AMCA Practice Exam #2

which of the following reasons led to the creation of the states' Medical Practice Acts? a. the need to determine the methods and requirements of physician licensure b. the need to protect all health-care professionals reports both STDs and child/elderly abuse c. the need to regulate serious issues of drug use and abuse d. the need to ensure medical facility access to all people

a. the need to determine the methods and requirements of physician licensure

Which of the following statements is FALSE? a. the physician-patient relationship is legally recognized when the patient arrives at the office for treatment b. consent is a mutual agreement between legally capable parties when an offer is made and accepted c. expressed contracts are between 2 parties and may be verbal written d. implied contracts are the result of a provider treating a patient

a. the physician-patient relationship is legally recognized when the patient arrives at the office for tratment

what is the most important step in achieving medical asepsis? a. washing hands b. using surgical soap to scrub hands c. cleaning patient examination rooms with disinfectant d. placing soiled linens in an appropriate bag as soon as possible

a. washing hands

you are employed at an OB/GYN practice. the physician has confirmed a suspected pregnancy of one of your husband's family relatives. the relative nervously lets you know that no one else knows about this office visit. what is the most appropriate response? a. "if someone asks i'll only tell them you had an office appointment" b. "be assured in knowing that I don't discuss or share any patient information outside of the office" c. "trust me, i'll only tell my husband" d. "this is such happy news, it should be shared"

b. "be assured in knowing that I don't discuss or share any patient information outside of the office"

What is the universal standard speed for recording an ECG? a. 20 mm/second b. 25 mm/second c. 30 mm/second d. 35 mm/second

b. 25 mm/second

Never leave a tourniquet on the arm for longer than how many seconds? a. 45 seconds b. 60 seconds c. 90 seconds d. 120 seconds

b. 60 seconds

a medical office's policy regarding the length of time for retaining patient files should be based on which of the following laws? a. Patient Self-Determination Act b. Statute of limitations c. Fair Credit Billing Act d. Medical Practice Act

b. Statute of limitations

which envelope address is typed according to the U.S. Postal Service preferred format? a. Tolland, Connecticut 06084 b. TOLLAND, CONNECTICUT 06084 c. TOLL. Ct 06084 d. TOLLAND CT 06084

d. TOLLAND CT 06084

The physician-patient relationship is considered which type of legal relationship? a. an alliance b. a partnership c. a professional association d. a contract

d. a contract

vacuum tubes used in venipuncture have different color tops in order to differentiate which of the following? a. tube quantity levels b. tubes sizes c. preferred collection methods d. additives that may be within

d. additives that may be within

what does civil law include? a. torts b. implied contracts c. medical malpractice d. all of these answers

d. all of these answers

what is the term for an injury to another person as a result of failure to act when duty is indicated? a. feasance b. maldeasance c. misfeasance d. nonfeasance

d. nonfeasance

what is the pacemaker of the heart? a. (SA) sinoatrial node b. (LB) left bundle branch c. (BH) bundle of His d. (AV) atrioventricular node

a. (SA) sinoatrial node

what angle should your needle position be in to perform venipuncture? a. 15º angle with the bevel up b. 15º angle with the bevel down c. 20º angle with the bevel down d. 35º angle with the bevel up

a. 15º angle with the bevel up

which needle gauge will result in less blood cell damage during venipuncture collection? a. 16-gauge b. 18-gauge c. 20-gauge d. 21-gauge

a. 16-gauge

in order to have the best therapeutic communication, what should the medical assistant do? a. accept each patient's particular attributes b. overlook educational differences c. ignore language barriers d. use local area street slang to address the patient

a. accept each patient's particular attributes

which of the following terms is NOT one of the five Cs, or components, of communication? a. consistent b. clear c. cohesive d. concise

a. consistent

any breached federal or state laws are considered which type of offense? a. criminal acts b. misdemeanors c. torts d. civil wrongs

a. criminal acts

initiating and responding in a calm professional manner when communicating with others is known as which of the following? a. diplomacy b. diversity c. flexibility d. empathy

a. diplomacy

in the examination room, the patient tells you the reason for the office visit. which of the following terms defines the best response from you that will promote positive communication? a. feedback b. encoding c. input d. process

a. feedback

what is the principal reason for bracing the hand holding the needle assembly against the patient's arm during phlebotomy? a. prevent excess needle movement b. ease vein palpation c. decrease the possibility of hemolysis d. cause the evaluation tubes to fill more quickly

a. prevent excess needle movement

which of the following concepts typically define ethics? a. principles of right and wrong b. legal actions to civil wrongs c. practical actions to taken d. guidelines for occupation professionalism

a. principles of right and wrong

what is the term for an employee who is considered to be acting on the on the doctor's behalf while performing professional tasks? a. respondeat superior b. subpoena duces tecum c. malfeasance d. res ipsa loquitur

a. respondeat superior

slander is defamation through which type of act? a. spoken statements that damage someone's reputation b. written statements that damage someone's reputation c. Res ipsa loquitur d. improper performance of an act

a. spoken statements that damage someone's reputation

a patient agrees to and signs a written payment plan because of the high cost of cosmetic surgery. the payments are to be for 7 months and 7 installments of $95. what is the legislative act that gives the requirements for the written payment plan? a. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act b. Truth in Lending Act c. Patient Self-Determination Act d. Medical Practice Act

b. Truth in Lending Act

what can you do to lower the risk of bruising after venipuncture? a. apply a heating pad to the puncture site and have the patient bend his or her arm to keep it in place b. apply pressure to the puncture site c. keep the tourniquet in place for one full minute the procedure d. wipe the puncture site with an alcohol wipe

b. apply pressure to the puncture site

Which of the following commonly used disinfectants is used in the medical field and found to be effective against bloodborne pathogens? a. radiation b. bleach c. dry heat d. ethylene oxide

b. bleach

while performing a venipuncture, you notice that a hematoma is forming. which of the following should you NOT do? a. remove the touniquet b. complete the collection of the specimen c. remove the vacuum tube and needle d. apply the pressure to the site

b. complete the collection of the specimen

what does privileged communication refer to? a. arbitration b. confidentiality c. an affidavit d. allied health professionals

b. confidentiality

A medical assistant suspects a young patient is the victim of child abuse; signs of abuse are also the finding of the examining physician. What should the medical assistant and physician do? a. speak to parent/guardian about their suspicions and document the encounter b. document findings in the medical record and report it to the proper authorities c. not document these suspicions in the chart because the abuse should first be ruled out d. ask the parent/guardian to give explanations and document the encounter

b. document findings in the medical record and report it to the proper authorities

which of the following actions is a roadblock to therapeutic communication? a. asking closed-ended questions b. giving advice c. taking notes d. paraphrasing

b. giving advice

Which of the following solutions will help prevent the transmission of hepatitis? a. Fluconazole b. household bleach c. hydrogen peroxide d. isopropyl alcohol

b. household bleach

What is the purpose of performing a specific gravity on a urine sample? a. it determines whether the patient's diet is high in fat b. it measures the density when compared to distilled water c. screens for glucomerulonephritis d. it detects the presence of nitrate in the urine

b. it measures the density when compared to distilled water

What is the principal purpose of a living will? a. give family members permission to make medical care decisions for the patient b. let caregivers know the patient's wants with regard to lifesaving measures c. give a physician authority to make life-sustaining measures for a patient d. keep a patient alive by whatever measures are necessary

b. let caregivers know the patient's wants with regard to lifesaving measures

a routine analysis of urine is made up of which of the following sets of examination? a. visual, culture, reagent b. microscopic, chemical, physical c. microscopic, reagent, chemical d. microscopic, analytic, chemical

b. microscopic, chemical, physical

which of the following is the foundation for developing good listening skills? a. sitting with someone's personal space b. paraphrasing c. moderate and clear vocal tone d. taking notes

b. paraphrasing

which of the following examples of disposed venipuncture equipment and supplies is INCORRECT? a. placing used gauze and cotton balls in biohazard container b. placing the plastic venipuncture needle cover in a biohazard container c. placing the used needle and holder together into a puncture-proof container d. placing a used alcohol wipe in wastebasket

b. placing the plastic venipuncture needle cover in a biohazard container

what is the term for the relaxing phase of the cardiac cycle? a. systole b. repolarization c. polarization d. bradychardia

b. repolarization

where is the most common micropuncture site on an adult a. outer heel b. ring finger c. ear lobe d. little finger

b. ring finger

Urine needs to be collected in which type of container if it collected for bacterial culture? a. freshly disinfected b. sterile c. washed and diluted d. glass

b. sterile

a bacteriological culture needs to be performed on a collected urine specimen. which of the following instructions best describes what your patient should do? a. collect a midday specimen in a sterile cup b. void a specimen midstream in a sterile cup c. collect a 24-hour specimen d. void the entire specimen in a sterile cup

b. void a specimen midstream in a sterile cup

one complete heartbeat, known as a full cardiac cycle, lasts approximately how long? a. 0.28 seconds b. 0.6 seconds c. 0.8 seconds d. 1.8 seconds

c. 0.8 seconds

which organization developed the guidelines for universal precautions? a. EPA b. FDA c. CDC d. OSHA

c. CDC

To detect pregnancy, either urine or blood serum is tested for the presence of which of the following? a. febrile agglutinations b. potassium oxalate c. HCG hormone d. oxytocin

c. HCG hormone

which of the following situations would present a civil rather than a criminal liability for a physician? a. a physician in medical practice treats patients without a valid license b. a physician falsifies medical records for a worker's compensation case c. a surgeon performs knee replacement on the wrong knee d. a physician is accused of substance abuse while on the jon

c. a surgeon performs knee replacement on the wrong knee

If a physician simply decided to stop providing care for his or her noncompliant patient without following the appropriate legal steps, the patient could file a lawsuit against the physician on which of the following grounds? a. quid pro quo b. malfeasance c. abandonment d. res ipsa loquitur

c. abandonment

what is the purpose of the plastic collection tube holder? a. prevent blood leakage before needle withdrawal b. prevent blood specimen contamination c. aid insertion and withdrawal of blood vacuum tubes d. protect against accidental needle punctures

c. aid insertion and withdrawal of blood vacuum tubes

A urine specimen was collected and then left standing for more than 1 hour. bacteria grew, and the pH of the urine became which of the following? a. highly acidic b. slightly acidic c. alkaline d. neutral

c. alkaline

of all the following options, which does NOT need to be proven in order to prove negligence against a physician? a. dereliction of duty directly resulted in patient injury b. under the involved circumstances, there was no compliance with the duty required c. dereliction of duty indirectly caused more than 1 injury to the patient d. duty was owed to the patient

c. dereliction of duty indirectly caused more than 1 injury to the patient

when a reagent strip is used to test a urine specimen and the result is positive for ketones, this may be an indication of which condition? a. hypercalcemia b. poisoning c. diabetes mellitus d. liver damage

c. diabetes mellitus

professional negligence in medicine must be proven by presented evidence of which four combined elements? a. malpractice, illfeasance, damages, dereliction of duty b. malpractice, misfeasance, feasance, duty c. duty to the patient, dereliction of duty, direct cause, damages d. an illegal act, dereliction of duty, malfeasance, damages

c. duty to the patient, dereliction of duty, direct cause, damages

responsibility for the actions of a medical assistant falls first to whom? a. medical assistant, if nationally certified as an RMA or a CMA b. Medical assistant's clinical or administrative supervisor c. employer/physician d. medical office manager

c. employer/ physician

which of the following responses is NOT a true statement about ethics? a. ethics comprises are principles of right and wring conduct b. ethics comprises self-imposed standards of conduct c. ethics comprises formal actions of a legislative body d. ethics relates to morals and moral judgments

c. ethics comprises formal actions of a legislative body

if you have an appointment scheduled for a patient who speaks english as a second language, which communication technique would be the most effective at the time of their visit to your office? a. making eye contact b. communicating everything in writing c. having an interpreter present d. using nonverbal communication

c. having an interpreter present

After you have washed your hands, put on PPE, and assembled the equipment and supplies, what is your next step in obtaining capillary blood sample? a. perform the capillary puncture b. cleans the puncture site with an alcohol wipe c. identify the patient d. ask the patient whether they are left handed or right handed

c. identify the patient

when would a capillary blood sample be diluted with tissue fluid? a. if it is immersed in cool water b. if the first drop is discarded c. if the finger is squeezed excessively d. if the sides of the finger are gently rubbed

c. if the finger is squeezed excessively

Which color-topped evacuation tube is most commonly associated with hematology testing? a. green b. red c. lavender d. light blue

c. lavender

which of the following concepts refers to the principles of conduct that are required by legislative enactments? a. morals b. professionalism c. laws d. ethics

c. laws

While telephoning patients to confirm their appointments for the next day, a patient states that he or she is cancelling the appointment. What should you NOT do? a. note the cancellation in their medical record b. note the cancellation in the appointment record c. Leave a phone message for the physician, so he or she can call them later d. ask how they are currently feeling

c. leave a phone message for the physician, so he or she can call them later

what is the term for the measure of the degree of acidity or alkalinity of urine? a. specific gravity b. routine urinalysis c. pH d. supernatant

c. pH

Which of the following is the most appropriate method for disposing of contaminated needles? a. insert in the biohazard container located in the office lab b. place in a biohazard container without recapping c. place it in a biohazard sharps container located in the room where used d. disengage the needle from the syringe, and then dispose of it in the biohazard sharps container

c. place it in a biohazard sharps container located in the room where used

what color-topped vacuum tube is used to collect specimens for tests requiring serum? a. light blue b. gray c. red d. green

c. red

which of the following demonstrates positive communication skill? a. ignoring a patient's anger b. giving advice to the patient although they may not have asked for it c. responding to the patient's stated problem by saying "let's discuss it" d. telling an unhappy patient to "cheer up; things will get better"

c. responding to the patient's stated problem by saying "let's discuss it"

What form of medical practice may have personal property attached in case of business failure and earns all of the profit when the business succeeds? a. profit sharing corporation b. partnership with limits c. sole proprietorship d. specialty group

c. sole proprietorship

to prevent a urine specimen from becoming an unreliable pH sample, the specimen should be handled in which manner? a. always refrigerated immediately upon collection b. exposed to air for slightly more than 1 hour c. tested within 1 hour of collection d. allowed time for the urea to convert to ammonia in order to decrease the pH

c. tested within 1 hour of collection

Medical record copies may be released to any one of the following, EXCEPT whom? a. the patient, with physician permission b. the attorney representing the patient, if subpoenaed and released by patient c. the husband or wife of the patient d. the physician the patient is being referred to

c. the husband or wife of the patient

what is the primary purpose for anchoring a vein in performing a venipuncture? a. to keep the patient comfortable b. to keep the patient from moving c. to prevent it from rolling d. to prevent it from collapsing

c. to prevent it from rolling

When a patient formally gives a loved one durable power of attorney for health-care matters, at what point does this legal document become active? a. when the patient signed the document b. when the patient's physician is notified of the document's existence c. when the patient can no longer make competent medical decisions d. when the patient has been placed in a nursing home

c. when the patient can no longer make competent medical decisions

What is the usual size of the needle being used when performing a venipuncture? a. 1/2 inch 23 gauge b. 1/2 inch 27 gauge c. 1 inch 24 gauge d. 1.5 inch 21 gauge

d. 1.5 inch 21 gauge

what is the pH range for normal urine? a. 0 to 9.0 b. 2.5 to 4.5 c. 2.5 to 7.0 d. 4.5 to 8.0

d. 4.5 to 8.0

a breach of confidentiality is considered unethical and illegal and is prohibited by which of the following? a. OSHA b. Civil Rights Act c. Standard of Care d. HIPAA

d. HIPAA

Which of the following on an ECG reflects ventricular heart depolarization? a. T wave b. U wave c. P-R interval d. QRS wave

d. QRS wave

According to OSHA, medical personnel must wear PPE (personal protective equipment) when they have contact with which of the following? a. sweat b. skin c. tears d. blood

d. blood

the courts mandate that the physician uphold the "standard of care" in practice. This means the physician is required to provide what kind of care? a. the highest degree possible under the circumstances b. comparable to all other physicians of the same specialty anywhere c. comparable to all given circumstances d. comparable to reasonable, attentive, diligent physicians of the same education, same specialty, and practicing in the same or similar geographic area

d. comparable to reasonable, attentive, diligent physicians of the same education, same specialty, and practicing in the same or similar geographic area

A patient's unreasonable conduct resulted in injury to himself, and he has filed a claim of medical malpractice against his physician. what is the term for the finding for when/if the court determines the patient to be fully or partially at fault? a. malfeasance b. quid pro qup c. nonfeasance d. contributory negligence

d. contributory negligence

How often should quality control tests be done for procedures performed in the office? a. yearly b. every 6 months c. monthly d. daily

d. daily

If a patient were to sue a physician for dereliction of duty, what would the patient have to prove regarding the actions of the physician? a. had breached confidentiality b. did not carry malpractice insurance c. lacked empathy for the patient d. did not conform to the acceptable standard of care

d. did not conform to the acceptable standard of care

When placing a urine specimen tube into the centrifuge for later creating a wet mount, where should you place an identical tube containing water in that same centrifuge? a. a second tube is not required b. right beside the tube containing the specimen c. at a 90º angle from the urine specimen tube d. directly opposite the tube containing the urine specimen

d. directly opposite the tube containing the urine specimen

the Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees which of the following rights for the physically impaired? a. equal pay for like positions b. health insurance for full-time employees c. vacation pay d. ease in physical access to the workplace

d. ease in physical access to the workplace

the privacy rule is in place to protect which of the following? a. all medical billing b. specialists in the field of medical law c. the considerations of cultural belief d. electronic transfer of information

d. electronic transfer of information

how would a medical provider can avoid patient abandonment? a. giving verbal notice of withdrawal from an established patient b. declaring the patient to be indigent c. mailing the patient a copy of the borrowed servant doctrine d. giving formal notice of withdrawal from the established patient

d. giving formal notice of withdrawal from the established patient

to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the body's cells, what do erythrocytes need? a. bilirubin b. nitrates c. hematocrite d. hemoglobin

d. hemoglobin

According to the law, which statement is FALSE regarding financial responsibilities for patients? a. a husband may be held responsible for his wife's treatment charges b. a wife is not always responsible for her husband's treatment charges c. a father is responsible for his minor children's debts d. if a mother refuses to pay for her treatments, her adult son is responsible for payment

d. if a mother refuses to pay for her treatments, her adult son is responsible for payment

verbally divulging information about a patient to someone not directly involved in the patient's care is an example of which improper conduct? a. libel b. misfeasance c. defamation d. invasion of privacy

d. invasion of privacy

what is the legal term for committing an improper act that is legally unjustified and possibly harmful to another? a. nonfeasance b. negligence c. Res ipsa loquitur d. Malfeasance

d. malfeasance

What are bioethics concerned with? a. criminal actions that deal with life and health care b. in vitro fertilization c. genetic engineering d. moral controversy over biomedical technology

d. moral controversy over biomedical technology

Any breach by medical office staff of patient confidentiality may result in which of the following charges? a. malfeasance b. assault c. malpractice d. negligence

d. negligence

which of the following steps listed is NOT appropriate when performing a capillary puncture? a. gently rubbing the side of the finger b. discarding the first drop of blood c. selecting the ring finger of the hand d. placing a tourniquet around the finger

d. placing a tourniquet around the finger

What is the legal term for the confidential information exchanged in a physician and patient relationship? a. classified b. professional c. Res ipa loquitur d. priveleged

d. priveleged

what is libel? a. action intended to deceive another person b. verbal statements made about another person that are malicious and/or false c. ruining someone's good reputation by spreading verbal rumors d. statements written or pictures about another person that are intended to be cruel and damaging to a person's reputation

d. statement's written or pictures about another person that are intended to be cruel and damaging to a person's reputation

If a patient normally drinks ten or more 8-0z glasses of water each day, urine would most likely be which color? a. brown b. red c. dark yellow d. straw

d. straw

when questioned about a patient's appointment at your office by that patient's aunt, the medical assistant's most appropriate response would be which of the following? a. tell her to mind her own business b. ask her if her niece has confided anything about her health to her c. ignore her inquiry d. tell her it is your duty to protect the privacy of your office's patients and you hope she understands

d. tell her it is your duty to protect the privacy of your office's patients and you hope she understands

the occurrence of malpractice lawsuits is directly related to which factor? a. the yearly income of the patient b. the level of the patient's education c. the socioeconomic status of the patient d. the level of trust in the physician-patient relationship

d. the level of trust in the physician-patient relationship

To comply with HIPAA, a medical office must always furnish what information to a new patient to be seen for treatment? a. a copy of each staff member's malpractice insurance policy b. certifications and licensure documents of medical staff c. office policy manual d. the provision of privacy practices document

d. the provision of privacy practices document

If you are mailing information that is meant to be "CONFIDENTIAL," where should the notation be typed on the envelope? a. below the stamp b. to the right of the adressee's name c. below the mailing address d. three lines below the return address

d. three lines below the return address

which of the following is NOT a reason to perform a hemoglobin? a. to aid in determining blood loss b. to detect anemia c. to monitor dehydration d. to detect inflammation

d. to detect inflammation

All of the following demonstrate quality control. what is the exception? a. proper documentation b. testing with control samples c. calibrating equipment d. treating every customer properly

d. treating every customer properly

a set up for venipuncture should always include extras of which of the following? a. blood pressure cuffs b. sharps containers c. tourniquets d. vacuum tubes

d. vacuum tubes

Which of the following is a possible factir that may influence when the onset period of time for the statute of limitations on a negligent action resulting in an injury begins? a. the date of the patient's last treatment b. when the final payment for services is made c. when the plaintiff files a suit for the injury d. when the injury is discovered

d. when the injury is discovered

Which color on a vacuum tube top indicates that the blood specimen will be used for cultures? a. red b. blue c. light blue d. yellow

d. yellow