NHA Medical Assistant Exam

Sometimes individuals who have suffered from frostbite may develop blackened areas of skin. What has occurred to the tissue in these instances?

necrosis

What is known as a psychological mechanism that counterbalances negative feelings in one area with positive feelings from another area?

Compensation

A 31-year-old female patient named Paula experiences ongoing abdominal pain and bloating. The physician suspects irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but needs to exclude other serious conditions. Which diagnostic test is most appropriate to confirm IBS based on medical necessity guidelines?

Colonoscopy

When administering eye ointment, which method should be used to ensure effective application?

Apply a thin ribbon of ointment from the inner canthus to the outer canthus of the lower eyelid.

Which of the following actions should a medical assistant take to comply with third-party payer billing requirements when a patient receives a service not typically covered by their insurance?

Inform the patient of the potential out-of-pocket cost and obtain a signed waiver

A physician prescribes 250 mg of medication for a patient. The medication is available in 125 mg tablets. How many tablets should the patient take to achieve the prescribed dose?

2 tablets

In eukaryotic cells, which organelle plays a critical role in generating ATP via cellular respiration?

mitochondria

Refrigerated vaccines should be stored between what temperatures?

36-46°F

Within a team-based care (TBC) model, what is the primary role of the medical assistant when working with a multidisciplinary team?

Assisting with patient assessments and managing administrative tasks

A patient expresses that they are unable to afford their prescribed medication. What is the most appropriate action for the medical assistant to take?

Refer the patient to a social worker or financial assistance program.

When palpating a pulse, you note it is not easily felt and that slight pressure causes it to disappear. How would you describe this pulse in documentation?

1+

Which of the following injuries is most likely to result from repetitive motion or overuse?

Carpal tunnel syndrome

What must be kept in the medical office if controlled substances are kept there?

Inventory log

A patient with a history of fainting begins reporting feeling weakness and dizziness with mild nausea. What action should be taken by the MA?

Assist the patient into a safe supine position and elevate the legs

A 6-month-old patient is due for their next immunizations according to the standard vaccination schedule. Which of the following vaccines is most likely included in this visit?

DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis)

According to The Joint Commission’s “Do Not Use” List, which of the following abbreviations should be avoided due to potential confusion with other terms?

U (for units)

A patient reports an allergy to penicillin and is prescribed amoxicillin for a bacterial infection. As a CCMA, what should be your immediate action?

Document the allergy and notify the prescribing physician.

A patient is scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which preprocedural instructions should be provided to the patient to ensure accurate results?

Avoid eating solid foods for 24 hours before the procedure.

What does the abbreviation “PRN” commonly indicate in a medical prescription?

As needed

A child is brought into the clinic with a nosebleed after being hit in the face with a ball. What is the appropriate first step to manage the nosebleed?

Pinch the nostrils together and lean forward

Which instrument should a clinical medical assistant prepare for the physician to examine a patient’s ears during a general physical examination?

Otoscope

During a general abdominal examination, which of the following positions is most appropriate for the patient to ensure proper access and comfort?

Supine position

The transverse plan divides the body into which sections?

Superior and inferior

Which of the following is a common form of oral medication that is designed to dissolve slowly and provide a steady release of the drug?

Extended-release tablet

1kg is equal to

2.2lbs

15mL is equal to

1tbsp

5mL is equal to

1 tsp

1 gallon is equal to

3.79 liters

1 In is equal to

2.54 cm

This is the most prominent member of the medical care team.

Physician

What is the scope of practice of the PA based on

Education and experience, Policies of employers and facilities, and Policies of employers and facilities

This person may be the first person in the doctor’s office to see a patient.

Office manager

This person can perform both administrative and clinical duties

Medical assistant

Home care aides are PCTs who visit clients’ homes to assist them with activities they can no longer perform alone.

true

Pharmacy technicians ensure that people receive the proper medications for their health problems, and they provide information about these medications.

False

Medical editors listen to the doctors’ spoken notes while editing rough reports that a speech recognition program produced based on the doctors’ dictation.

True

Coding requires the medical coding specialist to look up the information in a reference book and find the right set of numeric or alphanumeric codes that describes exactly what occurred during the patient’s visit.

True

The medical billing specialist is trained to organize and manage patient health data in digital and hard-copy formats, ensuring the quality, accuracy, accessibility and security of this critical documentation.

False

Describe the tasks that a CMAA might perform, according to the NHA

Reviewing and answering practice correspondence; operating computer systems to carry out office tasks; answering calls and scheduling appointments; greeting patients and updating electronic medical records; updating and maintaining patient and other practice-specific information; coordinating operation reports such as time and attendance; and operating office software and equipment.

A healthcare professional should exhibit which personal quality?

Adaptability, Presentation, Professionalism

This is the conduct, aim or quality that characterizes a profession or professional person

Professionalism

This is the act of bringing or introducing something into the presence of someone else.

Presentation

Presenting a confident image is important.

True

This is the ability to be modified or changed.

Adaptability

Handling several responsibilities at once is termed

multitasking

Professionalism includes how you

Talk, dress, and interact

Making lists to remember tasks for the day is an example of this

Organization

A healthcare professional’s work attire should be

clean, wrinkle-free and professional

This person may be in charge of an outpatient service within a larger healthcare facility

Health services manager

This member of the healthcare team monitors the physical, mental and emotional needs of the patient

Patient care technician

Which member of the healthcare team listens to the provider’s dictation and types what is heard?

Medical transcriptionist

EMT personnel _____ patients, while paramedics might begin to cure them.

stabilize

This person is trained to organize and manage patient health data in digital and hard-copy formats, ensuring the quality, accuracy, accessibility and security of this critical documentation.

EMR specialist

Which part of the healthcare team will diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider?

Physician assistant

This setting may be a provider’s office or emergency department.

  Outpatient

Which is NOT a responsibility of a nurse or nurse’s assistant

Prescribing medications

What are two essential characteristics of a successful healthcare professional?

Warmth and confidence

To give yourself the best chance of gaining a new client, besides professionalism and adaptability, what must you remember and practice?

  Presentation

Which member of the healthcare team works under the supervision of RNs or LPNs fulfilling daily tasks that provide for the basic care of patients?

Certified nursing assistant

This member of the healthcare team reviews the medical report to determine the correct set of alphanumeric characters that describe exactly what occurred during the patient’s visit.

Medical coding specialist

Which member of the healthcare team organizes schedules and keeps appointments straight?

Office professional

Which correctly illustrates the order of training, from lowest to highest, of medical personnel?

EMT, paramedic, physician

This person completes insurance forms and ensures proper reimbursement for patient encounters

Medical billing specialist

During residency, how many hours per week might physicians be asked to work?

85-100

Medical coding is the process of

translating narrative into numeric and/or alphanumeric codes

What is the primary goal when answering a phone call?

Create a positive impression.

You should answer the phone by the _____ ring

third

This helps your voice reflect warmth

Smiling

What does telephone communication lack

Nonverbal communication

Which describes the skill of listening?

Listening is an active process.

When listening to a caller, what should you be sure to do?

Ask open-ended questions

When you say “I see” what does it tell the caller

It communicates your attention

This helps you focus during a conversation and on the action to be

Take notes

Which does NOT influence vocal quality?

Work ethic

This balances the rate of speaking and the tone of your voice

Smiling

Which is a characteristic of speaking with a lower, smoother voice?

Speaking from low in the diaphragm

Which phrase does NOT block communication?

I can do that.

When taking a message, which is important to do?

Have the caller spell out names of people and places and repeat phone numbers and addresses back to the caller

What does personalizing the call mean?

Working the caller’s name into the conversation

Which is a rule for transferring calls

Be sure that the person you’re transferring the call to is available

How should you conclude every call

Saying “thank you”

What are the two traits of effective phone skills?

warm confidence and genuine concern.

Explain five things that the traits of effective phone skills will help you do as a medical assistant.

Any five of the following: Deal with patient-service challenges effectively. Handle difficult callers with self-assurance. Reduce stress and maintain composure, even during a chaotic day. Improve marketing skills. Make a favorable impression on patients and coworkers. Create a sense of trust and preference for your organization in patients

When dealing with international visitors, keep in mind that this is the universal language.

Nonverbal communication

What should you do if you have to turn away a pushy, unsolicited salesperson?

Remain calm yet firm

What is the best way to work with a non-English speaking patient?

Speak slowly and clearly

What should you do when encountering a disabled visitor

Treat her naturally, without making a fuss.

If a visitor becomes angry or rude, which should you avoid doing?

Criticize or be defensive

Which is NOT a tip related to dealing with an angry patient?

Speak loudly to maintain control of the situation

Which is NOT a consideration when making appointments?

Your preferences

What information should be gathered regarding an appointment?

Referral source, Reason for appointment, and Name and contact number

What are buffer periods?

Time for emergency or urgent appointments

Urgent care centers are an example of which type of appointment system?

Open office hours

One advantage to this system is that a visitor who arrives on time for an appointment won’t have to wait long

Time-specific

This type of scheduled appointment system makes it easy for an office to adjust when patients aren’t on time.

Wave-scheduling

What should you do when you have to reschedule a client’s appointment?

Focus positively on finding a new date and time

What’s the best way to let a patient know the doctor can see them

Barbara, the doctor will see you now.

Which is NOT a way to keep phone conversations private

Leave a detailed message when the patient is not available.

What are some tips to follow when dealing with difficult patients?

Remain calm. Your anger or frustration will only stoke the flames of an upset patient’s fire. Let the patient know you want to help. Ask questions that will help you solve the problem. Listen carefully to what the person says and what is behind the words. Listen to the entire story whenever possible. Don’t criticize or be defensive. Remember, the person probably is not upset with you—you happen to be the nearest office employee available. In the rare instance that a patient seems highly aggressive, intoxicated or abusive, call security or a colleague to help and act as a witness.

Describe health literacy

Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions.