Certified Medication Aide (CMA) — All Questions

Furosemide is classified as a diuretic. What is its main therapeutic effect?

• a.Increasing urine output to remove excess fluid✓
• b.Slowing the heart rate directly
• c.Thickening the blood
• d.Raising blood sugar

Diuretics such as furosemide increase urine production to reduce fluid overload, helping conditions like heart failure and edema. Because they cause fluid and potassium loss, aides watch for dehydration and low potassium symptoms.

Metformin is most commonly prescribed to treat which condition?

• a.Type 2 diabetes✓
• b.High cholesterol
• c.Depression
• d.Bacterial infection

Metformin is an oral antidiabetic that lowers blood glucose, mainly by reducing glucose production in the liver. It treats type 2 diabetes and is not an antibiotic, antidepressant, or cholesterol drug.

A resident takes lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor. Its primary purpose is to:

• a.Relieve constipation
• b.Lower blood pressure✓
• c.Fight fungal infections
• d.Reduce stomach acid

ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril relax blood vessels to lower blood pressure and protect the heart and kidneys. A common side effect is a dry cough, and the aide should monitor blood pressure per orders.

Which class of drugs does the medication 'atorvastatin' belong to, and what does it treat?

• a.Antacid; reduces heartburn
• b.Anticoagulant; thins the blood
• c.Statin; lowers cholesterol✓
• d.Antibiotic; treats infection

Atorvastatin is a statin used to lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk. Muscle aches are a possible side effect that should be reported to the nurse.

Therapeutic effect versus side effect: for a resident taking an antihistamine for allergies, drowsiness is BEST described as:

• a.An allergic reaction to stop the drug
• b.A sign the drug is not working
• c.A common side effect to monitor for safety✓
• d.The intended therapeutic effect

The therapeutic effect of an antihistamine is relief of allergy symptoms, while drowsiness is a common side effect. Side effects are expected but should be monitored, especially for fall risk in older adults.

Warfarin is an anticoagulant. Residents taking it should be monitored for:

• a.Faster wound healing
• b.Signs of unusual bleeding or bruising✓
• c.Improved eyesight
• d.Increased appetite

Anticoagulants like warfarin reduce clot formation, so the main risk is bleeding, seen as bruising, bloody urine or stool, or prolonged bleeding. The aide reports any bleeding signs and follows dietary and monitoring orders.

Which of the following is a controlled substance requiring special counting and documentation?

• a.Calcium supplement
• b.Multivitamin
• c.Oxycodone✓
• d.Acetaminophen (plain)

Opioids such as oxycodone are controlled substances under federal law and require secure storage plus a witnessed count and precise documentation. Ordinary over-the-counter items like vitamins are not controlled.Controlled Substances Act

A resident takes levothyroxine. This medication is used to treat:

• a.High blood pressure
• b.Insomnia
• c.An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)✓
• d.Seizures

Levothyroxine replaces thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism and is usually taken in the morning on an empty stomach for best absorption. Consistent timing is important for a steady hormone level.

Which drug form dissolves in the mouth and is intended NOT to be swallowed whole?

• a.Suppository
• b.Enteric-coated tablet
• c.Sublingual tablet✓
• d.Extended-release capsule

A sublingual tablet dissolves under the tongue and is absorbed directly, so it should not be chewed or swallowed. Enteric-coated and extended-release forms are meant to be swallowed whole.

Drug interaction: a resident on warfarin is also given a new medication. The aide should be especially alert because interactions may:

• a.Only matter for injectable drugs
• b.Increase or decrease warfarin's blood-thinning effect✓
• c.Change the resident's eye color
• d.Have no possible effect

Many drugs and even foods high in vitamin K interact with warfarin, either raising bleeding risk or reducing effectiveness. New medications should prompt the aide to watch closely and ensure the nurse is aware of the full drug list.

Acetaminophen is commonly used as an analgesic and antipyretic, meaning it:

• a.Relieves pain and reduces fever✓
• b.Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
• c.Increases urine and blood sugar
• d.Prevents blood clots and infection

Analgesic means pain-relieving and antipyretic means fever-reducing, which describes acetaminophen. Because high doses can damage the liver, total daily intake from all sources must be tracked.

A beta blocker such as metoprolol primarily works to:

• a.Slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure✓
• b.Raise the heart rate and blood pressure
• c.Increase stomach acid
• d.Thin nasal secretions

Beta blockers reduce heart rate and blood pressure and the heart's workload, which is why a pulse is often checked before administration. The aide holds the dose and notifies the nurse if the pulse is below the ordered parameter.

Which medication class treats bacterial infections and should be given at evenly spaced times to keep blood levels steady?

• a.Antibiotics✓
• b.Antacids
• c.Laxatives
• d.Diuretics

Antibiotics fight bacterial infections and work best at consistent intervals to maintain effective blood levels. The full course should be completed even if the resident feels better, to prevent resistance.

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Its therapeutic purpose is to:

• a.Treat depression
• b.Reduce stomach acid production✓
• c.Increase blood clotting
• d.Lower blood glucose

PPIs like omeprazole decrease stomach acid to treat reflux and ulcers and are often given before the first meal of the day. They are not antidiabetic, anticoagulant, or antidepressant drugs.

A contraindication for a medication means:

• a.A minor and ignorable warning
• b.A condition or factor that makes giving the drug unsafe✓
• c.The best reason to give it
• d.A recommended higher dose

A contraindication is a specific situation in which a medication should not be used because harm could result, such as giving a drug to a resident allergic to it. The aide checks allergies and orders and reports any contraindication to the nurse.

Digoxin is used in some heart conditions. Before giving it, the aide typically must:

• a.Give it faster if the resident feels dizzy
• b.Check the resident's weight only
• c.Check the blood glucose
• d.Check the apical pulse and hold if below the ordered rate (commonly 60)✓

Digoxin slows and strengthens the heartbeat, so an apical pulse is counted for a full minute and the dose is held (per order, often if under 60) with nurse notification. Nausea, visual changes, and a slow pulse can signal digoxin toxicity.

A resident takes an antidepressant in the SSRI class. These medications:

• a.Work instantly within minutes
• b.Are controlled narcotics
• c.Should be stopped suddenly when the resident feels better
• d.May take several weeks to reach full effect✓

SSRIs treat depression and typically require two to several weeks for full benefit, so consistent daily dosing matters. They should not be stopped abruptly, and the aide reports mood changes to the nurse.

Which is an example of a drug's 'side effect' rather than its therapeutic effect?

• a.Reduced fever from acetaminophen
• b.Constipation from an opioid pain medication✓
• c.Lower blood pressure from an antihypertensive
• d.Pain relief from an opioid pain medication

The therapeutic effect is the intended benefit (pain relief), while constipation is a common unintended side effect of opioids. Recognizing side effects helps the aide monitor residents and report problems.

Insulin is classified as a hormone and is used to:

• a.Lower blood glucose in diabetes✓
• b.Relieve pain
• c.Raise blood glucose
• d.Treat high blood pressure

Insulin lowers blood glucose by moving sugar into cells and is essential in type 1 and some type 2 diabetes. Too much insulin or a missed meal can cause dangerous hypoglycemia, which the aide must recognize.

A bronchodilator such as albuterol is used to:

• a.Open the airways to ease breathing✓
• b.Slow the heart
• c.Prevent blood clots
• d.Reduce stomach acid

Bronchodilators relax and widen the airways to relieve wheezing and shortness of breath in conditions like asthma and COPD. Rapid heartbeat and tremor can occur as side effects.

Which statement about controlled substances is correct?

• a.They must be securely locked and counted with documentation at shift change✓
• b.They may be stored loosely in an open drawer
• c.They never need to be counted
• d.Any staff member can take them home for residents

Controlled substances have abuse potential and are regulated, requiring double-locked storage, an accurate count, and careful documentation, often witnessed at shift change. Discrepancies must be reported immediately.Controlled Substances Act

A resident on a potassium-sparing consideration is taking a loop diuretic and shows muscle weakness and irregular pulse. This may indicate:

• a.A need to give a double dose
• b.That the diuretic is working perfectly
• c.A normal expected response requiring no action
• d.A potassium imbalance that should be reported to the nurse✓

Loop diuretics can lower potassium, and symptoms like muscle weakness, cramps, and irregular heartbeat can signal an electrolyte imbalance. The aide reports these findings promptly so the nurse can evaluate.

Which drug form is designed to be inserted and melt at body temperature?

• a.Sublingual tablet
• b.Capsule
• c.Transdermal patch
• d.Suppository✓

A suppository is a solid form inserted rectally or vaginally that melts at body temperature to release medication. It is stored cool and inserted per proper technique.

A resident is allergic to penicillin. If a penicillin-class antibiotic appears on the MAR, the aide should:

• a.Give it because the order is written
• b.Hold the dose and notify the nurse immediately about the allergy✓
• c.Give it with extra water
• d.Give half the dose to test tolerance

A documented allergy is a contraindication, so the aide must not administer a drug the resident is allergic to and should alert the nurse right away. Allergic reactions can be life threatening, so this safety check is essential.

Nitroglycerin given sublingually for chest pain works by:

• a.Relaxing and widening blood vessels to improve blood flow to the heart✓
• b.Raising blood pressure quickly
• c.Thickening the blood
• d.Increasing the heart rate to dangerous levels

Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels, improving oxygen supply to the heart and relieving angina. It can lower blood pressure and cause headache, so the resident should be seated and monitored.

A stool softener such as docusate is classified as a laxative. Its therapeutic purpose is to:

• a.Relieve chest pain
• b.Lower blood sugar
• c.Soften stool and ease bowel movements to relieve or prevent constipation✓
• d.Reduce blood pressure

Laxatives and stool softeners promote bowel elimination, which is common in older adults and those on opioids that cause constipation. The aide monitors bowel patterns and reports problems to the nurse.