MA test II
A medical assistant is speaking with a patient who recently received a terminal diagnosis. The patient states
"I regret not taking better care of myself. Now, I won't be able to accomplish what I wanted to do with my life." The assistant should identify that the patient is in which of the following stages of grief?,Depression (this patient is in the depression stage of grief. This stage of grief is often characterized by patient expressing regret over unfulfilled about not having taken better care of their health)
A medication container states there is 250mg of medication in each scored tablet. The provider orders 375mg. how may tablets should the medical assistant give the patient?
1.5 tablets (the assistant should recognize that 250 multiplied by 1.5 equals 375. Therefore, 1.5 tablets provides the required 375mg.)
A medical assistant should insert the needle at which of the following angles during a venipuncture?
15 angle (a medical assistant should insert the needle at a 15 angle when performing a venipuncture)
The provider orders the medical assistant to prepare a tablespoon of medication for a patient. How many milliliters of medication should the assistant draw up?
15 mL (there are 15mL per tablespoon. Therefore, the assistant should prepare 15 mL of medication).
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who weighs 72kg. what is this patient's weight in lb?
158.4 lb (to convert from kilograms to pounds, the assistant should multiple the patient's weight in kilograms by 2.2: 72kg x2.2 = 158.4. the patient's converted weight is 158.4 lb
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who is 5'7" tall which of the following is the patient's heigh in centimeters?
170 cm (when making this conversion, the assistant firs convert 5'7" 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 is caring for a 4-month-old infant who has a temperature of 100.4 oF. Which of the following is this temperature when converted to Celsius?
38o C (to convert a temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius, the assistant should subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature and multiplied by 5/9 (100.4o F-32)X5/9=38o C
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?
90 angle ( is used primarily for intramuscular injections in adult patients).
A medical assistant is cleaning countertops and other surfaces after a surgical procedure in a provider's office. which of the following disinfectants should the assistant use for this purpose?
A 1:10 bleach and water solution (this combination is the most reliable and cost-effective solution for disinfecting equipment and surfaces. It is especially effective for surfaces that have come into contact with bodily fluids that contain viruses, including HIV.)
A medical assistant is performing spirometry testing for a patient who has shortness of breath. Which of the following results of the spirometry test indicates a successful maneuver?
A fast and steady flow with no variability (an acceptable spirometry must have an expiratory flow that is fast and steady with no variability and must also be consistent with two other spirometry maneuvers)
A medical assistant is composing business correspondence using the simplified letter style. Which of the following features should the assistant use?
A subject line in all capital letters (in the simplified letter style, the subject line is in all capital letters and replaces the salutation).
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?
Abdomen ( the assistant should place the electrodes on the abdomen or thighs of a person who has a below-the-knee amputation)
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?
Ac (before meals)
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?
Airbone (Varicella zoster virus, also known as chickenpox, is spread by airborne and contract transmission. Contaminated particles can be inhaled through tiny droplets that are exhaled by the infected person.
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who has recently received a terminal diagnosis and is crying. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Allow the patient to cry (the patient should be permitted to express his emotions)
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 patint who is experiencing dyspnea and congestion (Dyspnea, or difficulty 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 in an emergency clinic is admitting several patients the assistant should recognize that the provider should see which of the following patients first?
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 first)
A medical assistant is administering eye ointment to a patient which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Apply a thin ribbon of ointment along the conjunctival sac (Ointment should applied along the conjunctival sac from the inner canthus to the outer canthus)
A medical assistant is applying a transdermal patch for a patient. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Apply the patch to a hairless area of the patient's skin (body hair can interfere wth the distribution of the medication to the skin. The lower abdomen or upper arm are good location choices to transdermal patch.
A medical assistant is performing a review of items in a clinic's inventory. How should the assistant classify dressings and bandages for inventory purposes?
As clinical supplies (the assistant should classify bandages and dressings as clinical supplies. These should be stored in a clean area protected from damage and exposure to the office environment)
A medical assistant is checking a patient's hearing using the weber test. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Ask the patient if he hears the vibration louder in one ear than the other (when performing the Weber test, the assistant should ask the patient if he hears the vibration louder in one ear than the other, the Weber test is used to determine if a patient's hearing is better in one ear than the other
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient who is going home after having extensive suturing to a laceration. Which of the following instructions should the assistant include?
Be sure to call your provider if you have a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (the assistant should be familiar with the warning signs of infection, including fever. The assistant should instruct the patient to contact the provider if he develops a fever).
A medical assistant is faxing a prescription to a patient's pharmacy which of the following actions shoud the assistant take?
Call the pharmacy to confirm receipt of the faxed prescription ( in order to guarantee that all necessary information for the patient's prescription has been correctly communicated, the assistant should call the patient's pharmacy to confirm the faxed prescription was received)
Which of the following is the largest and uppermost section of the brain?
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)
A medical assistant is reviewing laboratory results that confirm a patient has varicella zoster virus.the assistant should identify that this micro-organism causes which of the following types of infections?
Chickenpox (Varicella zoster virus can cause chickenpox or shingles)
A medical assistant should use which of the following solutions to prepare a patient's skin prior to drawing blood cultures?
Chlorhexidine (is an antiseptic agent that is used to clean skin before a blood culture draw)
Which of the following cell structures is instrumental in helping the body mobilize and secrete mucus fro the respiratory tract?
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 preparing a patient who has intermittent peripheral cyanosis for an examination by the provider. The assistant should understand that healthy perfusion of the hands and feet depends on adequate interaction between which of the following two body systems?
Circulatory and respiratory (the assistant should recognize that the respiratory system works in conjunction with the circulatory system to provide oxygen to the body).
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?
Clean the perineal area from back to front with three antiseptic towelettes. (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).
Which of the following is a step in the process of skin preparation prior to a surgical procedure?
Clean the surgical site with antiseptic ( the assistant should clean the site with antiseptic to decrease the number of micro-organisms on the skin and reduce the risk of wound contamination)
A medical assistant is administering an intramuscular immunization to a patient. Which of the following actions should the medical assistant take?
Cleanse the site in a circular motion from the center outward (The assistant should cleanse the site from the center outward before letting the site dry. This technique helps to make the center of the site as pathogen-free as possible.
A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a procedure to have a mole excised. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Cleanse the site with surgical soap and an antiseptic (the assistant is responsible for completing skin preparation of the surgical site with surgical soap and an antiseptic before the provider can perform the procedure).
A medical assistant must invert anticoagulant tubes to prevent which of the following?
Clotting (the assistant should invert the anticoagulant tubes to prevent clotting).
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?
Cluster scheduling (cluster scheduling is grouping patients who have similar conditions into specific time slots or days)
Which of the following is A medical assistant role in pulmonary function testing (PFT)
Coach the patient through the test (the role of the assistant is to coach and encourage the patient during the test)
A medical assistant is preparing a patient to have cryosurgery following an abnormal Papanicolaou; which of the following statement should the assistant make to explain the procedure?
Cryosurgery involves an extremely cold probe to freeze and kill abnormal cells. (this is an accurate description of cryosurgery, which involves a low-temperature probe to freeze tissue to destroy abnormal cells.
A medical assistant is preparing a CMS-1500 insurance claim form for a patient who was treated for a burn injury. Which of the following pieces of information is required on the form?
Current procedural terminology code (the current procedural terminology code is required on the CMS-1500. This code describes the patient's treatment based on the diagnosis).
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?
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 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?
Datebase management (The assistant should use a database management system to sort and retrieve information quickly. A database allows the assistant to track specific information and create customized applications to sort the information and create reports.
Which of the following information should the medical assistant enter into the appointment calendar when scheduling a patient for a skin rash?
Daytime phone number (the assistant should enter the patient's name, daytime telephone number, and a brief description of the purpose of the patient's visit into the appointment calendar)
The patients' bill of rights protects individuals from which of the following?
Denial of care due to the patient's age (the patients' bill of rights protects patients from being denied fair treatment or participation in research studies due to criteria such as age)
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?
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 completing a progress note using the SOAP format. Which of the following patient information should the assistant include in the assessment section?
Diagnosis (the assistant should include the patient's diagnosis in the assessment section of the progress note)
Which of the following items included on the CMS-1500 claim form should A medical assistant recognize as indicating the medical necessity of a procedure?
Diagnosis code (the assistant should recognize that a diagnosis code indicates the medical necessity for the performance of a procedure or provided treatment. Without a supported diagnosis, the provier will not receive reimbursement for the procedure.
A medical assistant is scheduling diagnostic tests for a patient's liver and pancreas. Which of the following systems is being assessed?
Digestive (the liver and pancreas are both accessory organs to the digestive system. Performing diagnostic test of these organs provides assessment data about the digestive system.
Which of the following techniques should a medical assistant use for the routine cleaning of EKG cables?
Disinfection (this is the proper technique to use when cleaning EKG cables. Disinfection is effective on surfaces that come in contact with micro-organism and will not damage EKG calbes.)
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?
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)
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 first?
Don gloves (the assistant must don gloves prior to wound care to prevent further contamination)
Which of the following is a formal authorization that identifies an individual as legally able to make decisions on behalf of a patient?
Durable power of attorney (the durable power of attorney is an authorization made by the patient that allows another person to make medical decision on behalf patient if she is unable to make the decisions for herself. This is also known as a health care proxy.
Which of the following additives should be used when performing a CBC?
EDTA (EDTA is the proper additive for hematology studies)
A medical assistant is preparing to file the paper chart for mary st. Thomas. Where should this file be placed when file along with the charts for Mary Perez
Elizabeth Saint, and John A. Thomas?,After Elizabeth saint and before john a. Thomas ( the chart of Mary St. Thomas fits alphabetically after Elizabeth Saint and before John A. Thomas because the St. should be filed as if spelled out as Saint)
A medical assistant is reviewing the medical history of a patient who regularly comes into contact with coal and wood dust. The assistant should recognize that this patient is at an increased risk for developing which of the following disorders?
Emphysema (emphysema can be caused by coming into contact with coal and wood dust, which causes damage to the alveoli in the lungs).
A medical assistant should understand that the chain of custody form Is used for which of the following?
Ensuring that a specimen is packaged as directed (the chain custody form ensures accurate collection, transportation, and processing of a specimen)
A medical assistant should identify which of the following as a characteristic of anorexia nervosa?
Excessive exercising (the assistant should identify that excessive exercise is a characteristic of the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. Other symptoms include starvation, excessive fear of gaining weight, and ritualistic eating behaviors.
A medical assistant is coding an office 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?
Expanded problem-focused history (an expanded-focused includes the systems related to the chief complaint but does not include a family or social history).
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?
Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL (this fasting blood glucose level is above the expected reference range of 70 to 130 mg/dL. The assistance should notify the provider schedule an etension of the patient's visit.
A patient reports feeling depressed due to the recent loss of a partner in which of the five stages of the grief process does depression present itself?
Fourth (according to the stages of grief identified by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross; depression presents itself in the fourth stage)
A patient who has vulvovaginal candidiasis asks a medical assistant for more information about her infection. The assistant should begin by explaining that candidiasis is which of the following types of infections?
Fungal (the assistant should recognize that candidiasis is a type of fungal infection)
A medical assistant is asked to assist a provider with an orthopedic examination. Which of the following instruments should the assistant prepare for the examination?
Goniometer (the provider uses a goniometer to measure joint movement in a single plane. This instrument is used for orthopedic examinations).
A medical assistant is monitoring an infant patient for microcephaly. Which of the following describes the anthropometric measurement that the assistant should perform?
Head circumference (microcephaly refers to an abnormally small head. Therefore, the assistant shoud measure the infant's head circumference when monitoring for microcephaly)
A medical assistant is collecting vital signs fro 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?
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 expected reference range for a 6-year old child.
A patient at an urgent care facility reports that she vomited and saw blood in the vomitus. Which of the following terms should a medical assistant use to document the patient's report?
Hematemesis (hematemesis is a term used to document blood in the patient's vomitus, the assistant should use this term to document the finding in the patient's report).
A medical assistant is preparing to assist a provider with suturing a wound which of the following items should be in the sterile field for this procedure?
Hemostat (a hemostat would be used in a suturing procedure and must be located in the sterile field)
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?
Herpes simplex type 1 (the assistant should recognize that the herpes simplex virus type 1 causes cold sores)
Which of the following cardiac procedures is within a medical assistant scope of practice and does not require a licensed technician or provider to assist or perform it?
Holter monitor application (A holter monitor is a system for recording cardiac activity for 24 hr or longer. It is within an assistant's scope of practice to place and remove a holter monitor
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?
Home health care (home health care organizations provide assistance with medications, wound care, and other services that need to be provided in a place of residence. Home health care is the most appropriate service to provide daily wound care for this patient).
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who has terminal colorectal cancer with a life expectancy of 6months 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?
Hospice can help manage your pain and comfort during the final 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)
Which of the following is a CLIA-waived laboratory test?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test (an HCG test falls under the category of low-complexity tests. This is an approved clia-waived test.
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?
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 confidentiality).
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient about lifestyle modifications to help regulate his hypertension. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates and understanding of the teaching?
I only smoke a half a pack each day, so I'll just cut it out completely (a patient who has hypertension should eliminate smoking from his lifestyle completely. The assistant should discuss smoking cessation options to help the patient with this lifestyle)
A medical assistant requests that a patient pay her insurance copayment at the time she arrives for her appointment. The patient becomes defensive and asks whys he should pay for care she has not yet received. Which of the following responses should the medical assistant make?
I understand you're concerned, so you're welcome to pay at the end of your appointment. (this response recognizes the patient's feelings and responds to them accordingly. The assistant should strive to keep open lines of communications with patients who are frustrated or angry. In this response, the assistant continues to express the need for the payment at the time of service while adjusting these requirements to meet the patients' needs and responding to her concerns.
Which of the following statements made by A medical assistant demonstrates an understanding of required patient identification techniques?
I will ask the patient to state her full name and date of birth before administering vaccines. (the joint Commission requires confirmation of patient identity through two forms of identification)
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 record any symptoms I experience in the event log (this statement indicates an understanding of the procedure. The patient should update the event log with any irregular symptoms experiences during cardiac event monitoring).
A medical assistant is caring for an infant who suddenly becomes unresponsive for unknown reasons. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (If an infant becomes unresponsive, the assistant should immediately initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 2 min prior to activating emergency response measures.
A medical assistant is administering heparing subcutaneously to a patient. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Inject the medication slowly (the assistant should insert the needle quickly, release the skin, and then slowly inject the medication).
A provider asks a medical assistant to administer oxygen to a patient who is experiencing respiratory distress. Which of the following actions should the medical assistant take when administering oxygen to the patient?
Insert the tips of the cannula into the patient's nostrils (the medical assistant should insert the tips of the cannula into the nostrils and adjust the tubes to fit the back of the patient's ears to ensure that the patient receives proper oxygen levels).
A medical assistant receives a denial of payment for a patient's cholecystectomy. The reason stated is "noncovered services." If this procedure was deemed emergency by the provider. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Instruct the patient to contact the insurer about the denial of payment (The assistant serves as an advocate on behalf the patient in terms of treatment and care. In an instance of denial of payment due to noncovered service, it is the responsibility of the patient to contact the insurer to discuss any existing disputes regarding payment).
A medical assistant is performing a fecal occult blood test using a guaiac card. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Interpret a blue color as a positive result ( the color blue on the paper indicates that there is blood in the patient's stool)
Which of the following EKG artifacts is caused by a disconnected electrode and results in the tracing going into the margins of the paper?
Interrupted baseline (interrupted baseline is caused by an electrical disconnection or a detached electrode and results in the tracing moving into the margins of the paper)
Which of the following routes of administration should a medical assistant use when performing a tuberculin skin test?
Intradermal (the assistant should use the intradermal route to administer a tuberculin skin test. This route of administration applies the medical epidermal layer of the skin and allows for subsequent evaluation of the reaction to the tuberculin testing agent.
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has anemia for an examination by the provider. Which of the following manifestation should the assistant expect to find?
Irregular heartbeat (the assistant should recognize that an irregular heartbeat, fatigue, dizziness, and pale skin are manifestations of anemia).
A medical assistant is talking with an older adult patient who has experienced several injuries at home over the past 6 months. The patient lives alone and has no family nearby. Which of the following responses should the assistant make to help ease the patient's transition to assisted living or long-term care?
It seems like it is no longer safe for you to be at home alone, let's talk about other options (the assistant is demonstrating effective communication techniques by being clear, direct, and respectful, as well as taking the patient's concern into consideration)
A medical assistant is writing a piece of professional correspondence to a consulting provider in which of the following ways should the assistant record the date on the letter?
January 1, 2020 (the assistant should write out the name of the month and follow it with the date and year).
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 find the injury?
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 needs to type a professional business letter from the office. Which of the following formats is appropriate?
Keep flush with the left margin (in block letter style, the entire text is left aligned)
A medical assistant is assisting with the examination of an older adult patient who has a curvature of the thoracic spine. Which of the following terms should the assistant use when documenting this finding in the patient's medical record?
Kyphosis (kyphosis, or humpback, is a curvature of the thoracic spine that is a common result of aging. Kyphosis can also be caused y vertebral disk problems resulting from osteoporosis (loss of bone density).
Which of the following groups of EKG leads are bipolar?
Leads I, II, and III (leads I, II, and III are three bipolar limb leads that make up Einthoven's Triangle
Which of the following items in a medical office are considered administrative office supplies?
Letterhead, envelopes, and business cards (letterhead, envelopes, business cards, stationery, copy paper, pens,and pencils are considered administrative office supplies necessary for the administration of the practice.
A patient asks A medical assistant to explain the difference between a liniment and a medicated lotion. Which of the following responses should the assistant make?
Liniments contain a higher portion of oil than medicated lotions (the assistant should recognize that liniments are made to contain a higher portion of oil than medicated lotions in order to protect cracked skin).
Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic examination?
Lithotomy (The lithotomy position is appropriate for pelvic examinations)
A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a physical examination and is helping the patient into the dorsal recumbent position. The assistant should identify that this position is described by which of the following
Lying face up, with the legs bent and feet flat on the table (the assistant should recognize that positioning the patient sitting upright, with the table at a 90 angle is Fowler's position)
A medial assistant is transcribing a prescription for magnesium sulfate into a patient's medical record. Which of the following should the assistant use to document this medication?
Magnesium sulfate (when transcribing a prescription for magnesium sulfate, the medication name should always be spelled in full).
A medical assistant is measuring a patient's blood pressure with an aneroid sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Make sure the midpoint of the patient's arm is at the level of the patient's heart (this action helps to make sure the reading is accurate. The arm should rest on a flat surface to expose the brachial artery and to help the patient feel comfortable).
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 he patient's blood?
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 is testing a patient's visual acuity using a Snellen chart. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Make sure the patient does not lean forward during the test. (if patient leans forward, the distance from the chart will be altered and the test results will be inaccurate).
A medical assistant is talking with an older adult patient who sustained a foot fracture in a fall. She reports managing most tasks at home well but has difficulty navigating with her crutches and is currently homebound. To which of the following resources should the assistant refer the patient?
Meals on Wheels (meals on wheels is a program designed to support older adult patients who are considered homebound by delivering meals daily. This is an appropriate resource for the assistant to recommend to this patient due to her homebound status
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?
Medicare (ACOs have a strong relationship with patient-centered medical homes as mandated by the center for medicare & Medicaid services intention of this relationship is to increase the quality of care for patients who have medicare health coverage).
Which of the following cell structures is the source of energy for a cell?
Mitochondria (mitochondria assist with converting energy from nutrients into a form that can be used by cells).
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who has active tuberculosis. Which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used during the patient's care?
N95 respirator the assistant should use airborne precautions, which involves using an N95 respirator, when caring for a patient who has active tuberculosis.
Which of the following dressings should a medical assistant use on a partial-thickness burn?
Nonadherent dressing (The assistant should use a nonadherent dressing on a partial-thickness burn. This type of dressing allows the wound to be exposed to air and heal.
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who has a body mass index (BMI) of 23. This patient should be categorized as which of the following?
Normal weight (A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is within the normal weight range for a healthy adult).
Which of the following documents indicates how a patient's medical records will be used and disclosed by a medical office?
Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) (an NPP details how a patient's medical records will be used and disclosed by a medical office.
The laboratory report on a patient indicates a hemoglobin level of 7 g/dl. Which of the following is the first action for the medical assistant to take
Notify the provider (because the results indicate a critically low level of hemoglobin, the assistant should notify the provider).
A medical assistan notices that the medical office is not providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff. Which of the following regulatory agencies should the assistant contact?
OSHA (OSHA regulates workplace safety. The assistant should contact OSHA to report a violation regarding PPE)
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?
OSHA Form 301 (the assistant should recognize that the OSHA Form 301 is an incident report used when reporting details about a work-related injury).
A medical assistant is scheduling a patient for an outpatient procedure. Which of the following actions should the assistant take first?
Obtain an oral or written order from the provider for the procedure (the assistant must first obtain an oral or written order for the procedure before taking other actions)
A medical assistant is entering patient date into an electronic medical record (EMR) system. Which of the following information should be entered into the patient demographics section of the EMR?
Occupation (a patient's occupation is demographic information).
Where should a medical assistant place the electrode for lead V5
On left anterior axillary line, horizontal to V4 (this is the proper placement for lead V5)
A medical assistant is classifying services that a patient requires. The assistant should identify which of the following as an ancillary diagnostic service?
Pathology (ancillary diagnostic services, such as pathology and radiology, provide confirmation of patient diagnoses)
A medical assistant works at an urgent care center that uses open hours scheduling. Which of the following describes this form of scheduling?
Patients arrive at their convenience and are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis (this describes open hours scheduling).
A medical assistant is encouraging a patient to increase her intake of insoluble fiber to help prevent constipation and hemorrhoids. Which of the following foods should the assistant recommend as the best source of insoluble fiber?
Pears with skin (a medium pear with skin contains 4 g of insoluble fiber per serving)
A medical assistant should follow chain of custody guidelines for which of the following types of laboratory results?
Percentage testing (chain of custody guidelines apply to drug screens, forensic studies, blood alcohol levels, and parentage testing)
A medical assistant is administering an injection and the patient faints. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Place the patient in a supine-position (the assistant should place the patient in a supine position to allow the patient's legs to be raised above the level of his heart
A medical assistant is obtaining a blood pressure measurement from an adult patient. Which of the following actions should the assistant take to ensure an accurate reading?
Place the stethoscope's diaphragm over the patient's palpated artery ( the assistant should place the diaphragm of the stethoscope over the patient's brachial artery and then apply pressure. Applying pressure directly over the artery will allow the assistant to obtain a more accurate reading).
A medical assistant is reinforcing instructions with a patient about how to take a buccal tablet. Which of the following instructions should the assistant give the patient?
Place the tablet between your gums and cheek ( the assistant should instruct the patient to place the buccal tablet between his gums and his cheek a buccal tablet acts faster than oral tablets because it does not need to pass through the gastrointestinal tract to be absorbed)
Which of the following actions should a medical assistant take when obtaining the length of an infant during a well-child visit?
Position the infant on his back. (the assistant should place the infant on his back on an examination table with a paper cover, and then draw a line on the paper at the infant's head and a line at the heel of the extended legs.
Which of the following laboratory results should the medical assistant recognize is abnormal?
Potassium 3 mEq/L (This potassium level is below the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L),
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?
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)
A medical assistant has just received a derogatory e-mail from a dissatisfied patient. What action should the assistant take?
Print the e-mail and make notes about topics to be addressed prior to formulating a respons. (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 professional response.
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?
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).
Which of the following tests is granted waived status under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
Rapid strep test (the rapid strep test is granted waived status under CLIA)
Which of the following actions should the medical assistant tke when obtaining the head circumference of an infant?
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 (1/4 in).
A medical assistant receives a call from a patient requesting a refill for fentanyl patches for chronic pain which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Refer the patient's request to the provider (The assistant should recognize fentanyl as a Schedule II drug that requires a written prescription from the provider. The first step when reviewing a refill request is to contact the provider)
A medical assistant observes a hematoma developing at the site of a venous blood draw. The assistant should do which of the following?
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 collecting a health history from an older adult patient who exhibit moderate hearing loss. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Remain within the patient's view to allow lip-reading (remaining within the patients view allows for lip-reading and association of facial expressions with verbal communication .this technique promotes successful communication with patients who exhibit moderate hearing loss.)
Which of the following methods is used to notify a provider of the denial of a claim by an insurance carrier?
Remittance advice (a remittance advice document itemizes all paid, denied, and allowable charges for a patient. This document notifies the provider of any and all claim denials)
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient about pulse oximetry. Which of the following statements should the assistant include in the teaching?
Remove your nail polish before the test (the is a light on the oximetry probe that measures a patient's pulse and oxygen saturation. Nail polish can affect the reading if it interferes with the light.)
A primary care provider suspects that a patient has fibromyalgia. A medical assistant should expect the provider to refer the patient to which of the following specialists?
Rheumatologist (a rheumatologist specializes in treating patients who have diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones, including fibromyalgia).
Which of the following positions should a medical assistant place an 18-month patient when administering ear drops to the right ear?
Right ear facing up with the earlobe pulled down and back (when administering ear drops to a child under the age of 3 years, the patient should be positioned with the ear facing up and the earlobe pulled down and back to allow predication to flow into the canal and reach the affected area).
A medical assistant is assisting a provider with an abdominal examination. When the provider papates the major portion of the liver the assistant should recognize that he is palpating which of the following abdominal quadrants?
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 responsible for cleaning the instruments used in a minor surgery. Which of the following is the first step in this process?
Sanitization (sanitization is the first 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 provider has requested a dissecting instrument on a sterile tray that a medical assistant is preparing which of the following instruments should the assistant include on the tray?
Scissors (scissors are considered cutting and dissecting instruments because they include a sharp blade or surface that can cut, dissect, or scrape.
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has congestive heart failure (CHF) for examination by the provider. Which of the following manifestations should the assistant expect?
Shortness of breath (expected manifestations of CHF include shortness of breath, fatigue, and edema
In which of the following positions should A medical assistant place a healthy patient for a rectal examination?
Sims' ( the sims' position is appropriate for a rectal examination)
A medical assistant is preparing a patient for an enema. In which of the following positions should the assistance place the patient for this procedure?
Sims' position (sims' position is used for rectal examinations, rectal instillations, and some pelvic examinations. An enema is a rectal instillation).
Where do cardiac electrical impulses originate in the heart?
Sinoatrial node (impulses are initiated in the sinoatrial node and are then conducted to the atrioventricular node).
Which of the following medical record documentation templates is organized by the entity that supplied the data?
Source-oriented ( source-oriented documentation is organized by the entity that supplied the data).
A medical assistant is collecting information from a patient who reports persistent pain in the left upper quadrant. The assistant should note that this area contains which of the following organs?
Stomach (the assistant should recognize that the stomach is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen).
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 off the following locations when using the SOAP approach to organizing medical records?
Subjective (subjective date includes patient symptoms, non-measurable data, and patient statements. Therefore, the patient's report of headaches from reading from a computer screen would be documented in the subjective (s) section of the record)
Which of the following instructions should a medical assistant give to a patient when administering an enteric-coated tablet?
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water (enteric-coated tablets should not be crushed, chewed, or dissolved. The tablets need to arrive in the small intestines whole)
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who is experiencing chills nausea, and dizziness. The patient's face appear pale. The assistant should recognize that the patient is exhibiting manifestations of which of the following medical emergencies?
Syncope (the assistant should recognize that syncope is usually caused by a sudden loss of blood flow to the brain. The patient can experience chills, nausea, dizziness, and numbness in the extremities. A pale appearance is also a common manifestation.
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 should be place downward to reduce tension and pulling on the electrodes)
When coding with the ICD-10-CM where should the medical assistant begin the process of looking up a diagnosis code for breast cancer?
The Alphabetic Index (the ICD-10-CM) contains the alphabetic, or Alpha Index of diseases, conditions, and related terms)
A patient contacts the facility to report a burn injury to her right arm. A medical assistant should identify which of the following pieces of information as necessary when screening for a possible emergency situation?
The cause of the patient's burn (the assistant should ask screening questions based on the injury itself. Determining where the burn is located and that caused it are critical pieces of information when screening for a possible emergency situation)
In which of the following locations should a medical assistant place the electrode for lead V4?
The fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line (this is the correct location to place electrode V4)
An adolescents is covered by two insurance policies under her divorced parents who have birthdays in May and august. Which policy is the primary policy for the adolescent?
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 also known as the birthday rule).
A patient calls the clinic to cancel a postoperative appointment and states that she will reschedule at a later date for which of the following reasons should the medical assistant document this information on the patient's chart?
To prove that the office was not negligent (documenting this information is a legal responsibility and covers the clinic for liability. Because the patient said she would reschedule, this communication breaks the pyscicia-patient contract and places responsibility for any postoperative care issues on the patient, not the provider.
A medical assistant is assisting a provider with the repair of a laceration on a patients head. The provider's prescription for the procedure includes an injection of 10 mL of lidocaine with epinephrine. The assistant should recognize that which of the following is the purpose of epinephrine in the local anesthetic?
To reduce bleeding at the site ( the assistant should recognize that epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor, its inclusion in the anesthetic reduces bleeding and prolongs the anesthetic's effects. Reducing the bleeding makes it easier for the provider to see the laceration during the repair).
Which of the following should a medical assistant identify as the purpose of a category II code in procedural coding?
Tracks provider performance measures (a category II code is used to track provider performance measures, such as preventive care for cancer disorders and substance use treatments plans)
Which of the following parenteral medication routes should a medical assistant administer for a slow release of medication into the blood stream?
Transdermal (transdermal patches are infused with medication that is slowly absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream)
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?
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 use of a tool designed for maintaining medication compliance is within the assistant's scope of practice.
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?
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 patient arrives at the clinic with a tick bite on his leg. The providers asks a medical assistant to help remove the tick. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Use tweezers to pull the tick away from the skin slowly (the assistant should grasp the tick with tweezers near the head and pull it away from the patient's skin slowly and steadily)
A medical assistant is contacting a patient to schedule a repeat Papanicolaou test due to abnormal results. The assistant should identify that which of the following factors can interfere with the test results?
Using an over-the-counter vaginal cream prior to the test (a patient should avoid using over-the-counter vaginal creams prior to the test)
A medical assistant is performing a 12-leas EKG on a patient. Which of the following electrodes should the assistant place to the left of the sternum at the fourth intercostal space?
V2 (the assistant should place the V2 precordial electrode to the left of the sternum at the fourth intercostal space).
A medical assistant should identify that which of the following vitamins is fat soluble?
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 has a blood pressure cuff inflated and partially opens the valve to deflate as he listens with a stethoscope. When should he read the diastolic pressure?
When the sound disappears (The assistant should measure the patient's diastolic pressure when the sound disappears, also known as the korotkoff V sound).
Which of the following pieces of legislation keeps health care staff safe from retaliation by their employers when they report cases of patient neglect and abuse?
Whistleblower Protection Act ( protects employees from retaliation when reporting suspected unsafe activities in the workplace)
A medical assistant is reviewing discharge information with a patient who is postoperative following cryosurgery to the cervix. Which of the following statements should the assistant include?
You may experience a watery discharge for up to 1 week after your procedure (the assistant should tell the patient to expect to experience a watery discharge that can last up to 1 week following the cryosurgery procedure).
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 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 medical assistant is determining the amount a patient will be required to pay for a schedule procedure that has an allowable amount of $200. The patient has a $20 copayment
a 90/10 coinsurance, and has met his deductible. What is the total amount the patient will pay the provider for this procedure?,$40 (the paitent's deductible has been met and the patient's coinsurance is 90/10. The patient's responsibility of coinsurance is 10% of $200, which is $20, plus the copayment of $20. Therefore, the patient should pay a total of $40.
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?,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)
When choosing a diagnosis code
a medical assistant should consider which of the following actions in order to avoid an insurance denial?,Coding to the highest level of specificity (coding to the highest level of specificity ensures that the third-party payer is receiving the most specific diagnostic code. If a less specific code is used, the claim can be denied due to a pending request for further information.
When assisting a provider with a vaginal examination and Papanicolaou (Pap) test
a medical assistant should identify that which of the following instruments is necessary?,Cytobrush (this instrument is necessary because the provier uses the cytobrush for obtaining a specimen for a pap test).
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?,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 the prescription entry.
A patient is seen in an urgent care center for a laceration to the left foot. The provider evaluates the injury determines sutures are not needed
applies a dressing, and releases the patient. Which of the following levels of examination should a medical assistant use for the procedural coding for this visit?,Problem-focused examinations (are limited to the single body area or system mentioned in the chief complaint)
A patient tells A medical assistant that his provider's office is incompetent
as there is no improvement in his condition. Which of the following is an appropriate response for the assistant to make?,I think that you feel that your treatment is not effective ( this response validates the patient's feelings. This also allows the assistant to restate the patient's words in order to verify an understanding of what is being communicated)
A medical assistant is monitoring a patient during a stress test. The patient becomes increasingly short of breath and tachycardic. Abnormalities appear in his EKG rhythm. Which of the following actions should the assistant take first?
discontinue the test (the assistant should stop the test and immediately notify the provider. Shortness of breath, tachycardia, and abnormalities in an EKG rhythm are all indications of an impending cardiac event).
In which of the following scenarios should a medical assistant choose a CPT modifier?
for special circumstances applied to a procedure performed by the provider ( the assistant shoud use CPT modifiers for procedures performed by the provider that required documentation of special circumstances)
Which of the following organs is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen?
gallbladder (the gallbladder is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. The right upper quadrant includes the gallbladder, the right love of the liver, and the duodenum).
A medical assistant is cleaning an examination room after assisting a provider with a biopsy. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
holds sharps by the blunt end to avoid a needle stick injury ( the assistant should hold sharps by the blunt end to avoid an injury)
Which of the following terms describes the body's internal adaptation and change to keep body functions in balance?
homeostasis (Homeostasis is the body's internal adaptation and change to keep the body functions within balance).
A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a physical examination when he notices that the patient's eyes are moving back and forth in a constant
involuntary manner. Which of the following terms shoud the assistant use when documenting this finding in the patient's medical record?,Nystagmus (nystagmus is the constant involuntary movement of the eyes ina circular, vertical, or horizontal pattern. Nystagmus can be caused by brain injury or by the adverse effects of medications.
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 flat surface (the assistant should place the medicine cup on a flat surface at eye level and pour the medication to the prescribed dose mark)
A medical assistant at a facility receives a call from a patient who is requesting the total cost of a surgical procedure. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the assistant?
provide the patient with an estimated cost for the procedure (the assistant has the responsibility to provide an estimate of the cost of a surgical procedure to the patient over the phone or in person this total cost includes the combined costs of the procedure itself, the cost of the laboratory and radiography results, and any other additional fees associated with the procedure).
Which of the following statements made by a new medical assistant
regarding an artifact, demonstrates a need for further teaching?,Electrical interference on the EKG is not caused by cell phone ( this statement demonstrates a need for further teaching because cell phone can be a cause of electrical interference on the EKG)
A patient reports getting a bill that includes services she did not receive. Which of the following actions should a medical assistant take to reconcile these charges?
review that day's encounter forms to determine if another patient received the services (the purpose of the encounter form is to account for current charges, payments, and balances for each patient. The assistant can review these documents to determine that the patient was seen on the indicated date of service and what services the patient received
a patient presents to an office for treatment. After reading the consent form
she expresses concerns about the treatment. Who is responsible for counseling the patient?,Provider (provider is the only one of these personnel who can practice medicine and give medical advice)
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?,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 caring for a patient who has come in contact with concrete debris. Upon inspection of the eye
the assistant sees debris on the surface of the sclera. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?,Irrigate the eye starting at the inner canthus and flowing to the outer canthus (when removing debris from the patient's eye, the assistant should irrigate the eye beginning at the inner canthus and allowing the solution to flow to the outer canthus. This allows the debris to move away from the cornea and decreases the chance of causing further injury to the patient's eye).
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has psoriasis to be examined by the provider. When inspecting the patient's skin lesions
the assistant should expect to observe which of the following characteristics?,Silvery, scaly (Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by pink or red lesions, with scaly patches that have a silvery appearance)
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?,Movement ( the patient's movement can alter results in the pulse measurement because of possible change in heart rate. If the patient is moving the pulse measurement, the assistant might receive an erroneous result.
The medical assistant drops an instrument of the floor while setting up a sterile tray for a procedure. He picks up the instrument and places it back on the sterile fireld. A few days after the procedure
the patient calls the office, concerned that the area surrounding the procedure site is infected. Which of the following torts has the assistant committed?,Negligence (medical negligence, also known as malpractice, is a tort in which a medical professional did not perform an essential action or performed improper one, resulting in harm to a patient. The assistant's failure to maintain a sterile field was a negligent act, resulting in the patients infection.)
A medical assistant is reporting a patient fall that occurred in the front lobby of the clinic. What is the purpose of the assistant preparing an incident report?
to avoid future reoccurrences (the purpose of an incident report is to provide documentation and information about an incident or potential risk to help the facility and staff avoid reoccurrences in the future).
A medical assistant is administering cough syrup to a patient. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
view the medication cup at eye level when pouring (the assistant should view the medication cup at eye level when pouring. Holding the cup below eye level can result in the assistant pouring too much syrup into the medication cup)
Which of the following types of appointment systems allows flexibility to allow for the most consistent patient flow?
wave scheduling (wave scheduling organizes patients in the first 30 min of the hour to allow for patients who are early, patients who are late, and patients who do not show up for appointments. All patients scheduled for that hour are seen within that hour).
To provider culturally competent care
which of the following actions should a medical assistant take first when encountering patients?,Examine personal religious and cultural values and beliefs to identify any biases ( the first step the assistant should take when providing culturally competent care is to understand his own individual beliefs and value system).
When speaking with a patient who has moderate hearing loss and reads lips
which of the following actions should a medical assistant take to aid in communication with the patient?,use hand gestures (using hand gestures when speaking can assist in the communication process with a patient who reads lips).
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 (in order to obain the most accurate reading, the assistant should count the respirations without the patient being aware that his breathing being assessed. The patient can easily control or alter breathing patterns when he is conscious that the assistant is paying attention to his respirations.
After a patient leaves an examination room
which of the following actions should a medical assistant take to prepare the examination table for the next patient?,Roll up the disposable paper on the table tightly and quickly (rolling the paper tightly minimizes the transmission of any contaminants on the paper. The assistant should dispose of the paper quickly place it in a biohazardous waste container if it is wet or soiled).
A medical assistant is preparing to dispose of bandages that have been removed from a patient's open would per OSHA guidelines
which of the following actions should the assistant plan to take?,Place the bandages in a red biohazard bag. (OSHA requires all biohazardous waste, such as bandages from an open wound, be placed in a red polyethylene or polypropylene bag that is sealed to prevent leakage)
When performing the palpatory method for obtaining blood pressure
which of the following indicates the level at which the medical assistant should inflate the cuff?,30 mm Hg above the radial pulse cessation (the palpatory method requires the assistant to inflate the cuff 30 mm Hg above the cessation of the radial pulse).
For a 12-lead EKG
which of the following is the correct placement for the V4 electrode?,At the fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line (this is the correct placement of electrode V4)
When assigning a CPT code
which of the following is the purpose of a modifier?,Provides additional information or circumstances for a procedure (a CPT code modifier adds a higher level of specificity to a procedure code by providing additional information and circumstances related to the procedure. Some examples include modifiers that indicate the patient's physical status, the anatomical location for the procedure, and the use of anesthesia)
According to the regulation of controlled substances
which of the following is true of a Schedule I drug?,Have no accepted medical use (Schedule I drugs have been deemed to have a highpotential for abuse, are unavailable for prescription refills, are not available OTC and are not accepted for medical use. Possession of these drugs is illegal.
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 ( scabies requires contact precautions; therefore, the assistant should wear gloves and gown. Other patient conditions that required precautions include hepatitis A, rotavirus, and herpes zoster (shingles).
According to OSHA's guidelines for proper waste disposal
which of the following shoud a medical assistant place in a regular waste container?,An empty urine container (the assistant should place an empty urine container in a regular trash container, unless there is visible blood present).
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 (the assistant is responsible for receiving and preparing tissue specimens obtained from a punch biopsy for processing by the laboratory)
When removing sutures
why is it important for A medical assistant to place the removed sutures on a gauze pad?,To determine the number of sutures removed (the assistant should place removed sutures on a gauze pad an count them to determine the number of sutures removed and compare it to the number of sutures placed. Sutures that are left in place can cause an infection.
A medical assistant is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection for a patient. Which of the following needle sizes should the assistant choose?
½ to 5/8 inch needle, 25 gauge ( the assistant should select this needle size for a subcutaneous injection. The assistant should use a ½ to 5/8 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 allows low viscosity medications to be inserted through a smaller hole and allows for minimal tissue damage.