CMA NHA Practice Test Questions

A MA 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

MA is collecting multiple blood samples from a pt. Which of the following vacuum tubes should MA fill first?

Yellow (blood culture)

Which method is used to notify a provider of the denial of a claim by an insurance carrier?

Remittance advice. (it documents itemizes all paid, denied and allowable changes for a pt.)

Which body system should be evaluated for a diagnose of pyloric stenosis?

Gastrointestinal..(is the hardening of the pyloric sphincter)

MA is preparing to sanitize contaminated equipment. What pieces of equipment can a MA sanitize and reuse without needing to disinfect or sanitize it?

Otoscope

MA is assisting with the examination of an older adult pt who has a curvature of the thoracic spine. What term should the MA use when documenting this finding in the pt's medical record?

Kyphosis (humpback, curvature of thoracic spine)

A pt loses consciousness and the EKG tracing reveals ventricular fibrillation. Which of the following should the MA do first?

Call for help and begin CPR

What is outside of a MA's scope of practice?

to order additional laboratory tests to confirm the patients condition

MA is performing hand hygiene using an alcohol- based hand rub. The MA should recognize what info about alcohol- based hand rubs is correct?

Alcohol-based hand rub should be applied to one hand and then rubbed between both hands

A pulse oximeter can register an artificially low oxygen saturation measurements for a pt who has which of the following conditions?

Cold fingers

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

The provider should review alternative procedures with the pt

First time pt is late arriving to the office, What should MA say first?

Hello, Welcome to our office

MA is providing instruction to a pt on how to take an extended release medication PO. What statements made by the pt indicates for further teaching?

I can crush or chew the pill if it's too hard for me to swallow

What tasks is within the scope of practice for a MA in a clinical setting?

Removing sutures from a healing laceration

Pt at an urgent care facility report that she vomited and saw blood in the vomitus. What term should the MA use to document the pt's report?

Hematemesis

When unloading an autoclave machine, a medical assistant notices spots on the instruments. The assistant should recognize that this is the result of which of the following?

Mineral deposits from the tap water

MA is reviewing the list of medication a pt report currently taking. The MA should recognize what medication is available in a sublingual form?

Nitroglycerin

Which routes for taking pt's temp is the most accurate?

Rectal

MA is checking a pt out of the clinic. Which document should the MA locate info about provider referrals or follow up appointment request for the pt?

Encounter form ( also known as super bills referrals or appointment)

When speaking with a pt who has moderate hearing loss and reads lips. What action should MA take to aid in communication with the pt?

Use hand gestures

MA is preparing to use a glucometer to measure a pt's blood glucose level. What action should the MA take?

Obtain the blood sample after inserting the test strip into the glucometer

MA observes a provider failing to perform hand hygiene before beginning to remove sutures from a pt's hand. The pt's hand later becomes infected. The MA should identify what legal torts has occurred?

Negligence

MA is obtaining information for a pt's medical history and physical exam. The pt reports intermittent episode of ringing in his ears. What terms should the MA use to document this finding?

Tinnitus

MA is observing a pt after administering an antibiotic injection. The pt develops an itchy rash with pinkish, raised lesions. What term should the MA use when documenting this finding in the pt medical record?

URTICARIA

MA is measuring vital signs of an adult pt. MA should identify what B/P readings as primary hypertension?

150/95 mm Hg

Pharmacist calls the clinic to confirm an e-prescription request to fill a pt's medication order. What action should MA take?

Verify the order with the provider prior to confirming the e- prescription

What action should a MA take when performing aseptic hand washing?

Turn off faucet with a paper towel

Pt arrives at the clinic with a tick bite on his leg. The provider ask a a MA to help remove the tick. What actions should MA make?

Use tweezers to pull the tick away from skin slowly

MA is reinforcing teaching with a pt about a lifestyle modification to help regulate his hypertension. What statement by the pt indicates an understanding of the teaching?

I can only smoke half a pack each day. So I'll just cut it out completely

MA is preparing a patient for wearing a Holter monitor. What instructions should the MA include?

You should avoid using an electric blanket during monitoring

When assigning a CPT code, what is the purpose of a modifier?

Provides additional info or circumstances for a procedure

What laboratory values should a MA immediately report to a pt's provider?

Blood glucose 500 mg/dL (normal range is 70 to 110mg/dL)

MA is reinforcing teaching with a pt who is going home after having extensive suturing to a laceration. What instructions should the MA include?

Be sure to call your provider if you have a fever over 100 degrees F

MA is caring for a pt who has come in contact with concrete debris. Upon inspection of the eye, the MA sees debris on the surface of the sclera. What actions should MA take?

Irrigate the eye starting at the inner canthus and flowing to the outer canthus.

MA is transcribing a pt's routine prescription for oxycodone . What method should the MA use to process the prescription?

Provide the prescription in writing for the pt to take to the pharmacy ( oxycodone is a Schedule 2)

Pt contacts the facility to report a burn injury to her right arm. MA should identify which of the following pieces of info as a necessity when screening for a possible emergency situation?

The cause of the pt's burn

A MA is preparing a pt for Physical examination and is helping the pt into the dorsal recumbent position. The MA should identify this position is described by

Lying face up, with the legs bent and feet flat on the table

MA is talking with an older pt who sustained a foot fracture in a fall. She reports managing most task at home well, but has difficulty navigating with her crutches and is currently home bound. What resources should the MA refer the pt?

Meals on wheels

MA is preparing 1g/kg of activated charcoal for a pt who weighs 176 lb. How many grams of charcoal should the MA prepare?

79 g (to convert from lb to kg multiply 176 lb by 0.45 = 79.2 rounded = 79

Which of the EKG artifacts is caused by a disconnect electrode and results in the tracing going into the margins of paper?

Interrupted baseline

MA is monitoring a pt during stress-test. The pt becomes increasingly short of breath and tachycardic. Abnormalities appear in his EKG rhythm. What action should MA make?

Discontinue test

What is a CLIA-waived lab test

Human chorionic gonadotropin HCG test

MA is collecting data from a pt who is experiencing heatstroke. What manifestation should the MA expect to find?

Hot skin

MA is preparing a pt for a procedure to have a mole excised. What actions should MA take?

Cleanse the site with the surgical soap and an antiseptic

MA at a facility receives a call from a pt who is requesting the total cost of a surgical procedure. What is the appropriate response by the MA?

Provide the pt with an estimated cost for the procedure

When performing a first aid procedure to control bleeding of a wound, What actions should a MA take?

Apply layers of sterile gauze

MA is completing a progress note using the SOAP format. Which pt info should the MA include in the assessment section?

Diagnosis

What technique should MA use to confirm a pt's understanding of insulin administration?

Observe pt as she/he performs a self- demo

MA is assisting a pt who is obese with an insulin injection. What is the correct angle for this injection?

90 degree (sub q is 45 but with obese pt its 90)

MA discovers a garbage can fire has started in the break room of the MA office. According to the RACE acronym for emergency response, what action should the MA take first?

Evacuate staff and pt from the immediate area

Which of the following should a MA identify as the purpose of a category II code in procedural coding?

Tracks provider performance measures

A pt reports getting a bill that includes services she did not receive. What action should a MA take to reconcile these charges?

Review the day's encounter forms to determine if another pt received the services.

MA is reinforcing teaching with a pt about the self- administration of insulin injection. What pt statement indicates an understanding of the teaching?

I will roll the bottle in my hands before drawing medication

MA receives a chemical splash in her eyes. What action should MA take first?

Flush eyes with tepid water for at least 10 to 15 minutes

The parent of a child who has pediculosis is asking MA for more info about her child's condition. The MA should begin by explaining that pediculosis is which type of infection?

Parasitic (it's lice)

What position should a MA place an 18 month old pt when administering ear drops to the right ear?

Right ear facing up with the earlobe pulled down and back

MA is drawing five blood collection tubes. When should MA release the tourniquet?

Within 1 min. of application

Where should a MA place the electrode for lead V5

On the left anterior axillary line, horizontal to V4

A MA 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 sounds disappear

A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a physical examination when he notices that the patient's eyes are moving back & forth in a constant, involuntary manner. Which of the following terms should the assistant use when documenting this finding in the patient's medical record?

Nystagmus

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

Ask the patient to state her full name & date of birth.

MA is administering cough syrup to a pt. What actions should the MA take?

View the medication cup at eye level when pouring

MA is making a new sign- in sheet for the patient's who have appointments that day. What info should the sign-in sheet include?

Providers name

MA is reporting a pt fall that occured in the front lobby of the clinic. What is the purpose of the MA preparing an incident report?

To avoid future recurrences

MA is disposing of the syringe and needle she used to inject a seasonal influenza vaccine. What actions should MA take?

Drop the syringe, needle first, into the biohazard sharps container

What type of appointment system allows flexibility to allow for the most consistent pt flow?

Wave scheduling

What locations should a MA place the electrode for lead V4

The fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line

When performing diagnostic coding. How many characters are used to provide the highest level of specificity with an ICD-10-cm code?

Seven characters

A MA 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

MA receives a phone call from a parent of a child who has possibly ingested a household cleaner. What actions should the MA take?

Contact local poison control center

A medical assistant is asked to assist a provider with an orthopedic exam. Which of the following instruments should the assistant prepare for the exam?

Goniometer

The provider orders the medical assistant to prepare a tablespoon of medication for a patient. How many milliliters of medication should the assistant draw up?

15 mL

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

Sterilization.

When assisting a provider with a vaginal exam and Papanicolaou test, a medical assistant should identify that which of the following instruments is necessary?

Cytobrush.

A medical assistant should recognize which of the following bood pressure readings as indicative of an adult patient whose blood pressure levels classified as elevated?A. 115/75 mmHg B. 128/78 mmHg C. 100/65 mmHg D. 140/90 mmHg

B. 128/78mmHg

Which of the following organs is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen?

Gallblader

A medical assistant is reviewing discharge info with a patient who is postoperative following cryosurgery to the cervix. Which of the following statements should the assistant include?

You may experience a watery discharge for up to 1 week after your procedure.

A provider asks a medical assistant to reinforce teaching with a patient about her new diagnosis. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Document the patient's response to the teaching.

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

Five digits

A medical assistant is assisting in the treatment of a patient who experienced a chemical burn. Which of the following steps should the assistant take?

Remove any chemical-covered clothing

A provider asks a medical assistant to administer oxygen to a patient who is experiencing respiratory distress. Which of the following actions should the medical assistant take when administering oxygen to the patient?

Insert the tips of the canula into the patient's nostrils.

A medical assistant discovers an unidentified liquid on the floor of one of the clinic's treatment. Which of the following materials should the assistant use to remove and dispose of the liquid?

A clean-up kit.

A provider requests a medical assistant to initiate a referral for a patient to a mental health facility. Which of the following pieces of info is required for the assistant to include to the initial referral?

Diagnosis.

A medical assistant is preparing a CMS-1500 insurance claim form for a patient who was treated for a burn injury. Which of the following pieces of info is required on the form?

Current procedural terminology code.

A Medical Assistant is caring for a patient who has a body mass index (BMI) of 23. This patient should be categorized as which of the following?

Normal weight

A medical assistant is reviewing the laboratory results of a patient who has the Epstein-Barr virus. The assistant should identify that this organism can cause? A. Polio B. Mononucleosis C. Gastroenteritis D. Fifth disease

B. Mononucleosis

A medical assistant is adding information to a patient's computerized problem-oriented medical record (POMR). Into which of the following sections of the POMR should the assistant enter the patient's health history and laboratory results? A. Problem list B. Database C. Progress notes D. Diagnostic and treatment plan

B. Database

A medical assistant in an acute care facility is checking on a patient who has a deep laceration. The patient tells the assistant that he cannot accept blood transfusions due to his religious beliefs. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Document the statement in the patient's chart.

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's signature

A medical assistant is measuring a patient's blood pressure with an aneroid sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Make sure the midpoint of the patient's arm is at the level of the patient's heart.

A patient is entitled to which of the following medical records?

List of medication with diagnosis

A medical assistant is checking a patient's hearing using the Rinne test. Which of the following action should the medical assistant take?

Ask the patient to raise his hand when he no longer hears any sound.

A MA is measuring the circumference of an infant's head. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

Place the zero mark of the measuring tape against the infant's forehead

A medical assistant is to use the Snellen Chart to test an adult patient's visual acuity. The assistant should instruct the patient to stand which of the following distances away?

20 feet

Which of the following stages of the cardiac cycle on a EKG strip represents ventricular depolarization?

QRS Complex

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"

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

dyspnea

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

before a patient Is tested

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

vigorously dry the patient's skin prior to electrode placement

A medical assistant should complete documentation in a patient's medical record at which of the following times?

Immediately following a procedure