MA Flashcards
Which of the following steps for a fingerstick should a medical assistant complete first?
- Cleanse the site with an antiseptic wipe.
- Select the appropriate part of the third and fourth finger.
- Position the blade of the lancet across the lines of the fingertip.
- Confirm the correct identity of the patient.
Confirm the correct identity of the patient.
A medical assistant is scheduling diagnostic tests for a patient’s liver and pancreas. Which of the following system is being assessed?
- Cardiovascular
- Integumentary
- Respiratory
- Digestive
Digestive
at work, a medical assistant cared for a neighbor who sustained multiple injuries in a fall. After work, another neighbor asks the assistant what happened to the neighbor who fell. Following the American Association of Medical Assistant’s code of ethics, which of the following responses should the assistant make?
- “ she broke a couple of bones, but she’ll be fine.”
- “it was nothing serious. You’ll see her soon enough.”
- “we’ll see her every week or so during her recovery.”
- “I cant share any information about what happens at my job.”
“I cant share any information about what happens at my job.”
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who is 5’ 7” tall. Which of the following is the patient’s height in centimeters?
- 170 cm
- 145 cm
- 114 cm
- 26 cm
170 cm
(When making this conversion, the assistant should rst convert 5’ 7’’ to 67 inches. Next, the assistant should convert inches to
centimeters by multiplying by 2.54. The result is 170.18 cm, which rounds to 170 cm.)
A medical assistant observes a hematoma developing at the site of a venous blood draw. The assistant should do which of the following?
- Observe the site to see if the hematoma worsens.
- Ask the patient to apply pressure to the area.
- Release the tourniquet and stop the draw.
- Call for a nurse and assess the patient’s condition.
Release the tourniquet and stop the draw.
(Once a hematoma begins, the assistant should stop the draw to prevent further damage. The assistant should apply pressure
to the area to prevent further hematoma development.)
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who weighs 72 kg. What is this patient’s weight in lb?
- 158.4 lb
- 32.7 lb
- 115.2 lb
- 45.1 lb
158.4 lb
(To convert from kilograms to pounds, the assistant should multiple the patient’s weight in kilograms by 2.2: 72 kg x 2.2 = 158.4. Therefore, the patient’s converted weight is 158.4 lb.)
When measuring a patient’s respiratory rate, which of the following actions should a medical assistant take to
ensure an accurate reading?
-Count the respirations while the patient thinks his pulse is being obtained.
-Instruct the patient to breathe normally while counting his breaths.
-Count the respirations for 15 seconds and multiply by 2.
-Instruct the patient to take deep breaths while obtaining his pulse.
Count the respirations while the patient thinks his pulse is being obtained.
(In order to obtain the most accurate reading, the assistant should count the respirations without the patient being aware that his breathing is being assessed. The patient can easily control or alter breathing patterns
when he is conscious that the assistant is paying attention to his respirations)
A medical assistant is explaining to a female patient how to collect a clean-catch urine specimen. Which of the
following instructions should the assistant include?
-Place the removable lid of the specimen container face down on a clean surface.
-Clean the perineal area from back to front with three antiseptic towelettes.
-With the labia spread, urinate a small amount into the toilet before collecting the sample.
-To collect the urine, press the specimen container’s edges up against the perineum.
With the labia spread, urinate a small amount into the toilet before collecting the sample.
(A clean-catch urine specimen is a midstream specimen. The patient must begin urinating into the toilet, stop, and then catch
the “mid-stream” of the urine with the specimen container.)
A medical assistant is collecting vital signs from a 6-year-old child. The assistant should recognize that which of the following vital signs is outside of the expected reference range for this patient and should be reported to the provider? -Respiratory rate 22/min -Heart rate 140/min -Blood pressure 110/72 mm Hg -Temperature 37° C (98.6° F)
Heart rate 140/min
(A heart rate of 140/min is outside of the expected reference range for a 6-year-old child. A heart rate ranging from 70 to
130/min is the expected reference range for a 6-year old child.)
A medical assistant is collecting data from a patient who has cold sores on his lips. The assistant should identify
that which of the following viruses causes this condition?
-Inuenza A
-Herpes simplex type 1
-Epstein-Barr
-Rhabdovirus
Herpes simplex type 1
The assistant should recognize that the herpes simplex virus type 1 causes cold sores.
A medical assistant is caring for an infant who suddenly becomes unresponsive for unknown reasons. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
- Check for a foreign object in the mouth with a blind nger sweep.
- Perform abdominal thrusts.
- Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Perform ve back blows
Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
(f an infant suddenly becomes unresponsive, the assistant should immediately initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 2
min prior to activating emergency response measures.)
A medical assistant is transcribing a prescription for a medication that a patient should take before meals. Which
of the following abbreviations should the assistant use to indicate when the patient should take the medication?
-pc
-hs
-ac
-prn
ac
The abbreviation “ac” means “before meals.”
A medical assistant is assisting a patient whose insurance does not cover immunizations. To which of the following
community resources should assistant refer the patient?
-American Red Cross
-Department of Health and Human -Services (HHS)
-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
-Child Protective Services
Department of Health and Human -Services (HHS)
The HHS provides immunizations and other health services for people who lack necessary insurance coverage
A medical assistant is replacing a sharps container in an examination room and receives a small laceration on her
arm from the plastic lid. Which of the following types of documentation should the assistant complete as a result of this incident?
-Advance Beneciary Notice (ABN)
-OSHA Form 301
-CMS-1500 claim form
-Quality control log
OSHA Form 301
(The assistant should recognize that the OSHA Form 301 is an incident report used when reporting details about a workrelated injury or illness.)
A medical assistant should use which of the following solutions to prepare a patient’s skin prior to drawing blood cultures?
- Benzoin tincture
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Chlorhexidine
Chlorhexidine
Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic agent that is used to clean skin before a blood culture draw
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient who is scheduled for a standard 12-lead EKG. Which of the following statements should the assistant make?
- “You can expect the procedure to take about 20 minutes.”
- “You must sit in an upright position during this procedure.”
- “You will feel some electrical pulsations during this procedure.”
- “You should refrain from talking during the procedure.”
“You should refrain from talking during the procedure.”
(The assistant should instruct the patient to refrain from talking during the procedure. Even slight movements can interfere
with the EKG tracing.)
A patient presents to an emergency department with a large laceration to the wrist that is bleeding profusely.
Which of the following actions should the medical assistant take rst?
-Don gloves.
-Elevate the extremity above the wound site.
-Examine the wound site for foreign objects.
-Place pressure directly on the wound with sterile gauze.
Don gloves (The assistant must don gloves prior to wound care to prevent further contamination)
A medical assistant is administering an intramuscular injection into the gluteus medius of an adult patient. At
which of the following angles should the assistant insert the needle?
-15° angle
-25° angle
-45° angle
-90° angle
90° angle
A 90° angle is used primarily for intramuscular injections in adult patients.
A medical assistant is preparing to assist a provider with suturing a wound. Which of the following items should be in the sterile eld for this procedure? -Bandages -Skin retractor -Scalpel -Hemostat
Hemostat
A hemostat would be used in a suturing procedure and must be located in the sterile field
According to the regulation of controlled substances, which of the following is true of a Schedule I drug?
- Are available for unlimited rells
- Are available over the counter (OTC)
- Have no accepted medical use
- Have a low potential for abuse
Have no accepted medical use
(Schedule I drugs have been deemed to have a high potential for abuse, are unavailable for prescription rells, are not
available OTC, and are not accepted for medical use. Possession of these drugs is illegal.)
The laboratory report on a patient indicates a hemoglobin level of 7 g/dL. Which of the following is the rst action
for the medical assistant to take?
-Notify the provider.
-Inform the patient.
-Record the results in the medical record.
-Repeat the test to ensure accuracy
Notify the provider.
Because the results indicate a critically low level of hemoglobin, the assistant should notify the provider
A medical assistant is performing an EKG on a patient. Which of the following describes the appropriate placement of the electrodes? -Tabs downward on the arm -Tabs downward on the knee -Tabs upward on the chest -Tabs downward on the lower leg
Tabs downward on the arm
Tabs should be placed downward to reduce tension and pulling on the electrodes
A clinic schedules all cardiac patients on Mondays and Wednesdays and all oncology patients on Tuesdays and
Thursdays. Which of the following types of scheduling is the clinic using?
-Stream scheduling
-Cluster scheduling
-Wave scheduling
-Modied-wave scheduling
Cluster scheduling (Cluster scheduling is grouping patients who have similar conditions into specic time slots or days.)
At work, a medical assistant cared for a neighbor who sustained multiple injuries in a fall. After work, another
neighbor asks the assistant what happened to the neighbor who fell. Following the American Association of
Medical Assistants’ (AAMA) Code of Ethics, which of the following responses should the assistant make?
-“She broke a couple of bones, but she’ll be fine.”
-“It was nothing serious. You’ll see her soon enough.”
-“We’ll see her every week or so during her recovery.”
-“I can’t share any information about what happens at my job.”
“I can’t share any information about what happens at my job.”
(It is the assistant’s responsibility to remain within the legal scope of practice both within and outside of the clinical setting.
This response by the assistant follows the AAMA Code of Ethics by maintaining patient condentiality.)
A medical assistant is talking with a patient who is experiencing home displacement following a hurricane. To
which of the following resources should the assistant refer the patient for information, support, and links to
community services?
-Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
-American Red Cross
-National Council on Aging
-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
American Red Cross
(The primary purpose of the American Red Cross is to provide crucial disaster response services. The American Red Cross also
coordinates mental health resources for survivors of disasters.)
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has bilateral below-the-knee amputations for an EKG. Which of the
following sites should the assistant select for electrode placement?
-Lower arms
-Elbows
-Abdomen
-Knees
Abdomen
The assistant should place the electrodes on the abdomen or thighs of a person who has a below-the-knee amputation.
When completing documentation in a patient’s paper medical record, a medical assistant realizes she made an
error. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
- Leave the error in the medical record.
- Draw a line through the error and initial it.
- Erase the entry in the medical record.
- Use correction uid to correct the entry
Draw a line through the error and initial it.
(The assistant should draw a line through the error, insert the correction, write the date next to the correction, and initial or
sign the correction.)
A medical assistant is preparing a patient for an enema. In which of the following positions should the assistant place the patient for this procedure? -Fowler's position -Semi-Fowler's position -Sims' position -Lithotomy position
Sims’ position
(Sims’ position is used for rectal examinations, rectal instillations, and some pelvic examinations. An enema is a rectal instillation.)
While measuring a patient’s pulse, the medical assistant should recognize that which of the following
patient factors can contribute to an erroneous pulse rate?
-Blood pressure
-Weight
-Movement
-Hydration
Movement
(The patient’s movement can alter results in the pulse measurement because of possible change in heart rate. If the patient is moving during the pulse measurement, the assistant might receive an erroneous result)
Which of the following tests is granted waived status under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)?
- Rapid strep test
- Urine microscopy analysis
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone
- White blood cell dierential
Rapid strep test
The rapid strep test is granted waived status under CLIA
A provider examines an older adult patient who is disabled and has a lesion on her arm. A medical assistant should
anticipate a referral for this patient to which of the following ancillary services?
-Diagnostic services
-Home health care
-Rehabilitation services
-Hospice care
Home health care
(Home health care organizations provide assistance with medications, wound care, and other services that need to be provided in a patient’s place of residence. Home health care is the most appropriate service to provide daily wound care for this patient.)
Which of the following statements made by a medical assistant demonstrates an understanding of required patient
identication techniques?
-“I can obtain the patient’s name by looking in the patient’s chart prior to obtaining blood samples.”
-“I will ask the patient to state and spell her full name and provide her date of birth before administering
vaccines.”
-“I can look at the daily schedule to obtain the patient’s name and the reason for the visit when checking the
patient in.”
“I will ask a coworker to conrm the identity of the patient prior to collecting a urine specimen.”
“I will ask the patient to state and spell her full name and provide her date of birth before administering
vaccines.”
(The Joint Commission requires conrmation of patient identity through two forms of identication. The Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) requires a patient both spell and state their full name)
A medical assistant receives a telephone call from a patient who is hesitant about discussing a new medical
concern unless the conversation is with a provider. The assistant should use which of the following techniques to
address the patient’s reluctance?
-Tell the patient he has nothing to worry about.
-Ask the patient why he does not trust the assistant with the information.
-Use a reflective statement to recognize the patient’s concerns.
-Provide examples of patients who have similar concerns to reassure the patient
Use a reflective statement to recognize the patient’s concerns.
(Reflection is an active listening technique that demonstrates to the patient that the assistant is listening to what is being said and is taking the patient’s feelings into consideration. The assistant should use this communication technique to express recognition of the patient’s concerns.)
A medical assistant needs to type a professional business letter from the office. Which of the following formats is
appropriate?
-Keep flush with the left margin.
-Leave two lines between the closing and the typed signature.
-Center the inside address and greeting.
-Omit the date and the typed signature.
Keep flush with the left margin.
In block letter style, the entire text is left aligned
A medical assistant is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection for a patient. Which of the following needle sizes should the assistant choose? -1/2 - to / -inch needle, 25 gauge -1- to 2-inch needle, 18 gauge -3/8 - to 5/8 -inch needle, 27 gauge 3 -1/2 - to 1-inch needle, 21 gauge
1/2 - to / -inch needle, 25 gauge
(The assistant should select this needle size for a subcutaneous injection. The assistant should use a / - to / -inch needle to reach the subcutaneous layer. Subcutaneous refers to the adipose tissue below the skin and above the muscle. Using a smaller gauge and needle size allows low viscosity medications to be inserted through a smaller hole and allows for minimal
tissue damage)
Which of the following is the largest and uppermost section of the brain?
- Cerebrum
- Cerebellum
- Brainstem
- Diencephalon
Cerebrum
(The cerebrum is the largest and uppermost section of the brain. It is divided into lobes and separated into the right and left
hemisphere.)
When assisting a provider with a punch biopsy of a mole, which of the following tasks should a medical assistant
expect to perform?
-Receive and prepare tissue specimens for processing.
-Swab uids from the biopsy site.
-Retract the edges of the biopsy site.
-Place sutures at the incision site.
Receive and prepare tissue specimens for processing.
(The assistant is responsible for receiving and preparing tissue specimens obtained from a punch biopsy for processing by the
laboratory)
A medical assistant works at a practice that is part of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). This designation
means that the practice’s health care team will focus on improving care for patients who have which of the
following types of medical coverage?
-Medicaid
-Preferred provider organization (PPO)
-Medicare
-Health maintenance organization (HMO)
Medicare
(ACOs have a strong relationship with patient-centered medical homes as mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services. The intention of this relationship is to increase the quality of care for patients who have Medicare health coverage.)
Which of the following parenteral medication routes should a medical assistant administer for a slow
release of medication into the blood stream?
-Transdermal
-Sublingual
-Buccal
-Inhalation
Transdermal
Transdermal patches are infused with medication that is slowly absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream
According to OSHA’s guidelines for proper waste disposal, which of the following should a medical assistant place in a regular waste container?
- A positive culture plate
- Suture staples
- An empty urine container
- A capillary tube
An empty urine container
(The assistant should place an empty urine container in a regular trash container, unless there is visible blood present.)
Several patients arrive at a clinic at the same time requesting care. A medical assistant should recognize that which of the following patient’s chief complaints is the priority for the provider to address?
- An adult patient who reports continuing symptoms of GERD
- An young adult patient who is irritable and has a localized rash on her upper body
- A middle adult patient who demonstrates depression and frustration
- An adult patient who is experiencing dyspnea and congestion
An adult patient who is experiencing dyspnea and congestion
(Dyspnea, or diculty breathing, coupled with congestion can be a sign of a life-threatening medical emergency. The assistant should recognize that this patient’s chief complaint is the priority for the provider to address.)
A medical assistant should identify that which of the following vitamins is fat soluble?
- Niacin
- Folate
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
Vitamin A
(The assistant should identify that vitamin A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins, which means these vitamins are stored in the adipose tissue.)
A medical assistant should identify which of the following as a characteristic of anorexia nervosa?
- Excessive Excersing
- Binging and purging
- Use of laxatives or diuretics
- Erosion of tooth enamel
Excessive Excersing (The assistant should identify that excessive exercise is a characteristic of the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. Other symptoms include self-starvation, excessive fear of gaining weight, and ritualistic eating behaviors.)
A medical assistant is preparing to le the paper chart for Mary St. Thomas. Where should this le be placed when led along with the charts for Mary Perez, Elizabeth Saint, and John A. Thomas?
- After John A. Thomas
- Before Mary Perez
- After Elizabeth Saint and before John A. Thomas
- After Mary Perez and before Elizabeth Saint
After Elizabeth Saint and before John A. Thomas
(The chart of Mary St. Thomas ts alphabetically after Elizabeth Saint and before John A. Thomas because the “St.” should be led as if spelled out as “Saint”)
A patient informs a medical assistant that he gets headaches when he reads from a computer monitor. The assistant should place this information in which of the following locations when using the SOAP approach to organizing medical records?
- Subjective
- Objective
- Assessment
- Plan
Subjective
(Subjective data includes patient symptoms, non-measurable data, and patient statements. Therefore, the patient’s report of headaches when reading from a computer screen would be documented in the Subjective (S) section of the record.)
A medical assistant is preparing to create a report about patients who have a family history of breast cancer. Which
of the following types of software will allow the assistant to sort, retrieve, and combine information for this report?
-Database management
-Accounting and billing
-Appointment scheduling
-Word processor
Database management
(The assistant should use a database management system to sort and retrieve information quickly. A database allows the
assistant to track specic information and create customized applications to sort the information and create reports)
For a 12-lead EKG, which of the following is the correct placement for the V4 electrode?
- At the fourth intercostal space, right margin of the sternum
- Under the left arm, on the midaxillary line
- At the fth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
- At the fourth intercostal space, right midclavicular line
At the fth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
This is the correct placement of electrode V4
A medical assistant is entering a new prescription into a patient’s electronic medical record (EMR). While entering
the prescription, an alert notifying the assistant of a medication interaction appears on the screen. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take?
-Override the alert and enter the prescription.
-Call the pharmacist to obtain information about alternative medications.
-Notify the patient of possible interactions with the prescribed medication.
-Consult with the provider before continuing to process the prescription.
Consult with the provider before continuing to process the prescription.
(If an alert appears while entering a prescription into an EMR, the assistant should recognize that the provider needs to be consulted due to the medication’s potential interactions with other medications or certain foods. The assistant should consult
the provider before continuing with prescription entry.)
Which of the following statements made by a new medical assistant, regarding an artifact, demonstrates a need for
further teaching?
-“A broken recording is not caused by patient movement.”
-“A wandering baseline artifact is due to patient movement and respiration.”
-“Electrical interference on the EKG is not caused by cell phones.”
-“Somatic tremor is due to muscle movement.”
“Electrical interference on the EKG is not caused by cell phones.”
(This statement demonstrates a need for further teaching because cell phones can be a cause of electrical interference on the EKG)
A medical assistant is reviewing a patient’s medical history prior to the patient’s appointment. Which of the
following laboratory results indicates the need to schedule an extension of the current visit?
-Hematocrit 42.2%
-BUN 10 mg/dL
-Potassium 4.3 mEq/L
-Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL
Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL
(This fasting blood glucose level is above the expected reference range of 70 to 130 mg/dL. The assistant should notify the
provider and schedule an extension of the patient’s visit.)
A medical assistant is reviewing laboratory results that conrm a patient has varicella zoster virus. The assistant
should identify that this micro-organism causes which of the following types of infections?
-Mumps
-Measles
-Rubella
-Chickenpox
Chickenpox
Varicella zoster virus can cause chickenpox or shingles.
A patient presents to an oce for treatment. After reading the consent form, she expresses concerns about the
treatment. Who is responsible for counseling the patient?
- Administrative assistant
- Medical assistant
- Provider
- Administrative manager
Provider
A provider is the only one of these personnel who can practice medicine and give medical advice.
A medical assistant is caring for a child who has varicella zoster virus. The assistant should recognize that varicella
is transferred through which of the following modes of transmission?
-Airborne
-Bloodborne
-Vector-borne
-Foodborne
Airborne
(Varicella zoster virus, also known as chickenpox, is spread by airborne and contact transmission. Contaminated particles can
be inhaled through tiny droplets that are exhaled by the infected person)
Which of the following laboratory results should the medical assistant recognize is abnormal?
- Sodium 138 mEq/L
- Red blood cell count 5.2/mm3
- Platelets 350/mm3
- Potassium 3 mEq/L
Potassium 3 mEq/L
This potassium level is below the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L.
An adolescent is covered by two insurance policies under her divorced parents who have birthdays in May and
August and have joint custody. Which policy is the primary policy for the adolescent?
-The policy that the adolescent chooses
-The policy written in which the adolescent is the dependent
-The policy that was written rst
-The policy of the parent who has the earliest birth month
The policy of the parent who has the earliest birth month
According to the third-party payer guidelines, the primary insurance policy is determined by which parent has the earliest
birth month. This is also known as “the birthday rule.”
A medical assistant is talking with a patient who reports forgetting whether she has taken her prescribed
medication each day. Which of the following responses should the assistant make?
-“I’ll check with the doctor, but I don’t think missing an occasional dose will do any harm.”
-“Count how many pills are left in the bottle to gure out what you’ve taken.”
-“Try putting your medications in a weekly medication dispenser for the upcoming week.”
-“Ask a neighbor to come in every day and observe while you take your medication.”
“Try putting your medications in a weekly medication dispenser for the upcoming week.”
The assistant is responsible for providing encouragement and guidance for patients when discussing medication compliance.
Suggesting the use of a tool designed for maintaining medication compliance is within the assistant’s scope of practice.
A medication container states there is 250 mg of medication in each scored tablet. The provider orders 375 mg. How
many tablets should the medical assistant give the patient?
-1.5 tablets
-1 tablet
-2 tablets
-0.5 tablets
1.5 tablets
The assistant should recognize that 250 multiplied by 1.5 equals 375. Therefore, 1.5 tablets provides the required 375 mg.
A medical assistant is reviewing laboratory requisitions. For which of the following patient conditions should the
assistant perform a capillary collection rather than a venipuncture?
-Edema in the ngers
-HIV-positive
-Previous thromboses
-Hypothyroidism
Previous thromboses
The assistant should consider a capillary puncture when the amount of blood needed is minimal and a patient has a history of
thromboses.
Which of the following cell structures is instrumental in helping the body mobilize and secrete mucus from the respiratory tract? -Centrioles -Ribosomes -Cilia -Mitochondria
Cilia
Cilia are hairlike projections found in the lungs that are capable of movement and are instrumental in helping with mobilizing
and secreting mucus from the respiratory tract.
A medical assistant is assisting with the physical examination of a patient who has scabies. Besides gloves, which of
the following pieces of personal protective equipment should the assistant wear?
-Gown
-Mask
-Goggles
-N95 Respirator
Gown
Scabies requires contact precautions; therefore, the assistant should wear gloves and a gown. Other patient conditions that
require contact precautions include hepatitis A, rotavirus, and herpes zoster (shingles).
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching about a cardiac event monitor with a patient. Which of the following
statements by the patient indicates an understanding of the procedure?
-“I will return the monitor after wearing it -for 24 hours.”
-“I will discontinue my usual exercise routine.”
-“I will avoid removing the electrodes.”
-“I will record any symptoms I experience in the event log.
“I will record any symptoms I experience in the event log.”
A medical assistant is testing a patient’s visual acuity using a Snellen chart. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
- Position the patient 40 feet from the chart.
- Make sure the patient does not lean forward during the test.
- Have the patient close her left eye behind an occluder when testing the right eye.
- Ask the patient to read the smallest line rst and then proceed to the largest.
Make sure the patient does not lean forward during the test.
If the patient leans forward, the distance from the chart will be altered and the test results will be inaccurate.
A medical assistant is caring for a 4-month-old infant who has a temperature of 100.4° F. Which of the following is
this temperature when converted to Celsius?
-38° C
-36.5° C
-37.5° C
-34.2° C
38° C
To convert a temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius, the assistant should subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature and
multiply the result by / : (100.4° F - 32) x / = 38° C.
Where do cardiac electrical impulses originate in the heart?
- Atrioventricular node
- Bundle of His
- Purkinje bers
- Sinoatrial node
Sinoatrial node
Which of the following documents indicates how a patient's medical records will be used and disclosed by a medical oce? -Explanation of benets (EOB) -Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) -Advance Beneciary Notice (ABN) -Assignment of benets
Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)
An NPP details how a patient’s medical records will be used and disclosed by a medical oce.
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has congestive heart failure (CHF) for an examination by the
provider. Which of the following manifestations should the assistant expect?
- Palpitations
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath
Expected manifestations of CHF include shortness of breath, fatigue, and edema.
Which of the following items in a medical oce are considered administrative oce supplies?
- Computers, telephones, and chairs
- Letterhead, envelopes, and business cards
- Examination table paper, stethoscopes, and otoscopes
- File cabinets, storage bins, and shelves for records
Letterhead, envelopes, and business cards
Letterhead, envelopes, business cards, stationery, copy paper, pens, and pencils are considered administrative oce supplies
necessary for the administration of the practice.
A medical assistant is coding an oce visit during which the provider reviewed the systems related to a patient’s
chief complaint but did not discuss the patient’s family or social history. Which of the following procedure codes
should the assistant use for this visit?
-Detailed history
-Comprehensive history
-Problem-focused history
-Expanded problem-focused history
Expanded problem-focused history
An expanded problem-focused history includes the systems related to the chief complaint but does not include a family or
social history.
A medical assistant is monitoring an infant patient for microcephaly. Which of the following describes the
anthropometric measurement that the assistant should perform?
-Length
-Weight
-Chest circumference
-Head circumference
Head circumference
Microcephaly refers to an abnormally small head. Therefore, the assistant should measure the infant’s head circumference
when monitoring for microcephaly
A medical assistant is performing an ear irrigation for an adult patient who has a cerumen impaction. Which of the
following steps should the assistant complete prior to administering the irrigation solution?
-Cool the irrigation solution to 15.6° C (60° F).
-Place the patient in the prone position.
-Pull the pinna of the ear up and back.
-Insert a cotton-tipped applicator into the ear canal.
Pull the pinna of the ear up and back.
The assistant should pull the pinna of the ear up and back to manipulate the external ear canal, allowing the irrigation
solution to circulate through it and drain more easily.
A medical assistant is reviewing a patient’s recent medical history and notes that she has a healing fracture of the
distal femur. Where on the patient’s body should the assistant expect to nd the injury?
-Just above the knee
-Just above the elbow
-Just below the hip
-Just below the shoulder
Just above the knee
The femur is the large bone that connects the hip to the knee. The term distal refers to a point farthest away from the trunk of the body. Therefore, the distal femur would be located just above the knee
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who has terminal colorectal cancer with a life expectancy of 6 months.
The patient states, “I don’t know if it’s time to begin hospice care yet.” Which of the following statements should
the assistant make?
-“It’s not the right time to talk end-of-life care yet. You still have some time.”
-“If you want to begin hospice care, you will need to have your partner approve your decision rst.”
-“You will need to create a Do Not Resuscitate Order before making any decision about end-of-life care.”
-“Hospice can help manage your pain and comfort during the nal months of your life.”
“Hospice can help manage your pain and comfort during the nal months of your life.”
This statement by the assistant provides information about hospice care and the services it provides. Providing more
information for the patient is a therapeutic response and gives the patient the ability to inquire for more information if
necessary.
A medical assistant is preparing to calculate a patient’s heart rate from an EKG tracing. Which of the following
methods should the assistant use for this calculation?
-Calculate the mean rate and divide 1,500 by that rate.
-Count the number of small boxes in two cardiac cycles.
-Divide 1,500 by the number of small boxes between two R waves.
-Count the number of large boxes between the P and T waves.
Divide 1,500 by the number of small boxes between two R waves.
The assistant should use the 1500 method to calculate a full cardiac cycle
Which of the following terms refers to the range of fees charged by providers who have similar training and
experience and practice in the same geographical area?
-Usual
-Reasonable
-Customary
-Capitation
Customary
A customary fee is a range of fees charged by providers who have similar training and experience and practice in the same
geographical area.
A medical assistant is responsible for cleaning the instruments used in a minor surgery. Which of the following is the first step in this process? -Sanitization -Chemical sterilization -Disinfection -Autoclave
Sanitization
Sanitization is the rst step of cleaning instruments. All instruments that come into contact with a patient’s skin should be
sanitized before proceeding with disinfection and sterilization.
A medical assistant is preparing to administer a liquid, oral medication to a patient. Which of the following
methods should the assistant use to ensure the correct dose is delivered?
-Pour the medication to the prescribed dose in the medicine cup on a at surface.
-Add slightly more than the prescribed dose to account for the medication adhering to the sides of the cup.
-Pour the medication into the container’s lid for easy administration.
-Measure the dose at the top of the meniscus in the medicine cup.
Pour the medication to the prescribed dose in the medicine cup on a at surface.
-The assistant should place the medicine cup on a at surface at eye level and pour the medication to the prescribed dose
mark.
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has anemia for an examination by the provider. Which of the
following manifestations should the assistant expect to nd?
-Irregular heartbeat
-Chest pain
-Itchy skin
-Abdominal pain
Irregular heartbeat
The assistant should recognize that an irregular heartbeat, fatigue, dizziness, and pale skin are manifestations of anemia.
A medical assistant must invert anticoagulant tubes to prevent which of the following?
- Hemolysis
- Clotting
- Hemoconcentration
- Reux
Clotting
The assistant should invert the anticoagulant tubes to prevent clotting.
When performing the palpatory method for obtaining blood pressure, which of the following indicates the level at
which the medical assistant should inate the cu?
-30 mm Hg above the radial pulse cessation
-30 mm Hg above the brachial pulse cessation
-30 mm Hg above the reappearance of the radial pulse
-30 mm Hg above the reappearance of the brachial pulse
30 mm Hg above the radial pulse cessation
The palpatory method requires the assistant to inate the cu 30 mm Hg above the cessation of the radial pulse
In which of the following scenarios should a medical assistant choose a CPT modier?
- For special circumstances applied to a procedure performed by the provider
- For an examination performed to diagnose a condition and to determine treatment
- For a follow-up procedure performed by the assistant
- For a routine service performed by the provider for a healthy patient
For special circumstances applied to a procedure performed by the provider
-The assistant should use CPT modiers for procedures performed by the provider that required documentation of special
circumstances.
A medical assistant is assisting a provider with an abdominal examination. When the provider palpates the major
portion of the liver, the assistant should recognize that he is palpating which of the following abdominal
quadrants?
-Right upper
-Right lower
-Left upper
-Left lower
Right upper
The right upper quadrant contains the major portion of the liver. It is also the quadrant that contains the gallbladder.
A medical assistant is collecting blood samples to measure a patient’s cholesterol levels. Which of the following
actions should the assistant take before collecting the patient’s blood?
-Plan to collect the specimen in the late morning.
-Make sure the patient did not eat any -food for the past 12 hr.
-Ask the patient if he has taken any medications that day.
-Ensure that the patient did not drink any water for the past 12 hr.
Make sure the patient did not eat any -food for the past 12 hr.
For some laboratory tests, including cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, proteins, and electrolytes, the patient should be in a
basal state. This means the assistant should collect the samples when the patient has not had any food for the previous 12 hr.
A medical assistant has just received a derogatory e-mail from a dissatised patient. What action should the
assistant take?
-Respond immediately with a request for a more polite message.
-Print a copy of the e-mail and forward it to the provider.
-Print the e-mail and make notes about topics to be addressed prior to formulating a response.
-Forward the e-mail to another medical assistant to review and to provide a response to the patient.
Print the e-mail and make notes about topics to be addressed prior to formulating a response.
The assistant should review the e-mail, making notes of what needs to be addressed, in order to evaluate the patient’s
concerns and develop a professional response.
Which of the following actions should the medical assistant take when obtaining the head circumference of an
infant?
-Place the infant in a prone position.
-Allow the parent or guardian to obtain the reading if it soothes the infant.
-Record the measurement to the nearest 0.6 cm (1 /4 in).
-Position the measuring tape around the head just below the infant’s ears.
Record the measurement to the nearest 0.6 cm (1 /4 in).
The assistant should record the infant’s head circumference to the nearest 0.6 cm ( / in).
Which of the following routes of administration should a medical assistant use when performing a tuberculin skin test? -Intramuscular -Intradermal -Intravenous -Subcutaneous
Intradermal
The assistant should use the intradermal route to administer a tuberculin skin test. This route of administration applies the
medication to the epidermal layer of the skin and allows for subsequent evaluation of the reaction to the tuberculin testing
agent.
A medical assistant in an emergency clinic is admitting several patients. The assistant should recognize that the
provider should see which of the following patients first?
-An adult who is a professional runner and has a heart rate of 50/min
-An older adult patient who has diabetes and has a blood pressure of 80/42 mm Hg
-An infant who is bottle fed and has a heart rate of 130/min
-An adolescent who is a gymnast and has a blood pressure of 108/64 mm Hg
An older adult patient who has diabetes and has a blood pressure of 80/42 mm Hg
Because this blood pressure reading is low, the assistant should recommend the provider see this patient rst.
A patient reports feeling depressed due to the recent loss of a partner. In which of the ve stages of the grief process does depression present itself? -First -Second -Third -Fourth
Fourth
According to the stages of grief identied by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, depression presents itself in the fourth stage
A medical assistant should understand that the chain of custody form is used for which of the following?
- Ensuring that a specimen is handled by only one administrative assistant
- Ensuring that a specimen is packaged as directed
- Ensuring that the patient receives the test results
- Ensuring that the results are sent to the provider
Ensuring that a specimen is packaged as directed
The chain custody form ensures accurate collection, transportation, and processing of a specimen
