Medical Assistant Exam – Actual 2026
Questions with Fully Explained Answers
Section 1: Clinical Patient Care (Questions 1-40)
1. A patient presents with sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and cyanosis. The MA
should suspect:
A) Asthma attack
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Hyperventilation syndrome
D) Myocardial infarction
Answer: B) Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Triad of sudden dyspnea, chest pain, and cyanosis is classic for pulmonary
embolism (blood clot in lung). Asthma has wheezing; hyperventilation has tingling; MI may
have radiating pain.
2. The proper site for a heel stick on an infant is:
A) Center of the heel
B) Medial or lateral plantar surface
C) Arch of the foot
D) Tip of the big toe
Answer: B) Medial or lateral plantar surface
Rationale: Avoid the center (calcaneus bone) to prevent osteomyelitis. Use medial/lateral
heel surfaces.
3. When performing a 12-lead EKG, the V1 electrode is placed at:
A) 4th intercostal space, right sternal border
B) 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
C) 4th intercostal space, left sternal border
D) 5th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
Answer: A) 4th intercostal space, right sternal border
Rationale: V1 = 4th ICS right sternal; V2 = 4th ICS left sternal; V4 = 5th ICS midclavicular.
4. A patient with an allergy to shellfish is at highest risk for reaction to:
A) Penicillin
B) Iodine-based contrast dye
C) Acetaminophen
D) Codeine
,Answer: B) Iodine-based contrast dye
Rationale: Shellfish allergy correlates with iodine allergy due to shared antigens. Contrast
dye used in CT/MRI contains iodine.
5. Which of the following is the correct order of donning PPE?
A) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
B) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
C) Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
D) Gown, mask, gloves, goggles
Answer: A) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
Rationale: Gown first, then mask, eye protection, finally gloves (to avoid contamination).
6. The normal adult respiratory rate is:
A) 8-12 breaths/min
B) 12-20 breaths/min
C) 20-30 breaths/min
D) 30-40 breaths/min
Answer: B) 12-20 breaths/min
Rationale: 12-20 is normal adult range. <12 = bradypnea; >20 = tachypnea.
7. To obtain an accurate orthostatic blood pressure, the MA should:
A) Take BP supine, then immediately standing
B) Wait 1 minute between position changes
C) Take BP sitting, then after walking
D) Use a different arm each time
Answer: B) Wait 1 minute between position changes
Rationale: Allow time for cardiovascular adjustment. Measure supine → sitting → standing
with 1-2 min intervals.
8. A fasting blood glucose level of 65 mg/dL indicates:
A) Normal
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Diabetes mellitus
Answer: C) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Normal fasting glucose = 70-99 mg/dL. <70 = hypoglycemia; >126 = diabetes.
,9. When performing a capillary puncture, which finger is preferred?
A) Index finger
B) Middle or ring finger
C) Thumb
D) Little finger
Answer: B) Middle or ring finger
Rationale: Less calloused, less sensitive, and lower risk of hitting bone. Avoid thumb (pulse)
and index (more nerve endings).
10. The medical assistant witnesses a patient fall in the waiting room. The first action is:
A) Call 911
B) Move patient to a chair
C) Assess for injury and consciousness
D) Get the provider immediately
Answer: C) Assess for injury and consciousness
Rationale: Primary survey first (ABCs). Do not move patient until spine injury ruled out.
11. The proper way to clean a wound before bandaging is:
A) From the center outward
B) From the outer edge inward
C) In a zigzag pattern
D) Using circular motions toward the heart
Answer: A) From the center outward
Rationale: Prevents reintroducing bacteria from edges into the wound.
12. Which pulse site is used during CPR for infants?
A) Carotid
B) Radial
C) Brachial
D) Femoral
Answer: C) Brachial
Rationale: For infants (<1 year), brachial pulse is palpated. Carotid is used for
adults/children.
13. A patient with a history of seizures suddenly begins convulsing. The MA should:
A) Insert a tongue depressor
B) Restrain the patient
C) Move furniture away and place patient on side
D) Administer oral glucose
, Answer: C) Move furniture away and place patient on side
Rationale: Protect from injury. Recovery position prevents aspiration. Never put anything in
mouth.
14. The normal range for adult pulse oximetry (SpO2) is:
A) 80-85%
B) 85-90%
C) 91-94%
D) 95-100%
Answer: D) 95-100%
Rationale: Below 90% indicates hypoxemia; below 85% is severe.
15. When administering an intradermal injection, the needle is inserted at what angle?
A) 5-15 degrees
B) 25-30 degrees
C) 45-60 degrees
D) 90 degrees
Answer: A) 5-15 degrees
Rationale: Intradermal (e.g., TB test) is almost flat, just under epidermis. Subcutaneous =
45°, IM = 90°.
16. A patient refuses a prescribed medication. The MA should:
A) Insist the patient take it
B) Document refusal and notify provider
C) Hide it in food
D) Ask family to force it
Answer: B) Document refusal and notify provider
Rationale: Patient has right to refuse. Document and report to provider.
17. The maximum volume for an intramuscular injection in the deltoid is:
A) 0.5 mL
B) 1 mL
C) 2 mL
D) 3 mL
Answer: B) 1 mL
Rationale: Deltoid max 1 mL (adult). Vastus lateralis/gluteal can take up to 3-4 mL.
Questions with Fully Explained Answers
Section 1: Clinical Patient Care (Questions 1-40)
1. A patient presents with sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and cyanosis. The MA
should suspect:
A) Asthma attack
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Hyperventilation syndrome
D) Myocardial infarction
Answer: B) Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Triad of sudden dyspnea, chest pain, and cyanosis is classic for pulmonary
embolism (blood clot in lung). Asthma has wheezing; hyperventilation has tingling; MI may
have radiating pain.
2. The proper site for a heel stick on an infant is:
A) Center of the heel
B) Medial or lateral plantar surface
C) Arch of the foot
D) Tip of the big toe
Answer: B) Medial or lateral plantar surface
Rationale: Avoid the center (calcaneus bone) to prevent osteomyelitis. Use medial/lateral
heel surfaces.
3. When performing a 12-lead EKG, the V1 electrode is placed at:
A) 4th intercostal space, right sternal border
B) 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
C) 4th intercostal space, left sternal border
D) 5th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
Answer: A) 4th intercostal space, right sternal border
Rationale: V1 = 4th ICS right sternal; V2 = 4th ICS left sternal; V4 = 5th ICS midclavicular.
4. A patient with an allergy to shellfish is at highest risk for reaction to:
A) Penicillin
B) Iodine-based contrast dye
C) Acetaminophen
D) Codeine
,Answer: B) Iodine-based contrast dye
Rationale: Shellfish allergy correlates with iodine allergy due to shared antigens. Contrast
dye used in CT/MRI contains iodine.
5. Which of the following is the correct order of donning PPE?
A) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
B) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
C) Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
D) Gown, mask, gloves, goggles
Answer: A) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
Rationale: Gown first, then mask, eye protection, finally gloves (to avoid contamination).
6. The normal adult respiratory rate is:
A) 8-12 breaths/min
B) 12-20 breaths/min
C) 20-30 breaths/min
D) 30-40 breaths/min
Answer: B) 12-20 breaths/min
Rationale: 12-20 is normal adult range. <12 = bradypnea; >20 = tachypnea.
7. To obtain an accurate orthostatic blood pressure, the MA should:
A) Take BP supine, then immediately standing
B) Wait 1 minute between position changes
C) Take BP sitting, then after walking
D) Use a different arm each time
Answer: B) Wait 1 minute between position changes
Rationale: Allow time for cardiovascular adjustment. Measure supine → sitting → standing
with 1-2 min intervals.
8. A fasting blood glucose level of 65 mg/dL indicates:
A) Normal
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Diabetes mellitus
Answer: C) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Normal fasting glucose = 70-99 mg/dL. <70 = hypoglycemia; >126 = diabetes.
,9. When performing a capillary puncture, which finger is preferred?
A) Index finger
B) Middle or ring finger
C) Thumb
D) Little finger
Answer: B) Middle or ring finger
Rationale: Less calloused, less sensitive, and lower risk of hitting bone. Avoid thumb (pulse)
and index (more nerve endings).
10. The medical assistant witnesses a patient fall in the waiting room. The first action is:
A) Call 911
B) Move patient to a chair
C) Assess for injury and consciousness
D) Get the provider immediately
Answer: C) Assess for injury and consciousness
Rationale: Primary survey first (ABCs). Do not move patient until spine injury ruled out.
11. The proper way to clean a wound before bandaging is:
A) From the center outward
B) From the outer edge inward
C) In a zigzag pattern
D) Using circular motions toward the heart
Answer: A) From the center outward
Rationale: Prevents reintroducing bacteria from edges into the wound.
12. Which pulse site is used during CPR for infants?
A) Carotid
B) Radial
C) Brachial
D) Femoral
Answer: C) Brachial
Rationale: For infants (<1 year), brachial pulse is palpated. Carotid is used for
adults/children.
13. A patient with a history of seizures suddenly begins convulsing. The MA should:
A) Insert a tongue depressor
B) Restrain the patient
C) Move furniture away and place patient on side
D) Administer oral glucose
, Answer: C) Move furniture away and place patient on side
Rationale: Protect from injury. Recovery position prevents aspiration. Never put anything in
mouth.
14. The normal range for adult pulse oximetry (SpO2) is:
A) 80-85%
B) 85-90%
C) 91-94%
D) 95-100%
Answer: D) 95-100%
Rationale: Below 90% indicates hypoxemia; below 85% is severe.
15. When administering an intradermal injection, the needle is inserted at what angle?
A) 5-15 degrees
B) 25-30 degrees
C) 45-60 degrees
D) 90 degrees
Answer: A) 5-15 degrees
Rationale: Intradermal (e.g., TB test) is almost flat, just under epidermis. Subcutaneous =
45°, IM = 90°.
16. A patient refuses a prescribed medication. The MA should:
A) Insist the patient take it
B) Document refusal and notify provider
C) Hide it in food
D) Ask family to force it
Answer: B) Document refusal and notify provider
Rationale: Patient has right to refuse. Document and report to provider.
17. The maximum volume for an intramuscular injection in the deltoid is:
A) 0.5 mL
B) 1 mL
C) 2 mL
D) 3 mL
Answer: B) 1 mL
Rationale: Deltoid max 1 mL (adult). Vastus lateralis/gluteal can take up to 3-4 mL.
