CMA Certification Exam

A fax transmittal sheet should not include:

A) messages

B) an account number

C) phone numbers

D) title of recipient

E) All of these answers

B

The structure that prevents material from entering the windpipe is the:

A) alveolus

B) trachea

C) bronchus

D) pharynx

E) epiglottis

E

Which of the following federal agencies tracks epidemics?

A) DEA

B) FDA

C) ADA

D) CDC

E) CMS

D

Which of the following is a written communication among members of an organization?

A) Letter

B) Itinerary

C) Memoranda

D) Agenda

C

A computer program that is designed to acquire access codes and passwords for illegal entry into a computer system is called:

A) White horse

B) data diddling

C) time bombs

D) Trojan horse

E) worm

D

_____ indicates toward the head.

A) Cephalad

B) Inferior

C) Central

D) Parietal

E) Superficial

A

A predefined computer setting that is automatically loaded with each new document unless changed by the user is the:

A) buffer

B) macro

C) directory

D) menu

E) default

E

Ineffective patient education communication techniques include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) changing topics

B) advising

C) accepting

D) defending

E) criticizing

C

AEDs are specifically used for:

A) asystole

B) None of these answers

C) asystole and ventricular tachycardia

D) ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia

E) asystole and ventricular fibrillation

D

Which one of the following statements describes the interrelationship between the cardiovascular system and the skeletal system?

A) Oxygenation of all cells

B) Hematopoiesis

C) Immune response

D) Metabolism

E) Blood pressure regulation

B

Adopting the view of other persons relative to their situation and experience is known as:

A) introjection

B) projection

C) sympathy

D) empathy

E) reinforcement

D

The legal term in Latin that means "the thing speaks for itself.":

A) Respondeat superior

B) Stare decisis

C) Res ipsa loquitur

D) Locum tenens

C

Which of the following is not considered a type of writen correspondence used in the medical office?

A) Form letters

B) All of these are considered types of written correspondence used in a medical office.

C) Information sheets and patient education materials

D) Interoffice communications (IOC)

E) Email

C

All of the following are included information located on a sterilization log EXCEPT:

A) items autoclaved

B) temperature

C) date

D) signature of person who has performed the sterilization procedure

E) None of the above

B

Which of the following documents is usually found only in the problem-oriented medical record?

A) Problem list

B) Hospital reports

C) Medical history

D) Progress notes

E) Diagnostic reports

A

What are structural or mechanical devices that are designed to minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

A) Exposure controls

B) Engineering controls

C) Standard precautions

D) None of these answers

E) Work practice controls

B

All of the following are liquid preparations EXCEPT:

A) syrup

B) elixir

C) suspension

D) solution

E) troche

E

Records that are subpoenaed from the medical office should be provided in which one of the following formats?

A) Original document

B) Notarized photocopy

C) Photocopied document

D) All of these answers

E) Original copy with electronic or scanned backup retained in the office

E

UPS stands for:

A) United Printing Service

B) United Package Service

C) United Parcel Service

D) United Pallet Services

E) United Postal Service

C

Which of the following is considered a mandatory credential?

A) Accreditation

B) Licensure

C) Certification

D) None of these answers

E) Registration

B

Which punctuation should follow a major heading in medical transcription?

A) )

B) ;

C) :

D) ,

E) .

C

RBCs that are normal in shape are called:

A) poikilocytes

B) discocytes

C) microcytes

D) anisocytes

E) codocytes

B

Which of the following would be indexed first?

A) Bill Browne

B) Glenda Browne

C) Fred Brown

D) Mary Ellen Bowl

E) Mary Ellen Bowden

E

An unconscious defense mechanism characterized by behaving in a way opposite to one's actual feelings is:

A) denial

B) projection

C) sublimation

D) reaction formation

E) introjection

D

Which of the following is not a method of positive marketing of a medical practice?

A) Billboards

B) Seminars/workshops

C) Website

D) Brochures

E) All are positive marketing strategies.

B

The bone that forms the inferior, posterior aspect of the skull is the:

A) occipital

B) temporal

C) mandible

D) parietal

E) maxilla

A

The term tachycardia is synonymous with:

A) fast heart rate

B) slow heart rate

C) irregular heart rate

D) abnormal heart rate

E) normal heart rate

A

Calling a patient, visiting the patient at home, and asking the patient to complete a questionnaire would fall into which one of the following categories of patient education?

A) Cultural considerations

B) Teaching plan

C) Implementation and evaluation

D) Learning needs assessment

E) None of the above

C

All of the following instruments are commonly used during a routine physical examination EXCEPT:

A) otoscope

B) ophthalmoscope

C) percussion hammer

D) thumb forceps

E) stethoscope

D

The total absence of sperm is known as:

A) hypospermia

B) subspermia

C) oligospermia

D) aspermia

E) hyperspermic

D

_____ is given to an infant between one to two months of age.

A) Hep B

B) PCV

C) DTaP

D) Hep A

E) Hib

A

All of the following should be taken into consideration when developing a medical practice brochure EXCEPT:

A) graphics

B) type of paper

C) font size and style

D) copy person

E) format

D

Which coding system expands the existing CPT system to provide a temporary listing of newly developed codes?

A) HCPCS

B) RVS

C) DRG

D) ICD

E) CPT

A

Which of the following is a physical disinfection agent?

A) Bleach

B) Boiling water

C) Iodine

D) Betadine

E) Alcohol

B

Which one of the following is not a benefit to the medical office for performing follow-up phone call reminders?

A) Less in-office administrative time.

B) The medical assistant can provide the patient with instructions prior to the appointment.

C) The medical assistant can answer patient questions prior to the appointment.

D) All of these answers

E) Patients are less likely to show for their scheduled appointment.

E

A document that directs health professionals, in advance, regarding a patient's wishes concerning medical care while they are still able to communicate them:

A) None of these answers

B) Euthanasia

C) Guardian ad litem

D) Durable Power of Attorney

E) Living Will

E

The gradual return of an elevated temperature to normal is called _____.

A) subsiding

B) crisis

C) defervescence

D) lysis

E) remittent

D

Painful sexual intercourse is known as:

A) cervicitis

B) amenorrhea

C) dyspareunia

D) endometriosis

E) dysmenorrhea

C

Which one of the following would be considered a communication barrier?

A) Exploring

B) Minimizing

C) Reflecting

D) Silencing

E) Mirroring

B

Which of the following is the least effective method for scheduling appointments?

A) Time-specified system

B) Stream

C) Double-booking system

D) Tidal wave system

E) Modified wave system

D

In order for consent to be informed, which of the following elements should be present?

A) All of these answers

B) Risks and benefits of the proposed treatment

C) None of these answers

D) Nature of the patient's condition

E) Nature and purpose of the proposed treatment

A

"Let the master answer" describes the legal doctrine:

A) respondeat superior

B) non suis juris

C) res ipsa loquitur

D) informed consent

E) res judicata

A

A(n) _____ can hold patient documents temporarily until the medical record is returned.

A) chart retention plan

B) archival record

C) in-guide

D) borrowed charts log

E) out folder

E

Which of the following must be taken into consideration when developing a patient education brochure?

A) All of these answers

B) provide clear instructions

C) present the information in a manner that is accessible to your patient population

D) the accuracy of the information

E) request permission for copyrighted materials

A

Which one of the following is not an example of a material requiring the use of standard precautions?

A) Vomitus

B) Synovial fluid

C) All of these answers require the use of standard precautions.

D) Sweat

E) Hair

E

Specimens that may be introduced into evidence in a court of law require special handling. What is the documentation for this type of specimen called?

A) Chain of command

B) Chain of custody

C) Chain of evidence

D) None of these answers

E) Chain of control

B

Male pubertal characteristics develop in which one of the following orders?

A) First ejaculation, growth of armpit hair, growth of facial hair, increase in penis and testicle size, minor voice change

B) Growth of facial hair, growth of armpit hair, increase in penis and testicle size, minor voice change, first ejaculation

C) Minor voice change, increase in penis and testicle size, growth of armpit hair, first ejaculation, growth of facial hair

D) Growth of armpit hair, increase in penis and testicle size, minor voice change, growth of facial hair, first ejaculation

E) Increase in penis and testicle size, minor voice change, first ejaculation, growth of armpit hair, growth of facial hair

E

Determining the true balance of an account is a process known as:

A) comparing

B) resolving

C) banking

D) reconciling

E) budgeting

D

When classifying an incident, some loss potential is an example of a(n):

A) None of these answers

B) investigative accident

C) potential claim

D) incident

E) Either investigative accident or incident

B

Which of the following terms relates to a gynecological disorder?

A) stomatitis

B) epididymitis

C) rhinitis

D) vasitis

E) salpingitis

E

Mimicking the behavior of another to cope with feelings of inadequacy is called:

A) rationalization

B) substitution

C) suppression

D) identification

E) dissociation

D

Which of the following veins drain the liver?

A) Hepatic

B) Mesenteric

C) Iliac

D) Brachial

E) Renal

A

Which of the following is not a true statement of the alphabetical system?

A) All are false statements.

B) Documents are arranged in reverse chronological order.

C) Folder captions are restricted to two subjects.

D) All are true statements.

E) Names are filed from left to right.

C

All of the following waves can be found on an electrocardiogram tracing EXCEPT:

A) R

B) S

C) V

D) P

E) Q

C

As a team member, which one of the following are you responsible for?

A) Working independently when the situations requires it

B) All of these answers

C) Following through on assigned tasks

D) Working effectively in a group dynamic

E) Promoting competent patient care

B

What is the main concern for a victim who has been in a motorcycle accident?

A) Paralysis

B) Head and neck injuries

C) Both head and neck injuries, and paralysis

D) Spinal cord injuries

E) Head and neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis

E

Stamping and dating a document is part of what step in the filing process?

A) Sorting

B) Coding

C) Inspecting

D) Indexing

E) Categorizing

B

All of the following are signs of decomposing urine EXCEPT:

A) bacterial growth

B) cellular structures disintegrate

C) ammonia odor

D) pH becomes acidic

E) acetone evaporates

D

The opposite of distal is:

A) lateral

B) anterior

C) medial

D) posterior

E) proximal

E

How should an MA respond to a missed appointment by a patient?

A) Any of these answers

B) Send the patient a letter

C) Send the patient a Certified letter

D) Call the patient

E) Send the patient a postcard

A

Gynecological instruments include:

A) uterine tenaculum

B) uterine curette

C) pelvimeter

D) vaginal speculum

E) All of these answers

E

The body region overlying the stomach is the:

A) iliac

B) hypochondriac

C) epigastric

D) hypogastric

E) umbilical

C

All of the following are adjectival suffixes EXCEPT:

A) -ic

B) -tic

C) -ical

D) -al

E) -oma

E

Making a decision about the name, subject, or other identifier under which you file the material is part of what step in the filing process?

A) Inspecting

B) Indexing

C) Conditioning

D) Alphabetizing

E) Sorting

B

What form of drug is placed under the tongue?

A) Buccal

B) Transdermal

C) Topical

D) Oral

E) Sublingual

E

The Current Tax Payment Act of _____ requires employers to withhold income tax on a pay-as-you-go basis.

A) 1946

B) 1947

C) 1944

D) 1945

E) 1943

E

The majority of banking transactions involve:

A) checks

B) financial management

C) collections

D) cash

E) deposits

A

When reducing fees, which of the following is an example of a courtesy allowance?

A) Discount given to friends

B) Discount given to an indigent patient

C) Discount to third-party payors

D) None of these answers

E) Discount given to a clergy member

E

Which of the following is private insurance to supplement Medicare benefits for payment of the deductible, co-payment, and coinsurance?

A) medigap plan

B) private plan

C) companion plan

D) commercial plan

E) government plan

A

A test performed by placing a small probe on the earlobe or finger to evaluate the amount of oxygen saturation in the blood is:

A) PEFRs

B) spirometry

C) None of these answers

D) pulse oximetry

E) vital capacity

D

Which of the following are input devices?

A) keyboard

B) mouse

C) All of these answers

D) scanner

E) graphic tablet

C

Which of the following forms of mail correspondence is typically handled by the medical assistant?

A) Promotional literature

B) Newspapers

C) All of these answers

D) Fee payments

E) Subscription renewals

C

All of the following urinary constituents are reported EXCEPT:

A) bacteria

B) casts

C) erythrocytes

D) artifacts

E) leukocytes

D

Which of the following is spelled correctly?

A) Opthalmology

B) Ophthalmology

C) Ophthamology

D) Opthamology

E) None of these answers

B

Scheduling the patients that can be seen in one hour at the beginning of each hour instead of every 15 or 20 min during the hour is known as a:

A) wave system

B) clustering (grouping) system

C) modified wave system

D) double-booking system

E) time-specified system

A

The structure that permits the passage of urine from the bladder to the external environment is the:

A) nephron

B) urethra

C) ureter

D) calyces

E) renal pelvis

B

Which one of the following situations illustrates working as a team member?

A) The administrative medical assistant is behind inputting patient data into the computer at the end of the day and cannot run the reports until she is finished. You have an appointment right after work and cannot stay to help.

B) Mr. Jones has very fragile veins and the clinical medical assistant has been unable to obtain blood. After two attempts, she asks you if you would try. You are right in the middle of preparing the bank deposit, but you agree to try.

C) You have completed your tasks for the day so you ask the physician if you can leave early.

D) You are 10 minutes late to work three times this week but you have good reasons.

E) None of these answers

B

A(n) _____ is the most common and effective means of sterilization.

A) ultrasound

B) autoclave

C) chemical agent

D) gas chamber

E) UV radiation

B

Which of the following tests is considered a moderately complex test?

A) Glucose

B) Monospot

C) Hemoglobin

D) CBC

E) Hematocrit

D

The administrative agency that protects employee health and safety is the:

A) FDA

B) HCFA

C) DRG

D) OSHA

E) DEA

D

Which one of the following is the recommended order of draw for evacuated blood tubes?

A) Light blue, red, SSTs, yellow, green, lavender, gray

B) SSTs, green, red, light blue, yellow, lavender, gray

C) Green, light blue, yellow, red, SSTs, gray, lavender

D) Yellow, red, light blue, SSTs, green, lavender, gray

E) Green, lavender, red, yellow, SSTs, gray, light blue

A

The number of lines separating the inside address and the salutation is:

A) 15

B) 2

C) 4

D) 3

E) None of these answers

B

A cost-effective plan development and coordination of care for complicated cases is called:

A) case management

B) preauthorization

C) pre-admission certification

D) concurrent review

E) discharge planning

A

_____ measures the rate at which anticoagulated RBCs will fall when allowed to settle in a thin columnar tube.

A) ESR

B) Hgb

C) Hct

D) CBC

E) GTT

A

A(n) _____ located after a code number indicates variable preoperative and postoperative services.

A) bullet

B) horizontal triangles

C) triangle

D) asterisk

E) brackets

D

As it relates to patient education, which of the following should be documented in the patient's chart?

A) Plan

B) Assessment

C) Implementation

D) All of the above

D

The fastest mail service is:

A) second-class

B) first-class

C) certified

D) special fourth-class

E) express

E

Which of the following is a reason for clinics to receive less than the total charge for patient services?

A) All of these answers

B) Charity or contractual allowance only

C) Courtesy

D) Contractual allowance

E) Charity

A

Urinary casts are reported as the:

A) number per high power field

B) number per low power field

C) number per cubic centimeter

D) total number seen

E) number per cubic millimeter

B

The bank statement shows a balance of $4,050.00. Outstanding deposits total $1,025.00, and outstanding checks total $700.00. The checkbook balance should be:

A) $5,775.00

B) $4,375.00

C) $3,725.00

D) None of these answers

E) $2,325.00

B

What immunizations will be recorded on a child's immunization record at age 15 months?

A) DTaP(4), Polio(3), HIB(4), MMR(1)

B) DTaP(2), IPV(2), HIB(2), Hep B (2)

C) None of these answers

D) DTaP(5), OPV(2), MMR(2) - if needed

E) DTaP(1), IPV(1), HIB(1), Hep B(1)

A

A property or right owned by a business defines:

A) asset

B) expense

C) capital

D) liability

E) revenue

A

Which type of bond is usually done for someone handling large sums of money?

A) Position-schedule bond

B) Blanket-schedule bond

C) Blanket-position bond

D) Personal bond

E) None of the above

D

Which CPT modifier indicates that multiple modifiers have been assigned?

A) -47

B) -57

C) -66

D) -22

E) -99

E

Which of the following types of coding systems is a MFS for services based on the level of resources needed to provide a service?

A) CPT

B) HCPCS

C) RVS

D) RBRVS

E) DRG

D

Which of the following would be indexed last?

A) Middle name

B) First name

C) Numbers

D) Titles

E) Last name or surname

D

Which of the following protects pension funds?

A) ADEA

B) FLSA

C) ERISA

D) ADA

E) FMLA

C

How long may an address change service remain in effect?

A) 24 months

B) 18 months

C) 2 months

D) 12 months

E) 1 month

D

Oophorectomy is related to what body system?

A) Male reproductive system

B) Male urinary system

C) Female urinary system

D) Female reproductive system

E) Hemopoietic system

D

Which hormone promotes the development of breasts?

A) MSH

B) None of these answers

C) LH

D) ACTH

E) TSH

B