ZQLexPort

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.

10+ yrs

exam-prep publishing

Free

on iOS & Android

Built to help you pass faster — by exam-prep publishers with 10+ years' experience

  • 💡 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.

Practice the full MACE simulator — free to start

Full question bank · timed mock exams · every answer explained — right in your browser

Try the MACE simulator free →

Test yourself: Authorized duties

Three MACE practice questions on authorized duties — tap an answer for instant feedback.

Question 1

A resident has difficulty swallowing large pills, and the delegating nurse has authorized crushing the resident's routine oral medications when appropriate. Which of the following medication types must the Medication Aide withhold and report to the nurse because it cannot be safely crushed?

▸ Why B is the answer

Sustained Release (SR), Extended Release (ER/XR), and enteric-coated medications must never be crushed. Crushing destroys the release mechanism, causing the resident to receive a potentially fatal dose all at once. Immediate Release (IR) medications are designed to be absorbed quickly and, unless otherwise specified, can generally be crushed if ordered. Uncoated, scored tablets are specifically designed to be easily divided or crushed if necessary. Chewable supplements are designed to be broken down in the mouth and can safely be crushed.

Question 2

Which of the following tasks involving medication measurement is within the authorized scope of practice for a medication aide?

▸ Why D is the answer

Pouring an exact, pre-calculated volume of liquid medication as explicitly ordered on the MAR is a standard, authorized task for a medication aide. Converting milligrams to milliliters requires mathematical calculation to determine a dose, which is strictly outside the medication aide's scope of practice. Calculating a new tablet amount because the on-hand supply differs from the order requires nursing judgment and calculation, which is prohibited for an aide. Adjusting a medication dose based on a resident's symptoms requires clinical assessment and judgment, which must be performed by a licensed nurse.

Question 3

Under national scope and standards, which of the following medication routes is strictly outside the authorized duties of a Medication Aide?

▸ Why C is the answer

Subcutaneous injections are correct because Medication Aides are strictly prohibited from administering medications via invasive routes, including all injections and IVs. Transdermal patches are incorrect because applying topical and transdermal medications is within the standard scope of a Medication Aide. Vaginal suppositories are incorrect because administering medications via the vaginal route is generally permitted for Medication Aides. Inhaled bronchodilators are incorrect because administering inhaled medications is a permitted, non-invasive route.

Unlock the full MACE question bank

Timed, scored, with progress tracking and every answer explained. Free to start.

Try the MACE simulator free →

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.

Authoritative sources