Free MACE sample questions

Correct answers: Assess the resident's skin turgor to check for dehydration.; Give an extra dose of PRN pain medication because the resident 'looks uncomfortable'.

Patient assessment, such as checking skin turgor, requires the clinical judgment of a licensed nurse and is outside the MA-C's scope of practice.

Administering medication based on an informal assessment by a family member, even a nurse, without a valid order and proper assessment by facility staff is a violation of the MA-C's role. It constitutes practicing nursing without a license and medication administration without a proper order.

Correct answer: Ensure the nurse documents the verbal order on the MAR as soon as is practical.

While facility policies on verbal orders may vary, a key legal principle is that the order must be documented and signed by the prescriber (or nurse, who then gets a prescriber signature) as soon as possible. The MA-C's responsibility is to ensure this loop is closed to maintain a legal and accurate medication record. The MA-C documents the administration, but the nurse must document the order itself.

Correct answer: Obtain an oral syringe from the medication supply to measure the exact 7.5 mL dose.

Using a medicine cup for a dose smaller than 5-10 mL, especially when the required dose falls between the markings, is inaccurate and unsafe. The standard of practice is to use a more precise measuring tool, like an oral syringe, which is designed for measuring small, exact volumes of liquid medication. This ensures the resident receives the correct dose.

Correct answer: False

A Medication Aide cannot delegate medication administration tasks. While a barrier cream may seem simple, it is still considered a medication. The authority to delegate tasks is reserved for licensed personnel like RNs or LPNs, who must follow the principles of delegation. An MA-C receives delegated tasks and cannot further delegate them.

Correct answer: Immediately report the finding to the supervising nurse before administering any more medications.

Unexplained bruising or petechiae in a resident taking an anticoagulant like warfarin can be a sign of excessive anticoagulation and risk of serious bleeding. This is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect. The MA-C's most critical responsibility is to report this significant finding to the supervising nurse immediately so that a clinical assessment can be performed and the prescriber can be notified. The next dose of warfarin may need to be held pending lab results (INR).

Correct answer: Do not administer the medication and immediately seek clarification from the supervising nurse.

Administering a medication with an unclear or ambiguous order is a major safety risk. The MA-C must never guess the dose. The proper procedure is to halt the administration process and follow the chain of command by consulting the supervising nurse. The nurse is the appropriate resource to contact the prescriber or pharmacist to clarify the order before the medication is given.

Correct answer: Administer one type of drop, wait 5 minutes, then administer the second type of drop.

When multiple types of eye drops are ordered for the same eye, it is crucial to wait between administrations. Instilling them too close together can cause the first drop to be washed out by the second, reducing its effectiveness. A waiting period of at least 5 minutes allows for proper absorption of the first medication before the second is administered.

Correct answers: The foods contain high levels of tyramine, which interacts with MAOI medication.; The interaction can trigger a life-threatening hypertensive crisis.

Aged cheeses, cured meats, and certain beers are rich in tyramine, an amino acid. When a person is taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), the enzyme that breaks down tyramine is blocked.

The buildup of tyramine from the food interaction with the MAOI can cause a massive release of norepinephrine, leading to a rapid, severe, and dangerous increase in blood pressure known as a hypertensive crisis.

Correct answer: An effect that is the opposite of the effect the medication is intended to have.

A paradoxical effect is a drug response that is contrary to its expected therapeutic outcome. A common example is when a sedative medication, intended to calm a person, causes agitation and hyperactivity, which is sometimes seen in elderly patients or children.

Correct answer: Complete a facility incident report, documenting the facts of the event objectively.

After ensuring immediate patient safety by reporting to the nurse, the next critical step is formal documentation. This is done via a facility-specific incident or variance report. The report should be a factual, objective account of what happened, without blame or personal opinion. This document is essential for legal, quality improvement, and risk management purposes.