MACE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MACE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A resident taking a sleep aid is difficult to arouse in the morning and has slow, shallow breathing. The medication aide should: → Notify the nurse immediately of the change in condition
2. A suspension is labeled 200 mg/5 mL. The order is for 100 mg. How many mL should be given? → 2.5 mL
3. A medication aide administering a bronchodilator knows it is used to treat which condition? → Asthma or COPD
4. A resident who is usually alert appears unusually drowsy before medication administration. The aide should: → Hold the medications and report the change in condition to the nurse
5. What is a common side effect of antihypertensive drugs? → Dizziness or lightheadedness
6. A medication aide notes that a resident's new prescription is for the same drug class as a current medication. The BEST action is to: → Report the potential duplication to the supervising nurse before administration
7. When is it acceptable for a medication aide to borrow medications from one resident's supply to give to another resident? → Never — this is never acceptable
8. When observing a resident for the effects of their medications, which of the following is an example of an objective observation? → The resident's respiratory rate is 14 breaths per minute.
9. Anticholinergic medications block the effects of: → Acetylcholine
10. Which of the following is an example of a Medication Aide maintaining professional boundaries? → Politely declining a resident's invitation to their family dinner outside of work hours.
11. Which of the following best describes the medication aide's relationship with the supervising nurse? → Subordinate roles functioning under the nurse's delegation and oversight
12. A medication aide is giving levothyroxine. What is the therapeutic classification of this drug? → Thyroid hormone replacement
13. Which of the following is an example of false imprisonment in a long-term care setting? → Physically preventing a resident from leaving their room without legal authority
14. A patient is prescribed a diuretic. The medication aide should expect the patient to: → Have increased urine output
15. When caring for a resident who speaks limited English, the medication aide should: → Use an approved interpreter, visual aids, or translation services
16. What does 'QHS' indicate on a medication order? → Every hour of sleep
17. Which class of drugs is used to reduce pain? → Analgesics
18. Which of the following tasks is considered outside the scope of practice for a certified Medication Aide? → Calculating the dosage for a liquid antibiotic based on the resident's weight.
19. Which observation in a resident taking an antihypertensive medication requires the MOST urgent report to the nurse? → Blood pressure of 78/50 mmHg with dizziness
20. What does the medical suffix '-itis' indicate? → Inflammation
21. A medication aide completes a mandatory continuing education course on medication administration. This requirement is in place primarily to: → Ensure ongoing competency and awareness of updated practices and regulations
22. A resident is ordered a medication to be administered via the buccal route. The Medication Aide should place the tablet: → between the cheek and the gum.
23. A medication aide must never crush which type of oral medication? → Extended-release capsules
24. A resident taking an opioid analgesic for chronic pain complains of constipation. This is a known common side effect of which drug classification? → Opioid analgesics
25. A medication aide notices a resident has difficulty swallowing tablets. What should the aide do first? → Check with the nurse or prescriber to see if an alternative form is available
26. Insulin is classified as which type of therapeutic agent? → Antidiabetic hormone
27. Which of the following is an example of a Schedule II controlled substance? → Oxycodone
28. If a medicine cup is marked in teaspoon increments, which line represents one teaspoon? → 5 mL
29. Which action by a medication aide violates professional boundaries? → Recommending a resident request a different medication from the doctor
30. Which drug classification works by blocking dopamine D2 receptors to reduce psychotic symptoms? → Antipsychotics