MA School Exam

Who is known as the father of medicine?

a. Moses

b. Aesculapius

c. Hippocrates

d. Vesalius

Hippocrates

Because of their involvement with the medical profession, medical assistants must have a basic understanding of:

a. Law and ethics

b. Infection control protocols

c. Insurance policies

d. Milestones in medicine

Law and ethics

If the doctor is not present, the medical assistant can provide the patient with emergency care

a. True

b. False

True

It is not advisable for a medical assistant to discuss patients’ ailments with them, since___

a. Patients may file a lawsuit for receiving poor advice

b. It could result in the medical assistant losing their license

c. Patients often interpret the medical assistant’s comments as if they were the doctor’s opinion

d. The doctor may feel threatened

Patients often interpret the medical assistant’s comments as if they were the doctor’s opinion

A ______ is an organization that provides comprehensive medical care to a member group in exchange for a fixed, periodic payment

a. HMO

b. JPG

c. FACP

d. AMA

HMO

_____ is the medical specialty that focuses on the comprehensive, non-surgical care of adults

a. Nuclear medicine

b. Internal medicine

c. Emergency medicine

d. Immunology

Internal medicine

What is the normal blood pressure for an adult?

a. 120/80

b. 68/170

c. 300/700

d. 250/350

120/80

______ is the medical specialty dedicated to the medical and surgical treatment of women's diseases, especially those affecting the reproductive organs and functions.

a. Ophthalmology

b. Anesthesiology

c. Gynecology

d. Obstetrics

Gynecology

________ medicine is the specialty that deals with the physiological, pathological, and psychological problems faced by humans in space

a. Neurology

b. Aerospace

c. Nuclear

d. Radiology

Aerospace

Therapeutic radiology involves the use of ionizing radiation to treat _____

a. Crohn's disease

b. Congenital defects

c. Cancer and tumors

d. Migraines

Cancer and tumors

The portion of fibrous connective tissue that extends from a muscle to a bone is known as _____

a. Tendon

b. Vein

c. Capillary

d. Nerve

Tendon

___ is the branch of science that deals with the causes, mechanisms of development, and abnormalities of a disease

a. Pediatrics

b. Dermatology

c. Pathology

d. Immunology

Pathology

_____ reactions are abnormal reactions to certain substances that are harmless to most people

a. Metabolic

b. Hemostatic

c. Allergic

d. Neurostatic

Allergic

Which of the following diseases is NOT communicable?

a. Diabetes

b. Diphtheria

c. Smallpox

d. Typhoid fever

Diabetes

A ____ assistant who dresses professionally has a positive psychological effect on patients

a. Well-dressed

b. Pleasant

c. Well-groomed

d. Casual

Well-groomed

A medical assistant who does not wear a ______ should still follow the principles of good taste and appropriateness when choosing work attire

a. Stethoscope

b. Name tag

c. Uniform

d. Lab coat

Uniform

ECG machines are generally used to diagnose _____

a. Cardiovascular diseases

b. Rheumatic fever

c. Tuberculosis

d. Infantile paralysis

Cardiovascular diseases

Postpartum care is usually provided after _____

a. Gallbladder surgery

b. Shock therapy

c. The birth of a child

d. An X-ray

The birth of a child

Fever, chills, swollen eyelids, a runny nose, and a cough are symptoms of ______

a. Measles

b. Chickenpox

c. Tuberculosis

d. Scarlet fever

Measles

Penicillin is effective in treating various diseases because _____

a. It builds up the body's resistance to the disease

b. It boosts immunity against the organisms that cause the disease

c. It stops the growth of the organisms that cause the disease

d. It kills the organisms that cause the disease

It kills the organisms that cause the disease

The science of human behavior is called _____

a. Psychiatry

b. Mental hygiene

c. Psychology

d. Psychoanalysis

Psychology

If a patient who is lying on one side is uncomfortable, the nurse can give them a ______

a. Extra blanket to cover themselves

b. Back support

c. Abdominal support belt

d. Pillow for the lower back

Pillow for the lower back

If the patient shows symptoms of a pressure ulcer in the lower spine, you should _____

a. Try to get the patient to sit up

b. Place small accordion-style rings on the affected area

c. Apply an ointment to the ulcer

d. Place a cooling ring under the patient's buttocks

Place a cooling ring under the patient's buttocks

Microscopic examination of a bacterium is used to determine _______

a. The optimal conditions for growth

b. Its virulence

c. Its size, shape, etc.

d. Its relationship to certain foods

Its size, shape, etc.

You are alone at the clinic because the doctor and nurses are running late. A patient starts coughing and is bleeding heavily. The best course of action is ____

a. Give the patient a stimulant and apply a cold compress to the back of their neck

b. Contact other clinics to see if anyone else is available

c. Do nothing until the doctor arrives

d. Call the police to request an ambulance

Call the police to request an ambulance

A patient at the clinic requires immediate first aid because he is in shock. Most importantly, since neither the doctor nor the nurse is present, you should ______

a. Help the patient relax and administer a sedative

b. Keep the patient standing and moving to stimulate blood circulation

c. Keep the patient as warm as possible

d. Try to locate the doctor before doing anything else

Try to locate the doctor before doing anything else

Of the following statements, the one that is NOT part of the assistant's duties is ______

a. Interviewing the patient

b. Administering local anesthesia to patients

c. Taking the patient's temperature

d. Helping the patient prepare for a medical exam

Interviewing the patient

Feeding a patient intravenously means feeding them ______

a. Orally

b. Against their will

c. Through the veins

d. Without seasoning

Through the veins

Bed supports are useful devices for ______

a. Raising a limb

b. Relieving the patient of the weight of the blankets covering them in bed

c. Helping to keep a restless patient in bed

d. Allowing air to circulate freely

Allowing air to circulate freely

Which of the following is not an X-ray examination method?

a. Pyelogram

b. Bronchogram

c. Gastrointestinal tract X-ray

d. Cardiogram

Cardiogram

The opinion regarding the likely course and outcome of a disease is known as a ______

a. Examination

b. Diagnosis

c. Medical history

d. Prognosis

Prognosis

Ringworm in the body is caused by a _______

a. Bacteria

b. Fungus

c. Protozoa

d. Worm

Fungus

When treating a child with measles, it is recommended to ______

a. Protect the child’s eyes from direct light, but choose a room that is bright and well-ventilated

b. Set the room temperature to 72 to 75 °F

c. Keep the child in a dark room to protect their eyes

d. Dress the child in woolen clothing to keep them warm

Protect the child’s eyes from direct light, but choose a room that is bright and well-ventilated

The most contagious stage of measles is the ______

a. Febrile stage

b. Convalescent stage

c. Rash stage

d. Runny nose stage

Runny nose stage

Cold applications typically _______

a. Reduce blood flow to the area where they are applied

b. Dilate blood vessels

c. Increase blood flow to the area where they are applied

d. Increase pressure on nerve endings

Increase blood flow to the area where they are applied

A diet for a patient with gallstones may include _______

a. Grapefruit juice

b. Liver

c. Cream

d. Peas

Grapefruit juice

A good source of vitamin K is ______

a. Butter

b. Spinach

c. Oranges

d. Milk

Spinach

Argyrol is primarily used to treat _______

a. The ears

b. The eyes

c. The mouth

d. The nose

The nose

Body temperature taken rectally is _______ than body temperature taken orally

a. 1° lower than

b. The same as

c. 1° higher than

d. 2° higher than

1° higher than

Which of the following is not part of the human skeleton?

a. Femur

b. Humerus

c. Tibia

d. Brain

Brain

When the medical assistant's desk is in plain view of patients, it should _______

a. Provide easy access to patient records

b. Display the doctor's business cards

c. Have a phone available for patients to use

d. Be tidy

Be tidy

Which of the following indicates normal vision?

a. 20/10

b. 20/20

c. 20/30

d. 20/40

20/20

If a prescription is required for patients to obtain certain medications, it is because the medication _____

a. Is poisonous

b. Is addictive

c. Is expensive

d. Is strong

Is addictive

When scheduling an appointment, the time should be tailored to the needs of the _______

a. Doctor

b. Patient

c. Insurance company

d. Office manager

Patient

A stethoscope is an instrument used to _______

a. Determine blood pressure

b. Measure body temperature

c. Examine the chest

d. Determine blood sugar levels

Examine the chest

The aorta is a _____

a. Bone

b. Artery

c. Ligament

d. Nerve

Artery

The device used to measure blood pressure is the ____

a. Sphygmomanometer

b. Manometer

c. Vasoconstrictor

d. Diastolic pressure

Sphygmomanometer

The normal respiratory rate for an adult is _____ breaths per minute

a. 2–26

b. 12–30

c. 28–36

d. 12–20

12–20

Which of the following is most commonly used to treat arthritis?

a. Radioactivity

b. An electrocardiogram

c. An X-ray

d. Diathermy

An X-ray

When filing a letter by subject, you should place special emphasis on _____

a. The sender's name

b. The main subject of the letter

c. The date of the correspondence

d. The alphabetical cross-reference

The alphabetical cross-reference

When shaking a thermometer, you should allow the mercury column to drop below ____

a. 95 °F

b. 90 °F

c. 87 °F

d. 85 °F

95 °F

Air entering the mouth will interfere with an accurate reading of body temperature

a. True

b. False

True

_____ is the medical specialty that deals with the stomach, the small intestine, and the intestine leading up to the rectum

a. Endocrinology

b. Gastroenterology

c. Ophthalmology

d. None of the above

Gastroenterology

A patient with edema has _____

a. A lack of red blood cells

b. Too much water in the body's tissues

c. Blood in the urine

d. Glandular inflammation

Too much water in the body's tissues

Glaucoma is a disease of the _____

a. Thyroid gland

b. Liver

c. Bladder

d. Eye

Eye

The term “coagulate” means _____

a. To bleed excessively

b. To break apart

c. To work together

d. To form a clot

To form a clot

The Wassermann test is used to determine whether a patient has _____

a. Diphtheria

b. Leukemia

c. Scarlet fever

d. Syphilis

Syphilis

An autoclave is a _____

a. Device for sterilization under high pressure

b. Automatic gastric pump

c. Portable, automatic general anesthesia machine for surgery

d. Self-adjusting splint

Device for sterilization under high pressure

Bronchoscopes are usually used to examine ______

a. The kidneys

b. The heart

c. The stomach

d. The lungs

The lungs

The main reason X-ray film is stored in metal containers is to protect the film from ______

a. Ambient humidity

b. Exposure to stray X-rays

c. Dust and other particles

d. Extreme temperature changes

Extreme temperature changes

Pelvimeters are most commonly used to examine patients in _____ clinics

a. Cardiovascular

b. Oncology

c. Prenatal

d. Ophthalmology

Prenatal

“Incontinence” is a term that describes a _____

a. Involuntary loss of urine

b. Nosebleed

c. Inflammation of a nerve

d. Mild form of dementia

Involuntary loss of urine

The best way to describe a biopsy is to say that it is _____

a. A postmortem examination of the human body

b. A blood test

c. The examination of a tissue sample taken from a living organism

d. A test to determine the acidity of bodily fluids

The examination of a tissue sample taken from a living organism

Dyspepsia is a condition in which the patient experiences ______

a. Severe difficulty breathing

b. Digestive problems

c. Lack of energy due to insufficient nutrition

d. An uncontrollable urge to drink alcohol

Digestive problems

Hematology is the science that deals with the composition of _____

a. Blood

b. Bile

c. Cerebrospinal fluid

d. Gastric juices

Blood

What is the name of the test used to determine immunity to diphtheria?

a. Snellen

b. Dick

c. Wasserman

d. Schick

Schick

Which of the following is part of the nervous system?

a. The spine

b. The pancreas

c. Muscle

d. The skull

The spine

Another program designed to curb the spread of polio involves administering subcutaneous injections to all children under the age of 10 and contains ______

a. Blood plasma

b. Cortisone

c. ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)

d. Gamma globulin

Gamma globulin

Bacteria tend to reproduce more efficiently in places that are _____

a. Cold and dry

b. Cold and humid

c. Warm and humid

d. Warm and dry

Warm and humid

Which of the following is a vision problem?

a. Aphasia

b. Astigmatism

c. Tooth decay

d. Toxemia

Astigmatism

The biceps and triceps are the main muscles of the _______

a. Arm

b. Chest

c. Neck

d. Back

Arm

Cataracts affect ____

a. The brain

b. The ear

c. The eye

d. The throat

The eye

Which organ in the body secretes bile?

a. The stomach

b. The liver

c. The heart

d. The kidney

The liver

The highest incidence rate of tuberculosis occurs in the _______ age group

a. 1–9 years

b. 10–14 years

c. 15–30 years

d. 31–35 years

10–14 years

Any tableware used by a patient with a communicable disease should be _____

a. Scraped, rinsed, and then washed

b. Soaked overnight in a strong disinfectant solution

c. Boiled for 20 minutes

d. Kept separate and washed with soap and hot water

Kept separate and washed with soap and hot water

When documents are filed ______, it means they are being filed according to the date they were received

a. Numerically

b. Geographically

c. Chronologically

d. Alphabetically

Chronologically

The nurse assisted the doctor with a patient's biopsy. “Biopsy” means _____

a. Autopsy

b. Removal and diagnostic examination of a tissue sample

c. Biography and medical history

d. Administration of anesthesia

Removal and diagnostic examination of a tissue sample

When obtaining a medical history for a specific case, the person responsible for gathering medical information should prevent the patient from providing irrelevant information. What does “irrelevant” mean?

a. Too detailed

b. Related to family members

c. Insufficient

d. Inappropriate

Inappropriate

Which of the following is NOT commonly used for pain relief?

a. Aspirin

b. Morphine

c. Cocaine

d. Quinine

Quinine

When a medication is administered subcutaneously, it means it is given _____

a. By mouth

b. By injection under the skin

c. On the surface of the skin

d. Rectally

By injection under the skin

Which of the following is NOT a disinfectant?

a. Boiling water

b. Iodine

c. Formaldehyde

d. Novocaine

Novocaine

Which of the following is least related to an individual's heart rate?

a. Blood pressure

b. Temperature

c. Weight

d. Emotional state

Emotional state

Which of the following diseases is infectious?

a. Diabetes

b. Tuberculosis

c. Appendicitis

d. Hypertension

Tuberculosis

The Dick Test is used to determine susceptibility to ______

a. Measles

b. Scarlet fever

c. Diphtheria

d. Smallpox

Smallpox

The esophagus is part of the ______

a. Digestive tract

b. Abdominal wall

c. Mucous membrane

d. Circulatory system

Digestive tract

Which of the following is NOT a blood vessel?

a. Vein

b. Capillary

c. Lymph node

d. Artery

Lymph node

Vital statistics include information related to ______

a. Births, deaths, and marriages

b. The cost of food, clothing, and shelter

c. The number of children per household

d. Diseases and their comparative mortality rates

Births, deaths, and marriages

Blood is oxygenated through the ______

a. Liver

b. Heart

c. Spleen

d. Lungs

Lungs

The fatty substance present in the blood that builds up on the walls of the arteries and is believed to cause them to harden is _______

a. Amino acid

b. Phenol

c. Cholesterol

d. Pectin

Cholesterol

When administering artificial respiration, it is important to note that air is forced into the lungs through the ______

a. Expansion of the chest cavity

b. Contraction of the chest cavity

c. Expansion of the lungs

d. Contraction of the lungs

Contraction of the chest cavity

The thoracic region of the body is located in the ______

a. Abdomen

b. Lower back

c. Chest

d. Neck

Chest

“A minor illness” is a form of ______

a. Epilepsy

b. Syphilis

c. Diabetes

d. Malaria

Epilepsy

The branch of medicine that deals with adults is called _______

a. Pediatrics

b. Geriatrics

c. Serology

d. Histology

Geriatrics

The branch of medicine that deals with diseases affecting women is _______

a. Pathology

b. Orthopedics

c. Neurology

d. Gynecology

Gynecology

Measuring blood pressure involves two readings, which are known as ______

a. Metabolic and diastolic

b. Metabolic and systolic

c. Metabolic and hyperbolic

d. Hyperbolic and systolic

Metabolic and systolic

Enemas are generally used to ______

a. Induce vomiting

b. Irritate the stomach

c. Empty the bowels

d. Drain the bladder

Empty the bowels

The Snellen chart is used to examine ______

a. Eyes

b. Blood

c. Urine

d. Bile

Eyes

Which of the following medical supplies should be refrigerated?

a. Vaseline jelly

b. Paregoric elixir

c. Aureomycin

d. Hydrogen peroxide

Vaseline jelly

Which of the following is an anesthetic?

a. Novocaine

b. Phenobarbital

c. Benzedrine

d. Virginia witch hazel

Novocaine

The complete destruction of all forms of living microorganisms is called ______

a. Decontamination

b. Fumigation

c. Sterilization

d. Germination

Sterilization