medication Aide Certification state test curriculum.
SECTION I — MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION, PHARMACOLOGY & SCOPE Questions 1 –
OF PRACTICE 75
1. When administering Lanoxin (digoxin), what must the medication aide do before giving the medication?
A. Check the resident's temperature for 30 seconds
B. Take the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds
C. Measure the resident's blood pressure in both arms
D. Ask the resident if they feel dizzy
CORRECT ANSWER B — Take the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds
RATIONALE Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range and can cause bradycardia. The apical pulse must be taken for a full
60 seconds (1 minute) before administration. If the pulse is below 60 beats per minute, the medication should
be withheld and the nurse notified immediately.
2. Drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease work primarily by:
A. Decreasing serotonin levels in the brain
B. Increasing dopamine levels in the brain
C. Blocking acetylcholine receptors
D. Suppressing norepinephrine production
CORRECT ANSWER B — Increasing dopamine levels in the brain
RATIONALE Parkinson's disease is characterized by a deficiency of dopamine in the brain. Anti-Parkinson medications
work by increasing dopamine availability — either through dopamine precursors (levodopa), dopamine
agonists, or by inhibiting dopamine breakdown.
,3. Most ACE inhibitors can be identified by which suffix, and what should be monitored before administration?
A. They end in -olol; monitor temperature and respiratory rate
B. They end in -pril; check pulse and blood pressure as they affect both
C. They end in -sartan; monitor blood glucose levels
D. They end in -statin; monitor liver function tests
CORRECT ANSWER B — They end in -pril; check pulse and blood pressure as they affect both
RATIONALE ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril) end in "-pril." They slow the heart rate and lower blood
pressure. The medication aide must check both pulse and blood pressure before administration and report
significant changes to the nurse.
4. Anticholinergic medications are commonly given before surgery for which purpose?
A. To increase heart rate
B. To dry up secretions
C. To reduce pain
D. To induce sleep
CORRECT ANSWER B — To dry up secretions
RATIONALE Anticholinergics block acetylcholine, reducing salivary and respiratory secretions. This is important
preoperatively to decrease the risk of aspiration during anesthesia and to keep the airway clear during
surgery.
5. Insulin is produced in which organ?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Pancreas
D. Spleen
CORRECT ANSWER C — Pancreas
RATIONALE Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. It regulates blood
glucose levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells. In diabetes, insulin production is either insufficient
(Type 2) or absent (Type 1).
6. When a resident is receiving thyroid replacement medication, the medication aide should monitor for signs of
hyperthyroidism. Which of the following are signs of hyperthyroidism?
A. Lethargy, weight gain, and slow pulse
B. Jitteriness, weight loss, and rapid pulse
C. Constipation, dry skin, and cold intolerance
D. Increased appetite with no weight change
CORRECT ANSWER B — Jitteriness, weight loss, and rapid pulse
RATIONALE Hyperthyroidism results from excessive thyroid hormone, causing increased metabolism. Signs include
nervousness/jitteriness, unexplained weight loss, tachycardia (rapid pulse), heat intolerance, and tremor.
These indicate possible overmedication with thyroid replacement therapy.
, 7. Treatment for Type 1 diabetes includes which combination?
A. Diet, exercise, and oral hypoglycemic agents only
B. Diet, exercise, and insulin
C. Insulin alone without dietary changes
D. Oral hypoglycemic agents and weight loss
CORRECT ANSWER B — Diet, exercise, and insulin
RATIONALE Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, causing absolute insulin
deficiency. Treatment requires lifelong insulin therapy combined with appropriate diet and exercise. Oral
hypoglycemic agents are not effective for Type 1 diabetes.
8. Treatment for Type 2 diabetes typically includes:
A. Insulin only, regardless of disease progression
B. Exercise, oral hypoglycemic agents, and possibly insulin with the oral agent
C. Diet alone without medication
D. Surgery as the first-line treatment
CORRECT ANSWER B — Exercise, oral hypoglycemic agents, and possibly insulin with the oral agent
RATIONALE Type 2 diabetes management typically begins with lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise) plus oral
hypoglycemic agents. As the disease progresses, insulin may be added to oral medication. This stepwise
approach addresses the progressive nature of insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction.
9. Before administering digoxin, the medication aide must take the heart rate for:
A. 30 seconds and multiply by 2
B. 1 full minute
C. 15 seconds and multiply by 4
D. 45 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER B — 1 full minute
RATIONALE Due to digoxin's narrow therapeutic index and risk of bradycardia, the apical pulse must be counted for a full
60 seconds. Shortened measurement methods are not acceptable for this high-alert medication. Hold if pulse
is below 60 bpm and notify the nurse.
10. If a medication aide sees abbreviations such as OD, OS, OU, or QD on a medication order, what should they do?
A. Administer the medication as ordered since these are standard abbreviations
B. Check with the nurse before giving the medication because these are NOT approved abbreviations
C. Cross out the abbreviation and write the full word
D. Document the abbreviation in the MAR
CORRECT ANSWER B — Check with the nurse before giving the medication because these are NOT approved
abbreviations
RATIONALE The Joint Commission and ISMP have identified OD, OS, OU, and QD as error-prone abbreviations that should
not be used. Medication aides must clarify any such orders with the supervising nurse before administration
to prevent medication errors.
E TAT S • C - A M
OH Medication Aide Certification Program
P R O T E C T I N G T H E P U B L I C T H R O U G H R E G U L AT I O N
EST. 1915
Medication Aide — Ohio State Test
CO M P R E H E N S I V E M E D I C AT I O N A D M I N I ST R AT I O N K N O W L E D G E A SS E SS M E N T
INSTITUTION Ohio Board of Nursing EXAM CODE OH-MA-C-STATE-2026
PROGRAM Medication Aide (MA-C) Certification ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Medication Aide Ohio State Examination TOTAL QUESTIONS 75 Questions
COURSE TITLE Medication Aide Training Program FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions cover medication administration, pharmacology basics, scope of practice, drug classifications, and resident safety.
▸ Distinguish carefully between medication aide responsibilities and tasks restricted to licensed nurses.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for comprehensive review.
▸ All content is derived from the Ohio Medication Aide Certification state test curriculum.
SECTION I — MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION, PHARMACOLOGY & SCOPE Questions 1 –
OF PRACTICE 75
1. When administering Lanoxin (digoxin), what must the medication aide do before giving the medication?
A. Check the resident's temperature for 30 seconds
B. Take the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds
C. Measure the resident's blood pressure in both arms
D. Ask the resident if they feel dizzy
CORRECT ANSWER B — Take the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds
RATIONALE Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range and can cause bradycardia. The apical pulse must be taken for a full
60 seconds (1 minute) before administration. If the pulse is below 60 beats per minute, the medication should
be withheld and the nurse notified immediately.
2. Drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease work primarily by:
A. Decreasing serotonin levels in the brain
B. Increasing dopamine levels in the brain
C. Blocking acetylcholine receptors
D. Suppressing norepinephrine production
CORRECT ANSWER B — Increasing dopamine levels in the brain
RATIONALE Parkinson's disease is characterized by a deficiency of dopamine in the brain. Anti-Parkinson medications
work by increasing dopamine availability — either through dopamine precursors (levodopa), dopamine
agonists, or by inhibiting dopamine breakdown.
,3. Most ACE inhibitors can be identified by which suffix, and what should be monitored before administration?
A. They end in -olol; monitor temperature and respiratory rate
B. They end in -pril; check pulse and blood pressure as they affect both
C. They end in -sartan; monitor blood glucose levels
D. They end in -statin; monitor liver function tests
CORRECT ANSWER B — They end in -pril; check pulse and blood pressure as they affect both
RATIONALE ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril) end in "-pril." They slow the heart rate and lower blood
pressure. The medication aide must check both pulse and blood pressure before administration and report
significant changes to the nurse.
4. Anticholinergic medications are commonly given before surgery for which purpose?
A. To increase heart rate
B. To dry up secretions
C. To reduce pain
D. To induce sleep
CORRECT ANSWER B — To dry up secretions
RATIONALE Anticholinergics block acetylcholine, reducing salivary and respiratory secretions. This is important
preoperatively to decrease the risk of aspiration during anesthesia and to keep the airway clear during
surgery.
5. Insulin is produced in which organ?
A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Pancreas
D. Spleen
CORRECT ANSWER C — Pancreas
RATIONALE Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. It regulates blood
glucose levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells. In diabetes, insulin production is either insufficient
(Type 2) or absent (Type 1).
6. When a resident is receiving thyroid replacement medication, the medication aide should monitor for signs of
hyperthyroidism. Which of the following are signs of hyperthyroidism?
A. Lethargy, weight gain, and slow pulse
B. Jitteriness, weight loss, and rapid pulse
C. Constipation, dry skin, and cold intolerance
D. Increased appetite with no weight change
CORRECT ANSWER B — Jitteriness, weight loss, and rapid pulse
RATIONALE Hyperthyroidism results from excessive thyroid hormone, causing increased metabolism. Signs include
nervousness/jitteriness, unexplained weight loss, tachycardia (rapid pulse), heat intolerance, and tremor.
These indicate possible overmedication with thyroid replacement therapy.
, 7. Treatment for Type 1 diabetes includes which combination?
A. Diet, exercise, and oral hypoglycemic agents only
B. Diet, exercise, and insulin
C. Insulin alone without dietary changes
D. Oral hypoglycemic agents and weight loss
CORRECT ANSWER B — Diet, exercise, and insulin
RATIONALE Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, causing absolute insulin
deficiency. Treatment requires lifelong insulin therapy combined with appropriate diet and exercise. Oral
hypoglycemic agents are not effective for Type 1 diabetes.
8. Treatment for Type 2 diabetes typically includes:
A. Insulin only, regardless of disease progression
B. Exercise, oral hypoglycemic agents, and possibly insulin with the oral agent
C. Diet alone without medication
D. Surgery as the first-line treatment
CORRECT ANSWER B — Exercise, oral hypoglycemic agents, and possibly insulin with the oral agent
RATIONALE Type 2 diabetes management typically begins with lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise) plus oral
hypoglycemic agents. As the disease progresses, insulin may be added to oral medication. This stepwise
approach addresses the progressive nature of insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction.
9. Before administering digoxin, the medication aide must take the heart rate for:
A. 30 seconds and multiply by 2
B. 1 full minute
C. 15 seconds and multiply by 4
D. 45 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER B — 1 full minute
RATIONALE Due to digoxin's narrow therapeutic index and risk of bradycardia, the apical pulse must be counted for a full
60 seconds. Shortened measurement methods are not acceptable for this high-alert medication. Hold if pulse
is below 60 bpm and notify the nurse.
10. If a medication aide sees abbreviations such as OD, OS, OU, or QD on a medication order, what should they do?
A. Administer the medication as ordered since these are standard abbreviations
B. Check with the nurse before giving the medication because these are NOT approved abbreviations
C. Cross out the abbreviation and write the full word
D. Document the abbreviation in the MAR
CORRECT ANSWER B — Check with the nurse before giving the medication because these are NOT approved
abbreviations
RATIONALE The Joint Commission and ISMP have identified OD, OS, OU, and QD as error-prone abbreviations that should
not be used. Medication aides must clarify any such orders with the supervising nurse before administration
to prevent medication errors.
