MA EXAM GUIDE - MEDICAL OFFICE

EQUIPMENT, SCOPE OF PRACTICE, SKILLS, COMMON LABORATORY TESTS

Audiometer

used to measure hearing

Spirometer

measures lung volume

Sphygmomanometer

measures blood pressure

Otoscope

examines external auditory canal

Petri dish

plate used for culture of microorganisms

Ophthalmoscope

inspects the eye and retina

Centrifuge

separates fluids and solids

Snellen chart

used to test visual acuity

Sharps container

used for needle disposal at location of use

Peak flow

measures force that air can be expelled from the lungs

Pulse oximeter

measures oxygen saturation in blood

Glucometer

instrument to measure blood sugar

AED

defibrillates heart during cardiac arrest

Holter monitor

monitors heart rhythm activity for 24 hours

A physician may order a medical assistant to give medication by injection.

True

Medical assistants are permitted to start intravenous therapy.

False

Medical assistants may assist with minor surgery.

True

A medical assistant may apply bandages if a physician is on site.

True

A medical assistant may administer a narcotic injection.

True

California law allows properly trained MAs to perform venipuncture.

True

An MA may insert a urinary catheter if ordered by the physician.

False

Medical assistants are allowed to interpret laboratory results.

False

Ear lavage may be performed by an MA if the physician is on site.

True

Vital signs may be taken by a medical assistant.

True

Medical assistants may remove orthopedic casts.

True

Injecting collagen or Botox is within the MA’s scope of practice.

False

Medical assistants are allowed to inject anesthetics.

False

Medication may be given orally by medical assistants.

True

A medical assistant is permitted to use a laser.

False

Medical assistants may call themselves the office “nurse.”

False

Medical assistants may recommend a course of treatment for a patient.

False

An MA can apply an orthopedic splint if ordered by a physician.

False

A medical assistant can remove sutures.

True

Medical assistants may perform a capillary puncture.

True

Communication with a patient can be improved by

providing privacy.

A trained medical assistant is able to

measure and describe skin test results.

A patient’s photo was made public without her permission. This is called

invasion of privacy.

When sending a patient home after a procedure, the medical assistant should

document any instructions given to the patient.

A good explanation of a minor surgical procedure would help the patient

be less anxious and more cooperative.

Patient instruction sheets are used to

prevent misunderstanding.

The best method of preventing transmission of disease

handwashing.

The artery normally used for taking a pulse is the

radial.

The instrument used to examine the ears?

Otoscope

Social history includes the

martial status.

The nerve most apt to be affected during an injection in the buttocks is the

sciatic.

An injection into adipose tissue is called

subcutaneous.

The first and most important rule to remember in an emergency is to

stay calm.

Medical assistants are expected to make decisions during medical office emergencies based on

office protocol.

Detect strep bacteria

Throat culture

Measurement of glucose at any time

Random glucose

Measurement of cholesterol

Lipids

Quantitative pregnancy test

Urine HCG

Measures blood clotting time

INR (international normalized ratio)

Analysis of urine

UA (urinalysis)

Measurement of hemoglobin in blood

Hgb

Measures RBCs, WBCs, platelets, hgb, hct

CBC (complete blood count)

Blood test for pregnancy

Serum HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin)

Measurement of glucose after 8-12 hours fasting

FBS (fasting blood sugar)

Measurement of blood glucose over 3-month period

A1c

Measurement of percentage of RBCs in the blood

Hct

Measurement of thyroid function

T3 and T4

Measures glucose metabolism over a period of time (1-5 hours)

GTT