NHA: Medical Assistant (CCMA) Certification Practice Test 2.0 C
A medical assistant is collecting a urine specimen from a patient for a drug screening. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take to adhere to the chain of custody for this specimen? Correct
Answer: Send the specimen to the testing laboratory on the same day as the collection.
A medical assistant is preparing to collect a patient's temperature via the tympanic membrane. In which
of the following locations should the assistant place the thermometer? Correct Answer: In the ear
The tympanic membrane is located in the ear canal.
When preparing a patient for Holter monitoring, which of the following actions should a medical
assistant take? Correct Answer: 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? Correct Answer: Immediately following the procedure.
Wen should the code on glucose curettes be compared to the code on the glucometer? Correct Answer:
Before a patient is tested.
Which of the following terms should a medical assistant use to tell a provider that a patient is having
discomfort and difficulty breathing? Correct Answer: Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing
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? Correct Answer: It is a medication that suppresses the cough reflex.
Which of the following stages of the cardiac cycle on an EKG strip represents ventricular depolarization?
Correct Answer: QRS complex
The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization (VD).
A medical assistant is speaking with a patient who has seasonal allergies. Which of the following health
care providers should the assistant identify as being able to make a diagnosis and initiate the necessary
treatment? Correct Answer: physician assistant
A medical assistant is to use the Snellen chart to test an adult patients visual activity. The assistant
should instruct the patient to stand which of the following distances away? Correct Answer: 20 feet
Which of the following types of written correspondence can be signed by a medical assistant? Correct
Answer: A notification letter to a patient about surgery arrangements.
An assistant can sign a notification letter to a patient about surgery and medical facility arrangements.
,A medical assistant is measuring the circumference of an infants head. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take? Correct Answer: Place the zero mark of the measuring tape against the
infants forehead.
A medical assistant is checking a patients hearing using the Rinne test. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take? Correct Answer: Ask the patient to raise his hand when he no longer hears
any sound.
A medical assistant is examining the skin on a patients forearm where the patient reports developing a
rash. The assistant notes multiple solid elevations that are less than 0.5 cm (0.2 in) in diameter. Which of
the following terms should he use to document his observation in the patients medical record? Correct
Answer: Papules
Papules are solid elevations that are less than 0.5 cm (0.2 in) in diameter. A common cause is allergic
eczema.
A medical assistant receives a call from a patient who is irate about a letter she received from her
insurance carrier denying a claim. Which of the following statements should the assistant make? Correct
Answer: "Let's see if there is something we can do at our end. I'll ask our claims specialists to review the
claim."
A patient is entitled to which of the following medical records? Correct Answer: list of medications with
diagnosis
A medical assistant is measuring a patents blood pressure with an aneroid sphygmomanometer and a
stethoscope. Which of the following actions should the assistant take? Correct Answer: Make sure the
midpoint of the patients arm is at the level of the patients heart.
A medical assistant is preparing to perform a capillary collection from an older adult patient who has
poor circulation in his hands. Which of the following techniques should the assistant use to increase
circulation at the collection site? Correct Answer: Warm the patients hand.
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? Correct Answer: Validate the patients signature.
Which of the following terms describes the body's internal adaptation and change to keep body
functions in balance? Correct Answer: Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the body's internal adaptation and change to keep the body functions within balance.
A medical assistant in an acute care facility is checking in 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? Correct Answer: Document the statement in the
patients chart.
The assistant should document the patients wishes in the patients chart. By documenting the patients
statement, the provider will have the patient's statement to refer to if a blood transfusion is
recommended at a later time.
, 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 patients health
history and laboratory results? Correct Answer: Database
A medical assistant is reviewing the laboratory results of a patient who has the Epstein Barr virus. The
assistant should identify that this micro-organism can cause which of the following conditions? Correct
Answer: Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis is a contagious disease that is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus.
A medical assistant is discussing information with a patient about a new medication that the provider
prescribed. Which of the following actions should the assistant take? Correct Answer: Reinforce
teaching about the frequency of medication administration.
Which of the following techniques should a medical assistant use to put a 7 year old hold at ease prior to
administering an injection? Correct Answer: Explain the procedure to the child in simple steps.
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who as a body mass index (BMI) of 23. This patient should be
categorized as which of the following? Correct Answer: Normal weight
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is within the normal weight range for a healthy adult.
According to OSHA guidelines for universal precautions, which of the following types of patient contact
would require a medical assistant to wear gloves, a mask, a face shield, and protective apparel? Correct
Answer: Assisting a provider with the removal of a cyst.
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 information is required on the form? Correct Answer:
Current procedural terminology code.
A provider requests a medical assistant to initiate a referral fora patient to a mental health facility.
Which of the following pieces of information is required for the assistant to include in the initial referral?
Correct Answer: Diagnosis
A medical assistant discovers an unidentifiable liquid on the floor of one of the clinics treatment rooms.
Which of the following materials should the assistant use to remove and dispose of the liquid? Correct
Answer: A clean-up kit
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? Correct Answer: Insert the tips of the cannula into the patients nostrils.
The primary code in the CPT coding system consists of how many digits? Correct Answer: Five digits
A medical assistant is preparing to draw venous blood samples. The assistant is required by OSHA
regulations to wear which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment while performing
this procedure? Correct Answer: Gloves
A medical assistant is collecting a urine specimen from a patient for a drug screening. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take to adhere to the chain of custody for this specimen? Correct
Answer: Send the specimen to the testing laboratory on the same day as the collection.
A medical assistant is preparing to collect a patient's temperature via the tympanic membrane. In which
of the following locations should the assistant place the thermometer? Correct Answer: In the ear
The tympanic membrane is located in the ear canal.
When preparing a patient for Holter monitoring, which of the following actions should a medical
assistant take? Correct Answer: 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? Correct Answer: Immediately following the procedure.
Wen should the code on glucose curettes be compared to the code on the glucometer? Correct Answer:
Before a patient is tested.
Which of the following terms should a medical assistant use to tell a provider that a patient is having
discomfort and difficulty breathing? Correct Answer: Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing
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? Correct Answer: It is a medication that suppresses the cough reflex.
Which of the following stages of the cardiac cycle on an EKG strip represents ventricular depolarization?
Correct Answer: QRS complex
The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization (VD).
A medical assistant is speaking with a patient who has seasonal allergies. Which of the following health
care providers should the assistant identify as being able to make a diagnosis and initiate the necessary
treatment? Correct Answer: physician assistant
A medical assistant is to use the Snellen chart to test an adult patients visual activity. The assistant
should instruct the patient to stand which of the following distances away? Correct Answer: 20 feet
Which of the following types of written correspondence can be signed by a medical assistant? Correct
Answer: A notification letter to a patient about surgery arrangements.
An assistant can sign a notification letter to a patient about surgery and medical facility arrangements.
,A medical assistant is measuring the circumference of an infants head. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take? Correct Answer: Place the zero mark of the measuring tape against the
infants forehead.
A medical assistant is checking a patients hearing using the Rinne test. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take? Correct Answer: Ask the patient to raise his hand when he no longer hears
any sound.
A medical assistant is examining the skin on a patients forearm where the patient reports developing a
rash. The assistant notes multiple solid elevations that are less than 0.5 cm (0.2 in) in diameter. Which of
the following terms should he use to document his observation in the patients medical record? Correct
Answer: Papules
Papules are solid elevations that are less than 0.5 cm (0.2 in) in diameter. A common cause is allergic
eczema.
A medical assistant receives a call from a patient who is irate about a letter she received from her
insurance carrier denying a claim. Which of the following statements should the assistant make? Correct
Answer: "Let's see if there is something we can do at our end. I'll ask our claims specialists to review the
claim."
A patient is entitled to which of the following medical records? Correct Answer: list of medications with
diagnosis
A medical assistant is measuring a patents blood pressure with an aneroid sphygmomanometer and a
stethoscope. Which of the following actions should the assistant take? Correct Answer: Make sure the
midpoint of the patients arm is at the level of the patients heart.
A medical assistant is preparing to perform a capillary collection from an older adult patient who has
poor circulation in his hands. Which of the following techniques should the assistant use to increase
circulation at the collection site? Correct Answer: Warm the patients hand.
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? Correct Answer: Validate the patients signature.
Which of the following terms describes the body's internal adaptation and change to keep body
functions in balance? Correct Answer: Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the body's internal adaptation and change to keep the body functions within balance.
A medical assistant in an acute care facility is checking in 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? Correct Answer: Document the statement in the
patients chart.
The assistant should document the patients wishes in the patients chart. By documenting the patients
statement, the provider will have the patient's statement to refer to if a blood transfusion is
recommended at a later time.
, 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 patients health
history and laboratory results? Correct Answer: Database
A medical assistant is reviewing the laboratory results of a patient who has the Epstein Barr virus. The
assistant should identify that this micro-organism can cause which of the following conditions? Correct
Answer: Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis is a contagious disease that is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus.
A medical assistant is discussing information with a patient about a new medication that the provider
prescribed. Which of the following actions should the assistant take? Correct Answer: Reinforce
teaching about the frequency of medication administration.
Which of the following techniques should a medical assistant use to put a 7 year old hold at ease prior to
administering an injection? Correct Answer: Explain the procedure to the child in simple steps.
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who as a body mass index (BMI) of 23. This patient should be
categorized as which of the following? Correct Answer: Normal weight
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is within the normal weight range for a healthy adult.
According to OSHA guidelines for universal precautions, which of the following types of patient contact
would require a medical assistant to wear gloves, a mask, a face shield, and protective apparel? Correct
Answer: Assisting a provider with the removal of a cyst.
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 information is required on the form? Correct Answer:
Current procedural terminology code.
A provider requests a medical assistant to initiate a referral fora patient to a mental health facility.
Which of the following pieces of information is required for the assistant to include in the initial referral?
Correct Answer: Diagnosis
A medical assistant discovers an unidentifiable liquid on the floor of one of the clinics treatment rooms.
Which of the following materials should the assistant use to remove and dispose of the liquid? Correct
Answer: A clean-up kit
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? Correct Answer: Insert the tips of the cannula into the patients nostrils.
The primary code in the CPT coding system consists of how many digits? Correct Answer: Five digits
A medical assistant is preparing to draw venous blood samples. The assistant is required by OSHA
regulations to wear which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment while performing
this procedure? Correct Answer: Gloves
