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MACE: Authorized Duties of the Medication Aide

Authorized Duties is about 16% of the MACE, and it is where many candidates get caught: knowing the boundaries of the medication aide role and when to stop and hand off to the nurse. Each question includes a full rationale.

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  • 💡 Key Takeaways — the one transferable rule per question
  • 🔍 Hint highlights — the decisive cue phrases in each stem
  • 📖 Full rationales — why every option is right or wrong

Every MACE question is written to the current exam outline for quick learning and a clear pass strategy.

Written and reviewed by the LexPort exam-prep team, led by our Founder & Exam-Prep Lead. LexPort builds certification practice questions — this is exam-preparation material, not medical advice. Last reviewed August 2026.

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Test yourself: 3 MACE practice questions

Tap an answer for instant feedback and the full rationale.

Question 1

To adhere to the "Right Documentation" principle of medication administration, at which exact point must the Medication Aide (MA-C) sign the Medication Administration Record (MAR)?

▸ Why B is the answer

Documenting immediately after witnessing the resident receive the medication is correct; this ensures accurate, real-time tracking and prevents other staff from accidentally administering a duplicate dose.

Question 2

According to national scope of practice standards, under which circumstance is a Medication Aide (MA-C) permitted to accept a telephone medication order directly from a prescriber?

▸ Why C is the answer

Under no circumstances is correct; accepting verbal or telephone orders requires clinical licensure (like an RN or LPN) and is strictly prohibited for Medication Aides.

Question 3

The Medication Aide (MA-C) is preparing to give a routine oral medication to a resident with severe Alzheimer's disease who frequently wanders. The resident does not have a wristband on, and there is no photo in the Medication Administration Record (MAR). How must the MA-C verify the resident's identity?

▸ Why D is the answer

Having a familiar licensed staff member positively identify the resident is correct; when standard identifiers (photo, wristband) are missing and the resident cannot self-identify, staff verification is the safest approved method.

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Question 1

A resident is prescribed a new oral antibiotic for a urinary tract infection. The pharmacy has just delivered the medication. The delegating nurse is currently on a meal break. What is the Medication Aide's (MA-C) most appropriate action?

  • A) Wait for the delegating nurse to return to administer or authorize the first dose.✓
  • B) Administer the medication immediately to ensure the resident receives timely treatment.
  • C) Call the pharmacy to verify the dosage instructions and then administer the medication.
  • D) Ask another Medication Aide to double-check the medication label before administering it.
Show rationale

Waiting for the delegating nurse to return is correct because national standards dictate that a licensed nurse must administer or specifically assess and authorize the first dose of any new medication.

Question 2

Mr. Alvarez tells the Medication Aide (MA-C) he has a mild headache. His MAR shows an active, nurse-delegated order: 'Acetaminophen 500 mg PO every 4 hours PRN for mild pain.' His last dose was 6 hours ago, and he has no other acetaminophen orders. What should the MA-C do?

  • A) Withhold the medication until the delegating nurse comes to assess his pain.
  • B) Administer one 500 mg dose, then observe and document the result.✓
  • C) Ask Mr. Alvarez to rate his pain from 1 to 10 and decide whether it qualifies for the dose.
  • D) Check his blood pressure and temperature and give the dose only if they are normal.
Show rationale

Correct — the PRN order has clear objective parameters (mild pain, every 4 hours), the 6-hour interval is satisfied, and administering a delegated PRN within its stated parameters is in the MA-C's scope. The aide observes the resident and documents afterward.

Question 3

According to national Medication Aide (MA-C) scope of practice standards, which of the following medication routes is strictly prohibited for the MA-C to administer?

  • A) A transdermal patch applied to the upper arm.
  • B) A metered-dose inhaler for a resident with asthma.
  • C) An intramuscular injection of a routine vitamin B12 supplement.✓
  • D) A vaginal suppository for a localized infection.
Show rationale

An intramuscular injection is correct as the prohibited route; MA-Cs are strictly forbidden from administering medications via invasive routes, including IM, IV, and subcutaneous injections.

Question 4

While administering morning medications, the Medication Aide (MA-C) realizes they just gave Mr. Smith a blood pressure pill intended for Mr. Stevens. What is the MA-C's immediate priority?

  • A) Induce vomiting to prevent the medication from being absorbed into the resident's system.
  • B) Complete a facility incident report detailing the exact nature of the medication error.
  • C) Check Mr. Smith's blood pressure to determine if the medication has caused harm.
  • D) Notify the delegating nurse immediately so the resident can be clinically assessed.✓
Show rationale

Notifying the delegating nurse immediately is correct because the resident's safety is the top priority, and a licensed nurse must perform a clinical assessment to manage any potential adverse effects.

Question 5

A resident with dementia spits out their morning dose of donepezil and refuses to take it. The resident's daughter, who is visiting, suggests crushing the pill and hiding it in the resident's applesauce. How should the Medication Aide (MA-C) respond?

  • A) Document the refusal on the MAR and notify the delegating nurse of the situation.✓
  • B) Crush the pill and mix it in the applesauce, as the family member provided consent.
  • C) Re-administer a new pill immediately since the first one was spit out.
  • D) Ask the daughter to feed the resident the applesauce containing the crushed medication.
Show rationale

Documenting the refusal and notifying the nurse is correct; residents have the right to refuse medication, and the MA-C must report this change so the nurse can evaluate the situation and follow up.

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