NHA: Medical Assistant(CCMA) Certification Practice Test 2.0 A numba 333

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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 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."

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.