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MACE Simulator

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Practice the Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE) with 1,020 questions and a rationale for all four options on every one. Take a full 60-question, 120-minute mock exam, or try 15 questions free — no signup.

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No signup. Answer below and you'll see why the right choice wins — and why each of the other three loses.

Question 1

A resident is prescribed a topical corticosteroid ointment for a rash on their arm. When applying the medication, which action should the Medication Aide take?

▸Show the answer — and why each of the other three is wrong

A — incorrect: Incorrect. Applying a thick layer can cause unintended systemic absorption and adverse effects; medications should be applied in a thin layer unless ordered otherwise.
B — incorrect: Incorrect. Vigorously rubbing an ointment can cause skin irritation or unintended rapid absorption; it should be applied gently.
C — correct: Correct. The Medication Aide should wear gloves to protect themselves from absorbing the medication and apply a thin, even layer as directed, which is the standard technique for topical ointments.
D — incorrect: Incorrect. Covering the area with a dressing (occlusion) increases absorption and should only be done if specifically ordered by the prescriber.

Question 2

The Medication Aide pops a routine, non-controlled docusate sodium capsule into a medication cup. The resident refuses the dose, stating they have had loose stools. After notifying the nurse and documenting the refusal, how should the aide handle the refused capsule?

▸Show the answer — and why each of the other three is wrong

A — incorrect: Returning the capsule to the bingo card is tempting to save medication and reduce waste, but once a pill is removed from its blister, it is considered contaminated and cannot be restocked.
B — incorrect: Flushing the capsule is tempting because it permanently destroys the drug, but flushing is prohibited by environmental regulations unless specifically directed by the FDA for certain high-risk drugs.
C — incorrect: Placing the capsule in the biohazard container is tempting because it is medical waste, but biohazard sharps containers are strictly for items that can puncture the skin or are saturated with blood, not pills.
D — correct: Popped, non-controlled medications that are refused must be destroyed and discarded according to facility policy (often using a designated pharmaceutical waste container or a drug-deactivating pouch).

Question 3

A Medication Aide realizes they just administered Mr. Smith's morning blood pressure medication to Mr. Jones. What is the aide's immediate priority?

▸Show the answer — and why each of the other three is wrong

A — incorrect: Completing an incident report is tempting and necessary, but it is a secondary administrative task; the resident's immediate physiological safety and nurse notification must come first.
B — correct: Notifying the delegating nurse immediately is correct because the nurse must promptly assess the resident for potential harm and determine the next clinical steps following any medication error.
C — incorrect: Checking vital signs and monitoring for adverse reactions is wrong because assessing a resident's clinical status is strictly outside the Medication Aide's scope of practice.
D — incorrect: Calling poison control or the pharmacist is wrong because the delegating nurse must be the one to determine the medical response and contact appropriate providers.

Question 4

When administering a medication via the buccal route, where should the Medication Aide place the medication?

▸Show the answer — and why each of the other three is wrong

A — incorrect: Incorrect. Placing a medication under the tongue is the sublingual route, not the buccal route.
B — incorrect: Incorrect. Buccal medications should not be swallowed whole, as they will be destroyed by stomach acid or will not absorb as intended.
C — incorrect: Incorrect. Placing medication inside the lower eyelid pocket is the technique for ophthalmic (eye) administration.
D — correct: Correct. Buccal medications are designed to dissolve and be absorbed through the mucous membranes lining the cheek, so they must be placed between the cheek and the gum.

Question 5

A Medication Aide is preparing to administer a newly prescribed oral medication. The aide is unfamiliar with the drug's common side effects and wants to know what to observe the resident for after administration. What is the most appropriate resource for the aide to consult first?

▸Show the answer — and why each of the other three is wrong

A — correct: A drug guide or package insert provides reliable, standardized pharmacological information, including common side effects, nursing considerations, and administration guidelines.
B — incorrect: The resident's medical diagnosis list is tempting because it explains why the drug was ordered, but it does not list the drug's adverse effects.
C — incorrect: The facility's policy and procedure manual is tempting because it guides MA-C actions, but it contains administrative rules and general protocols, not specific drug monographs.
D — incorrect: The resident's family member is tempting if they have prior experience with the drug, but they are not a reliable or approved clinical reference for medication administration.

That's 5 of 1,020 MACE questions — every one explained like this.

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What’s inside these MACE practice questions

✓Every question explains all four options — you learn why, not just the answer key
✓All 1,020 questions across the three MACE domains (Duties · Administration · Concepts)
✓17 full-length 60-question mock exams, timed to the real 120-minute MACE
✓A readiness score + per-domain weak-spot tracking, so you always know what to study next
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The MACE domains

MACE scored domains and weights
Scored domain	Weight
Authorized Duties	16%
Medication Administration, Observation & Reporting	60%
Medication Concepts & Measurements	24%

MACE practice — frequently asked questions

What is the MACE exam?: The Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE), administered by Credentia for NCSBN, certifies medication aides. It tests authorized duties, safe medication administration and reporting, and medication concepts and measurements.
How many questions are on the MACE?: Sixty multiple-choice questions: 50 are scored and 10 are unscored pretest items. You cannot tell which is which, so treat every question as if it counts.
How long is the MACE?: You have 120 minutes for the 60 questions. Confirm current details on the Credentia candidate handbook, as testing specifics are updated periodically.
What does the MACE cover?: Three domains: Authorized Duties (16%), Medication Administration, Observation and Reporting (60%), and Medication Concepts and Measurements (24%). The bulk of the exam is safe administration and reporting.
How should I practice for the MACE?: Take full 60-question timed practice tests to build stamina and accuracy, and read the rationale for every option — the wrong answers teach the discriminating detail. Weight your practice toward Medication Administration, the largest domain.

Authoritative sources

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