New Jersey Medication Aide Practice Test

Unofficial NJ certified medication aide practice: 50 questions of our own by the duty areas of the state manual.

See all 50 with answers
How often must a registered nurse review and sign off on changes the aide made to the MAR?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

Print covers the next 25 questions. Share this set copies a link to the same questions in the same order.

More options

Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the New Jersey Department of Health or PSI Services. Bank checked October 15, 2026.

The real exam, as New Jersey publishes it

Retakes
A candidate who does not pass within six months of finishing the training must retrain.
Who may sit
A person currently certified in New Jersey as a nurse aide, home health aide or personal care assistant who has completed an approved training program.
When
Register within three months of completing the training program.
Who gives it
It is a written, Department-approved examination, scheduled through PSI.
Questions, time, pass mark
Not printed on the Department's page or in the rule. Ask your trainer.
Certification
Valid two years, and renewed with 10 hours of continuing education.
Other states
New Jersey does not reciprocate with any other state's medication aide program.

Checked October 15, 2026 against N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2 and the Department of Health's Certified Medication Aide page. Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

The Department's Certified Medication Aide page

Next step Certified medication aide practice testCNA exam practice test

All 50 questions with answers

Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1) 11

  • A resident has an enteral feeding pump running. What may the certified medication aide not do? Answer: Stop or start the feeding pump. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, (b)3v. Duty areas: Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1).
  • A resident receives a PRN Schedule II narcotic analgesic from the aide. How often must the registered nurse assess that resident? Answer: At least once every seven days. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, (b)2iv. Duty areas: Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1).
  • An order is unclear. Whom does the certified medication aide contact? Answer: The registered professional nurse. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, (b)3iv. Duty areas: Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1).
  • An order needs the dose worked out. What does the rule say about the certified medication aide? Answer: The aide shall not calculate a medication dosage. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, (b)3ii. Duty areas: Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1).
  • How often must a registered nurse review and sign off on changes the aide made to the MAR? Answer: At least weekly. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, (b)6. Duty areas: Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1).
Show all 50 questions (45 more)

Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1), continued

  • In New Jersey assisted living, whose responsibility does the administration of medications remain when it is delegated? Answer: The registered professional nurse's. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, (a). Duty areas: Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1).
  • One resident's tablets have run out, and another resident has the same drug. What does the rule say? Answer: Borrowing shall not occur. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, (d). Duty areas: Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1).
  • What does the rule say about pre-pouring medications? Answer: Not for more than one resident at a time. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, (b)3iii. Duty areas: Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1).
  • Which injection does the New Jersey rule let a certified medication aide give? Answer: Pre-drawn, properly packaged and labeled insulin. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, (b)3i. Duty areas: Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1).
  • Which of these routes may be delegated to a New Jersey certified medication aide? Answer: The PEG tube route. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, (b)2i. Duty areas: Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1).
  • Who may delegate the task of medication administration to a certified medication aide? Answer: A registered professional nurse only. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Introduction. Duty areas: Delegation, scope and limits (Duty Area 1).

Terms, measures and drug effects (Duty Areas 2 to 4) 7

  • A pain medication is ordered "ATC". What does that mean? Answer: Around the clock. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 2. Duty areas: Terms, measures and drug effects (Duty Areas 2 to 4).
  • A resident allergic to penicillin reacts to a cephalosporin such as Keflex. What does the manual call this? Answer: Cross sensitivity. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 4. Duty areas: Terms, measures and drug effects (Duty Areas 2 to 4).
  • Acetaminophen every four hours was ordered for a fever. After 24 hours the fever is unchanged. What does the aide do? Answer: Notify the registered nurse. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 4. Duty areas: Terms, measures and drug effects (Duty Areas 2 to 4).
  • On a medication record, what does the abbreviation "ung" stand for? Answer: Ointment. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 2. Duty areas: Terms, measures and drug effects (Duty Areas 2 to 4).
  • One fluid ounce equals how many tablespoons? Answer: Two. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 2. Duty areas: Terms, measures and drug effects (Duty Areas 2 to 4).
  • Two drugs taken together increase each other's effects. What is this called? Answer: Potentiation. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 4. Duty areas: Terms, measures and drug effects (Duty Areas 2 to 4).
  • Which unwanted effect does the manual tie to iron preparations? Answer: Constipation. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 4. Duty areas: Terms, measures and drug effects (Duty Areas 2 to 4).

Labels, MAR, five rights, refusals, errors (Duty Areas 5 to 8, 11, 12) 10

  • A licensed practical nurse transcribes a new order onto the MAR. What must the aide do before the first dose? Answer: Contact the RN to verify the order. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Appendix C, Question 39. Duty areas: Labels, MAR, five rights, refusals, errors (Duty Areas 5 to 8, 11, 12).
  • A prescriber telephones the residence with a changed dose. What does the manual say about the aide taking it? Answer: Aides do not accept telephone orders. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 6. Duty areas: Labels, MAR, five rights, refusals, errors (Duty Areas 5 to 8, 11, 12).
  • A refill arrives, and its pharmacy label does not match the MAR. What does the aide do? Answer: Notify the registered nurse. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 6. Duty areas: Labels, MAR, five rights, refusals, errors (Duty Areas 5 to 8, 11, 12).
  • A resident refuses a dose after the aide has explained why it matters. What is the next step? Answer: Do not force it; call the RN and document. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 11. Duty areas: Labels, MAR, five rights, refusals, errors (Duty Areas 5 to 8, 11, 12).
  • A resident says, "My morning tablet is blue, and this one is red." What does the aide do first? Answer: Not give the dose, and check. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 10. Duty areas: Labels, MAR, five rights, refusals, errors (Duty Areas 5 to 8, 11, 12).
  • An order reads "Maalox 30 ml PRN". What is missing? Answer: A frequency. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 7. Duty areas: Labels, MAR, five rights, refusals, errors (Duty Areas 5 to 8, 11, 12).
  • The pharmacy did not send a resident's 9:00 dose. How does the manual treat this? Answer: As a medication error to document. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 12. Duty areas: Labels, MAR, five rights, refusals, errors (Duty Areas 5 to 8, 11, 12).
  • What must a PRN order for pain say, by the manual? Answer: The site of the pain. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 7. Duty areas: Labels, MAR, five rights, refusals, errors (Duty Areas 5 to 8, 11, 12).
  • Which of these is one of the five rights the New Jersey manual teaches? Answer: Right route. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 7. Duty areas: Labels, MAR, five rights, refusals, errors (Duty Areas 5 to 8, 11, 12).
  • Who may change the wording on a prescription label? Answer: A prescriber or a pharmacist. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Appendix C, Question 42. Duty areas: Labels, MAR, five rights, refusals, errors (Duty Areas 5 to 8, 11, 12).

Vital signs and oral medications (Duty Areas 9 and 10) 7

  • A resident on medication complains of dizziness. Which vital signs does the manual say to measure before notifying the RN? Answer: Blood pressure and pulse. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 9. Duty areas: Vital signs and oral medications (Duty Areas 9 and 10).
  • A resident wants her long-acting tablet crushed so it goes down more easily. What does the manual say? Answer: Each dose is taken whole. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 10. Duty areas: Vital signs and oral medications (Duty Areas 9 and 10).
  • Before a narcotic is given, which vital sign does the manual say to check? Answer: Respirations. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 9. Duty areas: Vital signs and oral medications (Duty Areas 9 and 10).
  • In general, how much water does the manual say is best with an oral medication? Answer: A full 8-ounce glass. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 10. Duty areas: Vital signs and oral medications (Duty Areas 9 and 10).
  • When may a medication be mixed into a resident's food or drink? Answer: When the MAR orders it and the resident knows. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 10. Duty areas: Vital signs and oral medications (Duty Areas 9 and 10).
  • Which liquid does the manual give as an example that needs more dilution before it is given? Answer: Potassium chloride liquid. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 10. Duty areas: Vital signs and oral medications (Duty Areas 9 and 10).
  • Which pulse range does the manual give as normal? Answer: 60 to 90 beats a minute. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 9. Duty areas: Vital signs and oral medications (Duty Areas 9 and 10).

Disposal, storage and inventory (Duty Areas 13 to 15) 5

  • A resident's medication is discontinued. Within what time must it be destroyed in the facility, if it is not returned to the pharmacy? Answer: Within 30 days. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.7, (e). Duty areas: Disposal, storage and inventory (Duty Areas 13 to 15).
  • How can an aide tell from the container that a prescription is for a controlled substance? Answer: It carries a federal transfer warning label. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 14. Duty areas: Disposal, storage and inventory (Duty Areas 13 to 15).
  • How many individuals must witness and document medication destruction in the facility? Answer: Two. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.7, (f). Duty areas: Disposal, storage and inventory (Duty Areas 13 to 15).
  • May an assisted living residence keep a stock supply of medications? Answer: Not without prior approval from the Department. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.7, (d). Duty areas: Disposal, storage and inventory (Duty Areas 13 to 15).
  • Where is the key to the locked medication storage area kept? Answer: On the person of the responsible employee. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.7, (a)3. Duty areas: Disposal, storage and inventory (Duty Areas 13 to 15).

Gastrostomy tube, insulin and other routes (Duty Area 16 and Part II) 6

  • A resident with diabetes is shaky, sweating and confused. What does the aide give at once? Answer: Food containing fast-acting sugar. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 2.1. Duty areas: Gastrostomy tube, insulin and other routes (Duty Area 16 and Part II).
  • Before a medication goes down a gastrostomy tube, the aide draws back more than 60 ml of residual. What happens next? Answer: Do not proceed; contact the RN. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 2.2. Duty areas: Gastrostomy tube, insulin and other routes (Duty Area 16 and Part II).
  • How is an insulin suspension in a pen mixed? Answer: Rolled gently and tipped, never shaken. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Appendix C, Question 43. Duty areas: Gastrostomy tube, insulin and other routes (Duty Area 16 and Part II).
  • How is the resident positioned for medication through a gastrostomy tube? Answer: Head raised at least 30 degrees. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 2.2. Duty areas: Gastrostomy tube, insulin and other routes (Duty Area 16 and Part II).
  • May one insulin pen be used for two residents if a new needle is attached? Answer: No; sharing any medication is prohibited. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Appendix C, Question 54. Duty areas: Gastrostomy tube, insulin and other routes (Duty Area 16 and Part II).
  • Why must a medication never be mixed with enteral feeding formula? Answer: The mixture may curdle and clog the tube. Source: N.J. Department of Health, Trainer Manual: A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (rev. June 2014), Duty Area 2.2. Duty areas: Gastrostomy tube, insulin and other routes (Duty Area 16 and Part II).

Certification rules (Appendix A, N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2) 4

  • A medication aide certified in another state moves to New Jersey. What does the Department of Health say about reciprocity? Answer: New Jersey does not reciprocate with any other state. Source: New Jersey Department of Health, Certified Medication Aide page, Reciprocity. Duty areas: Certification rules (Appendix A, N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2).
  • For how long is a New Jersey medication aide certification valid? Answer: Two years from the date of issue. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2, (b). Duty areas: Certification rules (Appendix A, N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2).
  • How much continuing education must a medication aide complete in each two-year certification period? Answer: At least 10 hours. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2, (d). Duty areas: Certification rules (Appendix A, N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2).
  • Within what time after finishing the training course must an applicant sit for the standardized examination? Answer: Within six months. Source: N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2, (c). Duty areas: Certification rules (Appendix A, N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2).

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to what New Jersey publishes for a certified medication aide in assisted living. N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2 requires a Department-approved standardized examination after the approved training course; the Department of Health's Certified Medication Aide page (read 2026-10-15) sends candidates to PSI to schedule it and prints no question count, time limit or pass mark. The Department's Trainer Manual, A Resource Guide for Medication Administration (revised June 2014), is the curriculum: 16 duty areas in Part 1 and nine in Part II. The bank holds 11 questions on delegation, scope and limits, 7 on terms, measures and drug effects, 10 on labels, the MAR, the five rights, refusals and errors, 7 on vital signs and oral medications, 5 on disposal, storage and inventory, 6 on the gastrostomy tube, insulin and other routes, and 4 on the certification rules the manual reprints in its Appendix A. Every fact was read on 2026-10-15 in the source the question names: N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, 8:36-9.2 and 8:36-11.7 (17 questions, read in the public copy at law.cornell.edu), the Department's page (1) and the Trainer Manual (32). Where the 2014 manual and the rule now in force differ, the question follows the rule. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This practice test for the certified medication aide (CMA) exam in New Jersey is free, with no account. It is unofficial and not affiliated with the New Jersey Department of Health or PSI Services, which schedules the exam.

Read the full guide

A medication aide study guide for NJ

The questions follow the duty areas of the Department's trainer manual: delegation and limits, terms and drug effects, labels and the MAR, vital signs and oral medications, storage, and the gastrostomy tube and insulin.

Where the answers come from

N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, 8:36-9.2 and 8:36-11.7 answer 17 questions, the Department's page one and the trainer manual 32. Where the 2014 manual and the rule differ, the question follows the rule.

Where New Jersey differs

Only a registered nurse may delegate. A New Jersey aide may use the PEG tube route and give pre-drawn insulin, and may not calculate a dose, pre-pour for more than one resident or call a prescriber.

  • The Department's page says a certified medication aide is not the same as a certified medical assistant.

Questions and answers

Is there a medication aide study guide for NJ?

The Department of Health's trainer manual, A Resource Guide for Medication Administration, sets out the course in duty areas. The rules are N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2 and 8:36-11.5.

Is this certified medication aide practice test for NJ the real exam?

No. The state examination is closed. These are our own questions, written from New Jersey's rules, the Department's page and its trainer manual, and from no test form.

How many questions are on the NJ certified medication aide exam?

The Department's page and the rule do not print a question count, a time limit or a pass mark, so this page does not guess them. Ask your trainer, or PSI when you register.

How long do you have to pass the NJ medication aide exam?

Register within three months of completing the training program. If you do not pass within six months of completing it, you must retrain, by the Department's page.

More tests

Show 7 more

Browse Safety and Trades