ECITCARP EDIA DEM
Medication Aide Certification
CMA
State Board of Nursing · Medication Administration
S A F E M E D I C AT I O N P R A C T I C E S · Q U A L I T Y R E S I D E N T C A R E
STATE CERT.
Medication Aide Practice Tests
P H A R M A CO LO G Y · D R U G C L A SS I F I C AT I O N · S A F E A D M I N I ST R AT I O N · R E G U L ATO R Y CO M P L I A N C E
INSTITUTION State Medication Aide Certification Board COURSE CODE CMA-PRAC-2026
PROGRAM Certified Medication Aide (CMA) · Long-Term ACADEMIC YEAR
Care
EXAM TITLE Medication Aide — Comprehensive Practice TOTAL QUESTIONS 28 Questions
Examination
COURSE TITLE Medication Administration for Unlicensed FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False — Select the
Personnel Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Questions cover pharmacology basics, drug classifications, medication administration procedures, and regulatory requirements.
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on medication aide scope of practice and facility protocols.
▸ Pay careful attention to scope-of-practice limitations: what a medication aide may and may not do.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for self-assessment and exam preparation.
▸ All content reflects state medication aide certification examination standards.
SECTION I — PHARMACOLOGY, DRUG ADMINISTRATION & REGULATORY Questions 1 –
KNOWLEDGE 28
1. CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) symptoms include:
A. Pulmonary edema, hypotension, and bradycardia
B. Pulmonary edema, high blood pressure, and dyspnea
C. Peripheral edema, low blood pressure, and tachycardia
D. Hepatomegaly, hypotension, and orthopnea only
CORRECT ANSWER B. Pulmonary edema, high blood pressure, and dyspnea
RATIONALE CHF causes fluid backup into the lungs (pulmonary edema), increased blood pressure as the heart struggles to
pump effectively, and dyspnea (difficulty breathing) due to decreased oxygenation. These hallmark symptoms are
why diuretics are commonly prescribed for CHF management. Option A incorrectly lists hypotension and
bradycardia, which are not typical CHF presentations.
, 2. Drugs may have several trade names but only one:
A. Brand name
B. Chemical name
C. Generic name
D. Proprietary name
CORRECT ANSWER C. Generic name
RATIONALE Each drug has exactly one official generic name (e.g., acetaminophen) assigned by the United States Adopted
Names Council, regardless of how many brand/trade names it's marketed under (e.g., Tylenol, Panadol). The
generic name is the drug's official name and is typically used in medication administration records (MARs) and
healthcare documentation.
3. A medication aide may:
A. Change medication doses based on vital sign readings
B. Take and record vital signs prior to administration of medication which could affect or change the vital signs
C. Prescribe alternative medications when side effects occur
D. Administer PRN medications without nursing consultation
CORRECT ANSWER B. Take and record vital signs prior to administration of medication which could affect or change the vital
signs
RATIONALE Medication aides are permitted—and required—to obtain baseline vital signs before administering medications
that affect those parameters (e.g., checking blood pressure before antihypertensives, pulse before digoxin). This
falls within the CMA scope of practice. Changing doses, prescribing, and independent PRN administration exceed
the aide's legal scope and require nursing authorization.
4. A person holding a current medication aide permit:
A. May administer medications independently without supervision
B. Shall act under the authority of a person who holds a current license under state law which authorizes the individual to
administer medications
C. May supervise other unlicensed personnel in medication administration
D. Is authorized to administer intravenous medications
CORRECT ANSWER B. Shall act under the authority of a person who holds a current license under state law which authorizes
the individual to administer medications
RATIONALE Medication aides always work under the delegation and supervision of a licensed nurse. They do not practice
independently, cannot supervise other aides in medication administration, and are not authorized to administer
IV medications. The supervising licensed nurse retains ultimate responsibility for all medications administered by
the aide.
Medication Aide Certification
CMA
State Board of Nursing · Medication Administration
S A F E M E D I C AT I O N P R A C T I C E S · Q U A L I T Y R E S I D E N T C A R E
STATE CERT.
Medication Aide Practice Tests
P H A R M A CO LO G Y · D R U G C L A SS I F I C AT I O N · S A F E A D M I N I ST R AT I O N · R E G U L ATO R Y CO M P L I A N C E
INSTITUTION State Medication Aide Certification Board COURSE CODE CMA-PRAC-2026
PROGRAM Certified Medication Aide (CMA) · Long-Term ACADEMIC YEAR
Care
EXAM TITLE Medication Aide — Comprehensive Practice TOTAL QUESTIONS 28 Questions
Examination
COURSE TITLE Medication Administration for Unlicensed FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False — Select the
Personnel Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Questions cover pharmacology basics, drug classifications, medication administration procedures, and regulatory requirements.
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on medication aide scope of practice and facility protocols.
▸ Pay careful attention to scope-of-practice limitations: what a medication aide may and may not do.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for self-assessment and exam preparation.
▸ All content reflects state medication aide certification examination standards.
SECTION I — PHARMACOLOGY, DRUG ADMINISTRATION & REGULATORY Questions 1 –
KNOWLEDGE 28
1. CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) symptoms include:
A. Pulmonary edema, hypotension, and bradycardia
B. Pulmonary edema, high blood pressure, and dyspnea
C. Peripheral edema, low blood pressure, and tachycardia
D. Hepatomegaly, hypotension, and orthopnea only
CORRECT ANSWER B. Pulmonary edema, high blood pressure, and dyspnea
RATIONALE CHF causes fluid backup into the lungs (pulmonary edema), increased blood pressure as the heart struggles to
pump effectively, and dyspnea (difficulty breathing) due to decreased oxygenation. These hallmark symptoms are
why diuretics are commonly prescribed for CHF management. Option A incorrectly lists hypotension and
bradycardia, which are not typical CHF presentations.
, 2. Drugs may have several trade names but only one:
A. Brand name
B. Chemical name
C. Generic name
D. Proprietary name
CORRECT ANSWER C. Generic name
RATIONALE Each drug has exactly one official generic name (e.g., acetaminophen) assigned by the United States Adopted
Names Council, regardless of how many brand/trade names it's marketed under (e.g., Tylenol, Panadol). The
generic name is the drug's official name and is typically used in medication administration records (MARs) and
healthcare documentation.
3. A medication aide may:
A. Change medication doses based on vital sign readings
B. Take and record vital signs prior to administration of medication which could affect or change the vital signs
C. Prescribe alternative medications when side effects occur
D. Administer PRN medications without nursing consultation
CORRECT ANSWER B. Take and record vital signs prior to administration of medication which could affect or change the vital
signs
RATIONALE Medication aides are permitted—and required—to obtain baseline vital signs before administering medications
that affect those parameters (e.g., checking blood pressure before antihypertensives, pulse before digoxin). This
falls within the CMA scope of practice. Changing doses, prescribing, and independent PRN administration exceed
the aide's legal scope and require nursing authorization.
4. A person holding a current medication aide permit:
A. May administer medications independently without supervision
B. Shall act under the authority of a person who holds a current license under state law which authorizes the individual to
administer medications
C. May supervise other unlicensed personnel in medication administration
D. Is authorized to administer intravenous medications
CORRECT ANSWER B. Shall act under the authority of a person who holds a current license under state law which authorizes
the individual to administer medications
RATIONALE Medication aides always work under the delegation and supervision of a licensed nurse. They do not practice
independently, cannot supervise other aides in medication administration, and are not authorized to administer
IV medications. The supervising licensed nurse retains ultimate responsibility for all medications administered by
the aide.
