Certified Medication Aide (CMA) — All Questions
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The order is 500 mg. The tablets on hand are 250 mg each. How many tablets should the aide give? (tablets = ordered ÷ available)
- a.3 tablets
- b.2 tablets✓
- c.1/2 tablet
- d.1 tablet
Using tablets = ordered dose ÷ available strength = 500 mg ÷ 250 mg = 2 tablets. Always confirm the calculated amount is a reasonable, safe number of tablets.
The order is 0.5 g of a medication. The tablets available are 500 mg each. How many tablets are needed? (First convert 0.5 g to mg.)
- a.1/2 tablet
- b.1 tablet✓
- c.5 tablets
- d.2 tablets
Convert grams to milligrams: 0.5 g × 1000 = 500 mg, then tablets = 500 mg ÷ 500 mg = 1 tablet. Converting to the same unit before dividing prevents serious dosing errors.
The order is 750 mg. Tablets are 250 mg each. How many tablets should be given?
- a.4 tablets
- b.2 tablets
- c.3 tablets✓
- d.1 tablet
tablets = 750 mg ÷ 250 mg = 3 tablets. The result is a whole number of scored or unscored tablets, which the aide double-checks against the order.
A liquid medication is ordered as 250 mg. The bottle is labeled 125 mg per 5 mL. How many mL should the aide give? (mL = ordered ÷ available strength × volume)
- a.10 mL✓
- b.5 mL
- c.15 mL
- d.2.5 mL
Set up the ratio: 250 mg ÷ 125 mg = 2, then 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL. Liquid calculations use the concentration (mg per mL) provided on the label.
An order calls for 1 teaspoon of a liquid. How many mL is this equal to?
- a.1 mL
- b.5 mL✓
- c.3 mL
- d.2 mL
One teaspoon (tsp) equals 5 mL, a standard household-to-metric conversion. Using an accurate measuring device rather than a kitchen spoon ensures the correct volume.
A resident is ordered 15 mL of a liquid. How many teaspoons is that?
- a.5 teaspoons
- b.3 teaspoons✓
- c.15 teaspoons
- d.1 teaspoon
Since 1 tsp = 5 mL, then 15 mL ÷ 5 mL = 3 teaspoons (also equal to 1 tablespoon). Converting correctly avoids under- or overdosing when household measures are used.
The order is 1000 mg. How many grams is that?
- a.100 g
- b.0.1 g
- c.1 g✓
- d.10 g
Because 1 g = 1000 mg, then 1000 mg = 1 g. Moving between grams and milligrams requires multiplying or dividing by 1000.
The order is 125 mg and tablets are 250 mg (scored). How many tablets should be given?
- a.1/2 tablet✓
- b.1/4 tablet
- c.2 tablets
- d.1 tablet
tablets = 125 mg ÷ 250 mg = 0.5, or one-half tablet, which is possible only if the tablet is scored. If a tablet is not scored or should not be split, the aide checks with the nurse or pharmacy.
A medication label reads 100 mg per tablet, and the order is for 300 mg twice a day. How many tablets are given PER DOSE?
- a.6 tablets
- b.2 tablets
- c.3 tablets✓
- d.1 tablet
Per dose: 300 mg ÷ 100 mg = 3 tablets, given twice daily (6 tablets total per day). The aide calculates the amount for a single dose, not the daily total, at each administration.
Convert 2 g to milligrams.
- a.200 mg
- b.20 mg
- c.0.002 mg
- d.2000 mg✓
Multiply grams by 1000: 2 g × 1000 = 2000 mg. Keeping units consistent is critical before performing any dosage division.
The order is 20 mg of a liquid concentrated at 10 mg/mL. How many mL should the aide draw up?
- a.20 mL
- b.2 mL✓
- c.0.5 mL
- d.1 mL
Using the concentration: 20 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 2 mL. Dimensional analysis cancels the mg units and leaves the correct volume in mL.
An order reads 'give 5 mL.' Using a household conversion, this equals approximately:
- a.1 teaspoon✓
- b.1 tablespoon
- c.2 teaspoons
- d.1/2 teaspoon
5 mL equals 1 teaspoon. A calibrated oral syringe or medicine cup should be used because kitchen spoons vary in size.
The order is 0.25 mg and the tablets available are 0.125 mg each. How many tablets should be given?
- a.4 tablets
- b.1/2 tablet
- c.1 tablet
- d.2 tablets✓
tablets = 0.25 mg ÷ 0.125 mg = 2 tablets. Careful handling of decimals prevents ten-fold dosing errors, which are a common cause of harm.
A resident needs 30 mL of a liquid. How many tablespoons is this (1 tbsp = 15 mL)?
- a.1 tablespoon
- b.6 tablespoons
- c.2 tablespoons✓
- d.3 tablespoons
Since 1 tablespoon = 15 mL, then 30 mL ÷ 15 mL = 2 tablespoons. Confirming the household equivalent helps when a metric device is unavailable, though a calibrated device is preferred.
Ratio and proportion: if 250 mg is contained in 5 mL, how many mL contain 100 mg? (Set 250/5 = 100/x)
- a.4 mL
- b.5 mL
- c.2 mL✓
- d.1 mL
Cross-multiplying: 250x = 5 × 100 = 500, so x = 2 mL. Ratio and proportion is a reliable method for liquid dosage problems when units match.
An order is written for 1.5 g. The available tablets are 500 mg each. How many tablets are needed?
- a.5 tablets
- b.1 tablet
- c.2 tablets
- d.3 tablets✓
Convert 1.5 g to 1500 mg, then tablets = 1500 mg ÷ 500 mg = 3 tablets. Converting to a common unit before dividing gives the correct whole-tablet answer.
How hard is the exam?
The Certified Medication Aide (CMA) exam is state-administered — there is no single national test. The number of questions, time limit, fee and passing score vary by state, so check your state's nurse-aide or medication-aide registry. Nursing assistants (the base role) earn a median of about $39,530/year (BLS, May 2024).
- Recommended study hours
- 20-40 hours after the required state-approved medication-aide training course.
- Pass rate
- We have not verified a pass rate for this exam, so we do not state one.
- Where to focus first
- Safe medication administration — the 'rights' of medication, dosages and routes, documentation, and observing for side effects.
Fees and salaries are approximate and change over time. The pass rate above is quoted from the source linked beside it, for the period that source covers — where we have not checked a source, we say so and give no number.