NHA: Medical Assistant(CCMA) Certification Practice Test 2.0 A

A medical assistant is cleaning an examination room after assisting a provider with a biopsy.which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Hold sharps by the blunt end to avoid a needlestick injury. The assistant should hold sharps by the blunt end to avoid an injury.

A medical assistant is using a butterfly needle set to obtain a blood sample from a vein in a patient's hand. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Hold the needle by its wings. Holding the butterfly needle by its wings helps the assistant control the needle.

A medical assistant is administering heparin 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.

Which of the following actions should a medical assistant take to verify the quality of venipuncture supplies before beginning a blood draw?

Inspect the integrity of the needles seal. Inspecting the needle's seal helps ensure the sterility of the needle.

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.

Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic exam?

Lithotomy The lithotomy position is appropriate for pelvic examinations.

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 maneuver must have an expiratory flow that is fast and steady with no variability and must also be consistent with two other spirometry maneuvers.

Which of the following types of written correspondence can be signed by medical assistant?

A notification letter to a patient about surgery arrangements. An assistant can sign a notification letter to a patient about surgery and medical facility arrangements.

A medical assistant should use which of the following solutions to prepare a patient's skin prior to drawing blood cultures?

Chlorhexidine 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 from 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 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 or illness.

Which of the following techniques should a medical assistant use to confirm a patient's understanding of insulin administration?

Observe the patient as she performs a self-demonstration. Having the patient physically demonstrate her understanding of insulin administration allows the assistant to evaluate her comprehension.

Where should a medical assistant place the electrode for lead V5?

On the left anterior axillary line, horizontal to V4. This is the proper placement for lead V5.

Which of the following is outside of a medical assistant's scope of practice?

Order additional laboratory tests to confirm the patient's condition. It is outside of a medical assistant's scope of practice to order additional laboratory tests without a provider's prescription.

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.

Medical assistant is speaking with a patient who has seasonal allergies. Which of the following healthcare providers should assistant identify as being able to make a diagnosis and initiate the necessary treatment?

Physician assistant As a licensed health care provider, a physician assistant is able to manage patient care, make a diagnosis, and initiate treatment, which includes writing prescriptions for medication.

A medical assistant is responsible for cleaning the instruments used in a minor surgery. Which of the following is the first step in the 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 reinforcing teaching with a patient about the use and care of a transdermal patch. Which of the following instructions should the assistant include in the teaching?

Select a different application location for each new patch. The assistant should instruct the patient to rotate the location of application for each new patch to help avoid skin irritation. Areas of excess body hair and scaring should be avoided in order to maximize medication absorption.

A medical assistant is collecting a urine specimen from a patient for a drug screening. Which of the following actions should the assistant take to adhere to the chain of custody for this specimen?

Send the specimen to the testing laboratory on the same day as the collection. The assistant should send the specimen and completed requisition to the testing laboratory on the same day as the collection.

A medical assistant needs to remove all living microorganisms from a contaminated towel clamp. Which of the following methods should the assistant use to cleanse this instrument?

Sterilization Sterilization destroys all microbial life, including bacterial spores, through physical or chemical methods. This is the method the assistant should use to cleanse the towel clamp.

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 The Whistleblower Protection Act protects employees from retaliation when reporting suspected unsafe activities in the workplace.

Which of the following cell structures is the source of energy for cell?

mitochondria Mitochondria assist with converting energy from nutrients into a form that can be used by cells.

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 receives a telephone call from a patient who seems anxious about the results of a test. Which of the following responses should the assistant make?

"I know you are concerned about your test results. We'll call you as soon as your results come in." This response shows empathy and active listening skills on the part of the assistant, which communicates to the patient that the assistant recognizes his emotions. Empathy allows the assistant to validate the patient's emotions without becoming unprofessional and losing objectivity. This response is an example of an appropriate way to communicate with the patient.

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 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 he experiences during cardiac event monitoring.

A medical assistant is explaining a venipuncture procedure to a patient. Which of the following statements should the assistant make?

"I'll be collecting a blood sample from you today. There will be a small stick in your arm." This statement offers the patient sufficient information about the venipuncture procedure.

A medical assistant is reviewing a provider's instructions as the patient is preparing to leave the office. The provider recommends that the patient purchase an over-the-counter antitussive, but the patient tells the assistant that she does not know what an antitussive is. Which of the following responses should the assistant make?

"It is a medication that suppresses the cough reflex." An antitussive suppresses the cough reflex. One of the active ingredients used in antitussive medications is dextromethorphan.

A patient asks a medical assistant to explain the difference between a liniment and a medical 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 dry and cracked skin.

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 you or 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 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 first-time patient is late arriving to the office. Which of the following should the medical assistant say first?

"hello welcome to our office" The assistant should greet and welcome the patient before checking him in, making appointments, or checking on a bill.

A medical assistant is determining the amount a patient will be required to pay for a scheduled procedure that has an allowable amount of $200. The patient has a 90/10 coinsurance and has met his deductible. What is the total amount the patient will pay the provider for this procedure?

$20 The patient'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. Therefore, the patient should pay a total of $20.

A medical assistant is measuring the vital signs of an adult patient. The assistant should identify which of the following blood pressure readings a stage two hypertension?

150/95mm Hg The assistant should identify that a blood pressure value of 150/95 mm Hg indicates stage 2 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is indicated by a systolic pressure of greater than 140 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure of greater than 90 mm Hg.

A medical assistant is caring for a patient who is 5'7" tall. Which of the following is the patient's height in centimeters?

170 cm When making this conversion, the assistant should first convert 5' 7'' to 67 inches. Next, the assistant should convert inches to centimeters by multiplying by 2.54. The result is 170.18 cm, which rounds to 170 cm.

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.

A medical assistant is caring for a 4 month old infant who has a temperature of 100.4 Fahrenheit. Which of the following is the temperature when converted to Celsius?

38 C To convert a temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius, the assistant should subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature and multiply the result by 5/9: (100.4° F - 32) x 5/9 = 38° C.

A medical assistant is preparing 1 g/kg of activated charcoal for a patient who weighs 176 lb. How many grams of charcoal should the assistant prepare?

79g To convert from lb to kg, multiply 176 lb by 0.45. The correct answer is 79.2, which is rounded to 79. Since the preparation of activated charcoal is 1 g/kg, the ratio of grams of activated charcoal to the patient's weight in kg should be 1:1. Therefore, the amount of activated charcoal the assistant should prepare is 79 g.

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 A 90° angle is used primarily for intramuscular injections in adult patients.

A medical assistant is assisting a patient who is obese with an insulin injection. Which of the following is the correct angle for this patient's injection.

90 degrees Subcutaneous injections are generally administered at a 45° angle. However, for a patient who is obese, the subcutaneous injection should be administered at a 90° angle.

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 to apply ointment to several abrasions on a patient's leg. Which of the following supplies at the medical assistant use to remove the medication from the jar?

A tongue blade After removing the wrapping, the assistant should use a tongue blade to remove the correct amount of ointment from the jar and spread it on the patient's abrasion.

A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has bilateral below the knee amputations for an EKG. Which of the following sites should 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 The abbreviation "ac" means "before meals."

In medical system is reviewing a Medicare claim denial. The assistant determines that there are charges that exceed the usual, customary, and reasonable fees. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Adjust the patient's account to reflect no unpaid charges and write off the balance. According to Medicare guidelines, the fee schedule must follow the usual, customary, and reasonable requirements for repayment. The charges on the patient's account should be written off.

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 mode of transmission?

Airborne Varicella zoster virus, also known as chickenpox, is spread by airborne and contact transmission. Contaminated particles can be inhaled through tiny droplets that are exhaled by the infected person.

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 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 be applied along the conjunctival sac from the inner canthus to the outer canthus.

A medical assistant is performing a review of items in a clinics 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 in an outpatient facility is preparing for a venipuncture. Which of the following actions should the assistant take to confirm the patient's identity?

Ask the patient to state and spell their full name and provide their date of birth. Acceptable identifiers include the patient's name and date of birth. The patient should state and spell their full name as well as provide their date of birth. When the patient provides this information, the assistant should compare it with the name and date of birth on the requisition form and labels.

A patient request a female provider to perform her examination due to a religious conviction. A female provider is not available. Which of the following is the appropriate response by the medical assistant?

Assist the patient in locating a provider to accommodate the patient's needs. The medical assistant should make every effort to accommodate the patient's religious convictions.

According to OSHA guidelines for universal precautions, which of the following types of patient contact would require a medical assistant to work gloves, a mask, face shield, and protective apparel?

Assisting a provider with the removal of a cyst. OSHA designates assisting with minor surgical procedures as a Category I task, which means the assistant is at risk for exposure to blood, bodily fluids, body tissues, and the possibility of splashes and spills. These tasks require an assistant to wear complete personal protective equipment.

A medical assistant is preparing sterilization for hemostats before an invasive procedure. Which of the following techniques shit Assistant use?

Autoclave The assistant should use an autoclave to sterilize the hemostats. Instruments that penetrate skin or tissue should be sterilized by an autoclave, which uses wet heat and is effective against spores.

When should the code on glucose cuvettes be compared to the code on the glucometer?

Before a patient is test Coding should be checked every time the glucometer is used to check a patient's glucose levels in order to ensure the most accurate results.

Which of the following laboratory valves should a medical assistant immediately report to a patient's provider?

Blood glucose 500 mg/dL This blood glucose level is higher than the expected reference range of 70 to 110 mg/dL.

A patient loses consciousness. The EKG reveals ventricular fibrillation. Which of the following actions should a medical assistant take first?

Call for help and begin CPR ​According to the American Heart Association's resuscitation guidelines, the assistant should call for help and perform CPR immediately after witnessing a cardiac arrest.

A medical assistant is faxing a prescription to a patients pharmacy. Which of the following actions should 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.

When using a centrifuge, a medical assistant must do which of the following to ensure safety and accuracy?

Cap the tubes to avoid emission of aerosols. The assistant should ensure the tubes are capped to prevent the emission of aerosols.

A medical assistant is measuring a patient's oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Check capillary refill in the patients finger. If capillary refill is adequate, the assistant should apply the sensor to the patient's finger. If not, an earlobe or the nose should provide an accurate measurement.

A medical assistant is preparing a patient who had 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 administering an intramuscular immunization to a patient. What is 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.

The 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's 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 community resource library. Which of the following actions should the assistant take first?

Compile a list of local community agencies. The first step the assistant should take is to research, identify, and create a list of available local community resources and services.

Which of the following steps for a finger stick should a medical assistant complete first?

Confirm the correct identity of the patient. The assistant should confirm the patient's identity before preparing for the fingerstick procedure.

A medical assistant is entering a new prescription into a patient's electronica medical record. While entering the prescription, and alert notifying this is another 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 prescription entry.

When measuring a patients respiratory rate, which of the following actions should a medical assistant take to ensure an accurate reading?

Count the respiration's while the patient thinks his pulse is being obtained. In order to obtain the most accurate reading, the assistant should count the respirations without the patient being aware that his breathing is being assessed. The patient can easily control or alter breathing patterns when he is conscious that the assistant is paying attention to his respirations.

A medical assistant is 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 assistance to sort, retrieve, and combine information for this report?

Database 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.

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 patients expressing regret over unfulfilled goals or about not having taken better care of their health.

Which of the following items included on the CMS-1500 claim form should a medical assistant recognize as indicating the medical necessary 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 provider 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 tests on these organs provides assessment data about the digestive system.

Which of the following techniques should a medical system is 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-organisms and will not damage EKG cables.

When completing documentation in a patient's paper medical record, a medical assistant realize that 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.

A medical assistant is disposing of the syringe and needle she used to inject a seasonal influenza vaccine. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Drop the syringe, needle first into the biohazardous sharps container. The assistant should drop the whole syringe and needle into the container. The assistant should not push the syringe and needle into the sharps container because it could result in a needlestick injury from other sharps in the container.

Which of the following terms should a medical assistant use to tell a provider that a patient is having discomfort and difficulty breathing?

Dyspnea Dyspnea is a term used to indicate that a patient is experiencing difficult or painful breathing.

A medical assistant discovers a garbage can fire has started in the break room of the medical office. According to the RACE acronym for emergency response, which of the following actions should the assistant take first?

Evacuate staff and patients from the immediate area. Using the RACE acronym, the first action the assistant should take is to remove staff and patients who are in immediate danger from the fire.

A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's 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 assistant should notify the provider and schedule an extension of the patient's visit.

In which of the following locations should a medical assistant place the electrode for lead V4?

Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line. This is the correct location to place electrode V4.

A medical assistant receives a chemical splash in her eyes. Which of the following actions should the assistant take first?

Flush the eyes out with tepid water. The assistant should flush her eyes with tepid water between 15.5° and 37.8° C (60° and 100° F) for at least 15 min.

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 a gown. Other patient conditions that require contact precautions include hepatitis A, rotavirus, and herpes zoster (shingles).

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 should measure the infant's head circumference when monitoring for microcephaly.

The parent of a child who has pinworms is asking assistant for more information about his child's condition. The assistant should begin by explaining that pinworms are which of the following types of microorganism?

Helminths Helminths are parasites called "worms" that live in host organisms, such as animals and humans. A pinworm is an example of a helminth.

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 caused 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 assistants 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 healthcare Home health care organizations provide assistance with medications, wound care, and other services that need to be provided in a patient's place of residence. Home health care is the most appropriate service to provide daily wound care for this patient.

A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient about the self-administration of insulin injections. Which of the following patient statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

I will roll the bottle between my hands before drawing the medication. The patient should roll the bottle of insulin between his hands prior to injection to ensure the medication is suspended properly. Shaking the bottle of insulin is discouraged because it can cause bubbles to form in the insulin, leading to an inaccurate dose of medication.

A medical assistant is preparing to collect a patient's temperature via the tympanic membrane. In which of the following locations should the assistant place at the thermometer?

In the ear The tympanic membrane is located in the ear canal. Therefore, the assistant should place a thermometer in the patient's ear to collect a temperature via the tympanic membrane.

At what time of day will a patient's body temperature be at its lowest?

In the morning The patient's body temperature is at its lowest in the morning and increases throughout the day, reaching its highest temperature in the late afternoon.

A medical assistant receives a denial of payment for a patient's cholecystectomy. The reason stated is "noncovered service". If this procedure was deemed emergent 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 a noncovered service, it is the responsibility of the patient to contact the insurer to discuss any existing disputes regarding payment.

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 medication to the epidermal layer of the skin and allows for subsequent evaluation of the reaction to the tuberculin testing agent.

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 patients 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.

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.

A medical assistant has a request to collect a routine CBC from a healthy 10 month old infant. Which of the following is the most appropriate collection site?

Left heel If a child is under 12 months of age, an assistant should select the child's heel as the collection site for routine testing, even if there is a well-developed vein available. The heel stick is sufficient and causes less trauma.

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 medical assistant is removing sutures from a patient who has a laceration on his lower left leg. After setting up the sterile field, which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Lift the first knot away from the skin. Lifting the first knot away from the skin allows room for the assistant to slip one tip of the suture scissors under the suture.

A medical assistant is administering an intradermal injection for allergy testing. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Locate the area two to three finger widths below the antecubital space. The assistant should locate this area of the patient's inner forearm for the intradermal injection. The assistant should avoid discolored, pigmented, or scarred areas of skin.

A medical assistant is using a scale with a height bar to measure a patient's height. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Lower the horizontal bar gently so that it rests on the top of the patient's head. This position will show an accurate measurement of the patient's height on the vertical extension bar.

Medical 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 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 the patient leans forward, the distance from the chart will be altered and the test results will be inaccurate.

A provider prescribes oxycodone for a patient after abdominal surgery. Which of the following describes this type of medication?

Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance and has a high potential for abuse. Oxycodone is a schedule II controlled substance with significant restrictions. Schedule II substances have a high risk of abuse and dependency.

If fission was on a clinic with a bill for x-rays that required due to an injury at the patient's please employment. The patient has private insurance and is eligible for Worker's compensation. Assistant should recognize that which of the following parties is responsible for payment of this bill?

Paid in full by workers' compensation. The assistant should recognize that in instances in which a patient is eligible for workers' compensation, the workers' compensation should be accepted as payment in full by the clinic. Any remaining balance should be written off by the clinic. Therefore, neither the patient nor the patient's private insurance should be billed.

A medical assistant is examining the skin on a patient's forearm where the patient reports developing a rash. The assistant notes multiple solid elevations that are less than 0.5 cm (0.2 in) in diameter. Which of the following terms should he use to document his observations in the patient's medical record?

Papules Papules are solid elevations that are less than 0.5 cm (0.2 in) in diameter. A common cause is allergic eczema.

The parent of a child who has Pediculosis is asking a medical assistant for more information about her child's condition. The assistant should begin by explaining that pediculosis is which of the following types of infection?

Parasitic The assistant should recognize that pediculosis, also known as lice, is a common parasitic infection that is highly contagious.

A medical assistant should follow chain of custody guidelines for which of the following types of laboratory results?

Parentage testing Chain of custody guidelines apply to drug screens, forensic studies, blood alcohol levels, and parentage testing.

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 obtaining a blood pressure measurement from an adult patient. Which of the following actions should the assistant take to ensure an accurate reading?

Place does stethoscopes diaphragm over the patients 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.

American assistant is measuring the circumference of an infants head. What are the following action should the assistant take?

Place the zero mark of the measuring tape against the infant's forehead. The assistant should place the zero mark of the measuring tape on the infant's forehead.

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.

My medicine assistant is preparing to administer liquid, oral medication to a patient. Which is 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.

Medical assistant is reviewing laboratory requisitions. For which of the following patient condition 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 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 examination. Problem-focused examinations are limited to the single body area or system mentioned in the chief complaint.

A medical assistant is performing an ear irrigation for an adult patient who has a cermen 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.

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.

Prior to a patient's follow-up appointment, which of the following information should a medical assistant report to the provider?

Recent laboratory results. The assistant should report recent laboratory results to the provider prior to the visit so the provider can review them with the patient during the follow-up appointment.

Which of the following routes for taking a patient's temperature is the most accurate?

Rectal The rectal route is the most accurate method for obtaining a patient's temperature because the rectum is the most closed cavity.

A medical assistant is discussing information with a patient about a new medication that the provider prescribed. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Reinforce teaching about the frequency of medication administration. The assistant should reinforce information with the patient about new prescriptions and how to take them. When a patient does not understand the directions for taking a medication, this increases the risk that the desired treatment outcome will not be achieved.

A medical assistant is collecting a health history from an older adult patient who exhibits 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 patient's 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. There 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 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 days 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 medical assistant is preparing a patient who has congestive heart failure (CHF) for an examination by the provider. Which of the following manifestations should the assistant expect?

Shortness of breath (SOB) Expected manifestations of CHF include shortness of breath, fatigue, and edema

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.

In which of the following positions should a medical assistant place a healthy patient in preparation for a rectal examination.

Sims' The Sims' position is appropriate for a rectal examination.

Which of the following medical record documentation templates is organized by the entity that supplied the data?

Source orientated Source-oriented documentation is organized by the entity that supplied the data.

An adolescent is covered by two insurance policies under her divorced parents who have birthdays in May and August and have joint custody. Which policy is the primary policy for the adolescent?

The policy of the parent who has the earliest birth month. According to the third-party payer guidelines, the primary insurance policy is determined by which parent has the earliest birth month. This is also known as "the birthday rule."

When informed consent is required for procedure, which of the following steps should occur prior to the patient signing the form?

The provider should review alternative procedures with the patient. The provider should include information about alternative procedures before informed consent is obtained from a patient.

A medical assistant has requested a preauthorization for a patient's referral to a specialist. Which of the following is a reason for the claim submitted by the specialist to be denied?

The service is provided after the expiration date. The assistant should recognize that an authorization provided for a specialist indicates a range of dates for evaluation and treatment. Any action taken outside of this range is subject to denial of payment.

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 to see 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 physician-patient contract and places responsibility for any postoperative care issues on the patient, not the provider.

What are the following should the 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 treatment plans.

A medical assistant received a telephone call from a patient who is hesitant about discussing in new medical concerns unless the conversation is with a provider. This is a 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 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 witnessing a patient sign an informed consent form. Which of the following is the responsibility of the assistant acting as a witness?

Validate the patient signature. The assistant should validate the patient's signature when acting as a witness.

When preparing a patient for halter monitoring, which of the following actions should the medical assistant take?

Vigorously dry the patient's skin prior to electrode placement. The assistant should abrade the skin with dry gauze to enhance the adhesiveness of the electrodes.

A medical assistant is preparing to perform a capillary collection from an older adult patient who has poor circulation in his hands. Which of the following techniques with assistant used to increase circulation at the collection site?

Warm the patient's hand. Warming the hand can help increase circulation and bring capillaries to the surface of the hand.

A medical assistant is explaining to a female patient how to collect a clean catch urine specimen. Which of the following instruction should the assistant include?

With the labia spread, urinate a small amount into the toilet before collecting the sample. A clean-catch urine specimen is a midstream specimen. The patient must begin urinating into the toilet, stop, and then catch the "mid-stream" of the urine with the specimen container.

Which of the following techniques should a medical assistant use when bandaging a wound?

Wrap the wound from distal to proximal Wounds should always be wrapped from distal to proximal.

A provider places an open sharps container in the linen hamper by mistake. Which of the following is appropriate action for the medical assistant to take?

dispose of the linen hampers contents as a biohazard. The linen hamper's contents must be considered a biohazard and should be disposed of properly.

The primary code in the CPT coding system consists of how many digits?

five digits A CPT code is a five-digit code.

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.

The medical assistant drops an instrument on the floor while setting up a sterile tray for a procedure. He picks up the instrument and places it back on the sterile field. 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 an improper one, resulting in harm to a patient. The assistant's failure to maintain a sterile field was a negligent act, resulting in the patient's infection.

A medical assistant is reviewing the list of medications a patient reports currently taking. The assistant should recognize that which of the following medications is available in a sublingual form?

nitroglycerin Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that is used to treat angina or chest pain. It is available in a sublingual tablet and sublingual spray.

A medical assistant is assisting a provider with an abdominal examination. When the provider palpates the major portion of the liver, the assistant should recognize that he is palpating which of the following abdominal quadrants?

right upper The right upper quadrant contains the major portion of the liver. It is also the quadrant that contains the gallbladder.

During a routine venipuncture, the patient becomes pale and diaphoretic. What condition is most likely to occur in this patient?

syncope The assistant should recognize these manifestations as the onset of syncope and should take the necessary precautions in case the patient faints.

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.

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.