AAMA Practice exam (www.aama-ntl.org)

Which of the following is a structural, fibrous protein found in the dermis? (A) Collagen (B) Heparin (C) Lipocyte (D) Melanin (E) Sebum

(A) Collagen

Calcium, potassium, and sodium are classified as which of the following? (A) Androgens (B) Catecholamines (C) Electrolytes (D) Estrogens (E) Prostaglandins

(C) Electrolytes

Which of the following best describes a nucleus cell? (A) Lymphocyte (B) Monocyte (C) Erythrocyte (D) Basophil (E) Neutrophil

(C) Erythrocyte

Colporrhaphy is the repair of which of the following? (A) Bladder (B) Intestines (C) Spleen (D) Uterus (E) Vagina

(E) Vagina

Which of the following suffixes refers to eating? (A) "phagia" (B) "phasia" (C) "phonia" (D) "plegia" (E) "praxia"

(A) "phagia"

The patient's complaint of painful menstrual periods will be documented in the medical record as which of the following? (A) Amenorrhea (B) Dysmenorrhea (C) Menorrhagia (D) Menorrhea (E) Metrorrhagia

(B) Dysmenorrhea

Which of the following conditions is characterized by incompetence of the esophageal sphincter? (A) Crohn's disease (B) Esophageal varices (C) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (D) Pyloric stenosis (E) Stomatitis

(C) Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Which of the following suffixes means "cutting operation"? (A) -ectomy (B) -plasty (C) -scopy (D) -stomy (E) -tomy

(E) -tomy

The prefix pertaining to fingernail is which of the following terms? (A) Odont- (B) Olfact- (C) Omphal- (D) Onco- (E) Onych-

(E) Onych-

Which of the following terms refers to the ability to breathe comfortably only when in an upright position? (A) Apnea (B) Dyspnea (C) Eupnea (D) Hypercapnia (E) Orthopnea

(E) Orthopnea

Patients with which of the following diseases are treated with injections of vitamin B-12? (A) Bell's palsy (B) Crohn's disease (C) Diabetes mellitus (D) Graves' disease (E) Pernicious anemia

(E) Pernicious anemia

"K" is the chemical symbol for which of the following substances? (A) Barium (B) Calcium (C) Iron (D) Hydrogen (E) Potassium

(E) Potassium

Which of the following cavities are separated by the diaphragm? (A) Abdominal and pelvic (B) Cranial and spinal (C) Dorsal and ventral (D) Pericardial and pleural (E) Thoracic and abdominal

(E) Thoracic and abdominal

Which of the following is the term for reconstruction of the eardrum? (A) Myringotomy (B) Otoplasty (C) Stapedectomy (D) Tympanocentesis (E) Tympanoplasty

(E) Tympanoplasty

A cystoscope is an instrument used most commonly by a specialist in which of the following? (A) Endocrinology (B) Gastroenterology (C) Gynecology (D) Radiology (E) Urology

(E) Urology

Which of the following best describes the location where the carotid pulse can be found? (A) In front of the ears and just above eye level (B) In the antecubital space (C) In the middle of the groin (D) On the anterior side of the neck (E) On the medial aspect of the wrist

(D) On the anterior side of the neck

Which of the following is an accessory organ of the gastrointestinal system that is responsible for secreting insulin? (A) Adrenal gland (B) Gallbladder (C) Liver (D) Pancreas (E) Spleen

(D) Pancreas

The prefix "brady-" means which of the following? (A) Away from (B) Downward (C) Irregular (D) Slow (E) Without

(D) Slow

Which of the following is the plural form of the medical term that means chest? (A) Alveoli (B) Apices (C) Calyces (D) Pleurae (E) Thoraces

(E) Thoraces

Which of the following allows air to pass into the lungs? (A) Aorta (B) Esophagus (C) Heart (D) Pancreas (E) Trachea

(E) Trachea

Which of the following allows gas exchange in the lungs? (A) Alveoli (B) Bronchi (C) Bronchioles (D) Capillaries (E) Pleurae

(A) Alveoli

Which of the following terms refers to pain? (A) Arthralgia (B) Diplopia (C) Dysplasia (D) Hemiplegia (E) Urticaria

(A) Arthralgia

Which of the following substances is found in greater quantity in exhaled air? (A) Carbon dioxide (B) Carbon monoxide (C) Nitrogen (D) Oxygen (E) Ozone

(A) Carbon dioxide

Polydipsia, polyuria, good appetite with weight loss, and blurred vision are signs and symptoms of which of the following conditions? (A) Diabetes mellitus (B) Gout (C) Hypothyroidism (D) Marasmus (E) Polyposis coli

(A) Diabetes mellitus

Adipose tissue is made of which of the following? (A) Fat cells (B) Lymph nodes (C) Muscles (D) Skin (E) Tendons

(A) Fat cells

Saliva contains an enzyme that acts upon which of the following nutrients? (A) Starches (B) Proteins (C) Fats (D) Minerals (E) Vitamins

(A) Starches

A patient scheduled for echoencephalography will undergo a study of which of the following? (A) Abdomen (B) Brain (C) Heart (D) Lungs (E) Spine

(B) Brain

Fertilization of an ovum by a spermatozoon occurs in which of the following structures? (A) Cervix (B) Fallopian tube (C) Ovary (D) Uterus (E) Vagina

(B) Fallopian tube

Which of the following is the chemical symbol for iron? (A) F (B) Fe (C) Fr (D) I (E) Ir

(B) Fe

Which of the following is the large bone found superior to the patella and inferior to the ischium? (A) Calcaneus (B) Femur (C) Symphysis pubis (D) Tibia (E) Ulna

(B) Femur

A pyloromyotomy is performed in which of the following body systems? (A) Cardiovascular (B) Gastrointestinal (C) Musculoskeletal (D) Nervous (E) Reproductive

(B) Gastrointestinal

Which of the following describes the cluster of blood capillaries found in each nephron in the kidney? (A) Afferent arteriole (B) Glomerulus (C) Loop of Henle (D) Renal pelvis (E) Renal tubule

(B) Glomerulus

The combining form "cephal/o" refers to which of the following? (A) Abdomen (B) Head (C) Neck (D) Ribs (E) Spine

(B) Head

Which of the following medical terms is spelled CORRECTLY? (A) Albumine (B) Hemorrhoid (C) Larinx (D) Opthalmology (E) Amenorrhia

(B) Hemorrhoid

Which of the following physicians specializes in treating patients with diseases of the liver? (A) Hematologist (B) Hepatologist (C) Nephrologist (D) Oncologist (E) Rheumatologist

(B) Hepatologist

Which of the following controls body temperature, sleep, and appetite? (A) Adrenal glands (B) Hypothalamus (C) Pancreas (D) Thalamus (E) Thyroid gland

(B) Hypothalamus

Which of the following is an incision made to enlarge the opening of the external urethra? (A) Cystotomy (B) Meatotomy (C) Nephrostomy (D) Pyelostomy (E) Ureterotomy

(B) Meatotomy

Which of the following best describes the human body's defense mechanism against environmental bacteria? (A) Hair in the nose (B) Mucous membranes (C) Osteoblasts (D) Saliva (E) Tears

(B) Mucous membranes

Which of the following terms is used to describe a lateral curvature of the spine? (A) Kyphosis (B) Scoliosis (C) Osteoporosis (D) Lordosis (E) Stenosis

(B) Scoliosis

The anatomic location of the spinal canal is (A) caudal (B) dorsal (C) frontal (D) transverse (E) ventral

(B) dorsal

Which of the following spellings is CORRECT? (A) Abecess (B) Abces (C) Abscess (D) Abscus (E) Absess

(C) Abscess

Which of the following is the CORRECT spelling for the plural of bronchus? (A) Bronchuses (B) Bronchii (C) Bronchi (D) Bronchae (E) Broncha

(C) Bronchi

Which of the following procedures is indicated when an abnormal growth is identified on barium enema X-ray study? (A) Arthroscopy (B) Bronchoscopy (C) Colonoscopy (D) Cystoscopy (E) Colposcopy

(C) Colonoscopy

Which of the following terms is used to describe a condition in which the body produces too much cortisol? (A) Gigantism (B) Myxedema (C) Cushing's syndrome (D) Diabetes insipidus (E) Grave's Disease

(C) Cushing's syndrome

Which of the following terms describes the motion of bending the forearm toward the body? (A) Abduction (B) Eversion (C) Flexion (D) Pronation (E) Supination

(C) Flexion

Which of the following is the definition for aphagia? (A) Extreme thirst (B) Inability to hear (C) Inability to swallow (D) Loss of hair (E) Pain free

(C) Inability to swallow

Which of the following is the term for an abnormally low white blood cell count? (A) Anemia (B) Leukemia (C) Leukocytosis (D) Leukopenia (E) Leukoplakia

(D) Leukopenia

Which of the following is a surgical procedure in which a pendulous breast is lifted and fixed to the chest wall? (A) Mastostomy (B) Mastotomy (C) Mastectomy (D) Mastopexy (E) Mesopexy

(D) Mastopexy

Which of the following is a disorder characterized by uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the day? (A) Dyslexia (B) Epilepsy (C) Hydrocephalus (D) Narcolepsy (E) Shingles

(D) Narcolepsy

Which of the following is the master gland of the endocrine system? (A) Adrenal (B) Pancreas (C) Pineal (D) Pituitary (E) Thyroid

(D) Pituitary

Which of the following is a nonsterile procedure? (A) Amniocentesis (B) Cystoscopy (C) Peritoneal dialysis (D) Proctosigmoidoscopy (E) Renal biopsy

(D) Proctosigmoidoscopy

The thoracic cage is a structural unit important for which of the following functions? (A) Alimentation (B) Menstruation (C) Mentation (D) Respiration (E) Urination

(D) Respiration

Which of the following is the lymphoid organ that is a reservoir for red blood cells and filters organisms from the blood? (A) Appendix (B) Gallbladder (C) Pancreas (D) Spleen (E) Thymus

(D) Spleen

Which of the following is the point at which an impulse is transmitted from one neuron to another neuron? (A) Dendrite (B) Glial cell (C) Nerve center (D) Synapse (E) Terminal plate

(D) Synapse

Menarche refers to which of the following? (A) Beginning of menstruation (B) Development of female characteristics (C) End of childhood (D) End of pregnancy (E) Primary infertility

(A) Beginning of menstruation

Which of the following is a substance that aids the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles? (A) Acetylcholine (B) Cholecystokinin (C) Deoxyribose (D) Oxytocin (E) Prolactin

(A) Acetylcholine

Which of the following best describes the structure that collects urine in the body? (A) Bladder (B) Kidney (C) Ureter (D) Urethra (E) Urethral meatus

(A) Bladder

A patient has a fracture in which the radius is bent but not displaced, and the skin is intact. This type of fracture is known as which of the following? (A) Closed, greenstick (B) Complex, comminuted (C) Compound, transverse (D) Open, spiral (E) Simple, pathologic

(A) Closed, greenstick

Which of the following anatomical regions of abdomen lies just distal to the sternum? (A) Epigastric (B) Hypochondriac (C) Hypogastric (D) Lumbar (E) Umbilical

(A) Epigastric

Which of the following is the CORRECT spelling for the focusing ability of the eye? (A) Accomedation (B) Accommodation (C) Acomodation (D) Acommodation (E) Acommedation

(B) Accommodation

Which of the following is a procedure in which synovial fluid is removed for analysis? (A) Apheresis (B) Arthrocentesis (C) Arthrography (D) Arthroscopy (E) Articulation

(B) Arthrocentesis

Which of the following are mucus-producing glands located on each side of the vaginal opening? (A) Adrenal (B) Bartholin's (C) Bulbourethral (D) Corpus luteum (E) Parotid

(B) Bartholin's

Which of the following words is MISSPELLED? (A) Adenopathy (B) Basaphil (C) Edematous (D) Hemopoiesis (E) Myeloid

(B) Basaphil

The general meaning of "corpus" is best described by which of the following? (A) Abdomen (B) Body (C) Chest (D) Head (E) Trunk

(B) Body

Which of the following is flexible connective tissue that is attached to bones at the joints? (A) Adipose (B) Cartilage (C) Epithelial (D) Muscle (E) Nerve

(B) Cartilage

Which of the following is the body cavity that contains the pituitary gland? (A) Abdominal (B) Cranial (C) Pleural (D) Spinal (E) Thoracic

(B) Cranial

Korotkoff sounds are evaluated by which of the following procedures? (A) Counting the apical heartbeat (B) Determining the blood pressure (C) Performing ultrasonography (D) Counting the respirations (E) Evaluating the pulse

(B) Determining the blood pressure

At which of the following locations does bile enter the digestive tract? (A) Gastroesophageal sphincter (B) Duodenum (C) Ileocecum (D) Jejunum (E) Pyloric sphincter

(B) Duodenum

Which of the following closes and seals off the lower airway during swallowing? (A) Alveoli (B) Epiglottis (C) Larynx (D) Uvula (E) Vocal cords

(B) Epiglottis

Dysphonia is a common symptom of which of the following conditions? (A) Iritis (B) Laryngitis (C) Pneumonitis (D) Rhinitis (E) Stomatitis

(B) Laryngitis

The physician directs the medical assistant to complete a request form for an X-ray study of the fibula. The procedure will be performed on which of the following structures? (A) Heel (B) Lower leg (C) Toes (D) Thigh (E) Pelvis

(B) Lower leg

If the foot is abducted, it is moved in which direction? (A) Inward (B) Outward (C) Upward (D) Downward

(B) Outward

In men, which of the following structures is located at the neck of the bladder and surrounds the urethra? (A) Epididymis (B) Prostate (C) Scrotum (D) Seminal vesicle (E) Vas deferens

(B) Prostate

The term "lithiasis" is best described by which of the following? (A) Constriction of tissue (B) Dissolving (C) Abnormal condition of stones (D) Penetrating a cavity (E) Stretching of tissue

(C) Abnormal condition of stones

Which of the following is the term for abnormally large breasts in men? (A) Gynander (B) Gynecomania (C) Gynecomastia (D) Gynephobia (E) Gynoplastics

(C) Gynecomastia

Inflammation of a sweat gland is known as which of the following terms? (A) Colitis (B) Fasciitis (C) Hidradenitis (D) Pimelitis (E) Rhinitis

(C) Hidradenitis

Which of the following terms describes surgical fixation of the uterus in a suspended position? (A) Hysterectomy (B) Hysterodesis (C) Hysteropexy (D) Hysteroscopy (E) Hysterotripsy

(C) Hysteropexy

Which of the following structures is part of the small intestine? (A) Ascending colon (B) Cecum (C) Ileum (D) Sigmoid colon (E) Transverse colon

(C) Ileum

Which of the following organs removes bilirubin from the blood, manufactures plasma proteins, and is involved with the production of prothrombin and fibrinogen? (A) Gallbladder (B) Kidney (C) Liver (D) Spleen (E) Stomach

(C) Liver

Which of the following conditions is characterized by the presence of kidney stones (renal calculi)? (A) Glomerulonephritis (B) Interstitial nephritis (C) Nephrolithiasis (D) Polycystic kidney (E) Pyelonephritis

(C) Nephrolithiasis

A patient with encephalitis is most likely to be treated by which of the following specialists? (A) Endocrinologist (B) Hematologist (C) Neurologist (D) Oncologist (E) Radiologist

(C) Neurologist

Which of the following cranial nerves is related to the sense of smell? (A) Abducens (B) Hypoglossal (C) Olfactory (D) Trochlear (E) Vagus

(C) Olfactory

Which of the following branches of medicine specializes in the study of the musculoskeletal system? (A) Gynecology (B) Nephrology (C) Orthopedics (D) Pediatrics (E) Urology

(C) Orthopedics

Which of the following best describes the process whereby the stomach muscles contract to propel food through the digestive tract? (A) Absorption (B) Emulsion (C) Peristalsis (D) Regurgitation (E) Secretion

(C) Peristalsis

Blood flows from the right ventricle of the heart into which of the following structures? (A) Inferior vena cava (B) Left ventricle (C) Pulmonary arteries (D) Pulmonary veins (E) Right atrium

(C) Pulmonary arteries

Which of the following is the medical term for hair loss? (A) Folliculitis (B) Eczema (C) Pediculosis (D) Alopecia (E) Impetigo

(D) Alopecia

An area of dead myocardial tissue is best described by which of the following? (A) Angina pectoris (B) Hypertrophy (C) An induration (D) An infarct (E) Stenosis

(D) An infarct

A patient who has hypergonadism, prolactinoma, and hirsutism will most likely be referred to which of the following specialists? (A) Immunologist (B) Pathologist (C) Rheumatologist (D) Endocrinologist (E) Gerontologist

(D) Endocrinologist

The prefix meaning outside or outer is which of the following? (A) Ana- (B) Dia- (C) Epi- (D) Exo- (E) Peri-

(D) Exo-

Which of the following terms describes the body's ability to maintain its normal state? (A) Anabolism (B) Catabolism (C) Tolerance (D) Homeostasis (E) Metabolism

(D) Homeostasis

In which of the following positions does a patient lie face down? (A) Dorsal (B) Erect (C) Lateral (D) Prone (E) Supine

(D) Prone

Oxygenated blood is carried to the heart by which of the following structures? (A) Aorta (B) Carotid arteries (C) Inferior vena cava (D) Pulmonary veins (E) Superior vena cava

(D) Pulmonary veins

Male hormones are produced by which of the following? (A) Glans penis (B) Prepuce (C) Prostate (D) Testes (E) Vas deferens

(D) Testes

Which of the following are round bacteria that grow in pairs? (A) Streptococci (B) Diplococci (C) Bacilli (D) Spirilla (E) Staphylococci

(B) Diplococci

Where is the sinoatrial node located? (A) Between the left atrium and the left ventricle (B) Between the right atrium and the right ventricle (C) In the interventricular septum (D) In the upper wall of the left ventricle (E) In the upper wall of the right atrium

(E) In the upper wall of the right atrium

Which of the following is a malignant tumor of the eye that is known to be hereditary? (A) Glioblastoma (B) Neuroblastoma (C) Osteosarcoma (D) Pheochromocytoma (E) Retinoblastoma

(E) Retinoblastoma

Which of the following terms means drainage from the nose? (A) Rhinolalia (B) Rhinomycosis (C) Rhinophyma (D) Rhinorrhaphy (E) Rhinorrhea

(E) Rhinorrhea

A patient sustains severe blunt trauma to the left upper abdomen and requires surgery. Which one of the following organs is most likely to be involved? (A) Appendix (B) Gallbladder (C) Pancreas (D) Urinary bladder (E) Spleen

(E) Spleen

Which of the following is located beneath the diaphragm in the left upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity? (A) Appendix (B) Duodenum (C) Gallbladder (D) Pancreas (E) Spleen

(E) Spleen

In men, specimens for gonococcal cultures are most commonly obtained from which of the following structures? (A) Anus (B) Bladder (C) Skin (D) Testicle (E) Urethra

(E) Urethra