Medical Assistant NHA Study Questions
Dyspnea
Which of the following terms should a medical assistant use to tell a provider that a
patient is having discomfort and difficulty breathing?
Order additional laboratory tests to confirm patient's condition
Which of the following is outside of a medical assistant's scope of practice?
Receive and prepare tissue specimens for processing
When assisting a provider with a punch biopsy of a mole, which of the following tasks
should a medical assistant expect to perform?
Call for help and begin CPR
A patient loses consciousness. The EKG reveals ventricular fibrillation. Which of the
following actions should a medical assistant take first?
Remove your nail polish before the test
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient about pulse oximetry. Which of
the following statements should the assistant include in the teaching?
Instruct the patient to contact the insurer about the denial of payment
A medical assistant receives a denial of payment for a patient's cholecystectomy. The
reason stated is "noncovered service." If this procedure was deemed emergent by the
provider, which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Potassium 3mEq/L
Which of the following laboratory results should the medical assistant recognize is
abnormal?
Digestive
A medical assistant is scheduling diagnostic tests for a patient's liver and pancreas.
Which of the following systems is being assessed?
Negligence
The medical assistant drops an instrument on the floor while setting up a sterile tray for
a procedure. He picks up the instrument and places it back on the sterile field. A few
days after the procedure, the patient calls the office concerned that the area
surrounding the procedure site is infected. Which of the following torts has the assistant
committed?
Hold the needle by its wings
A medical assistant is using a butterfly needle set to obtain a blood sample from a vein
in the patient's hand. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Helminths
The parent of a child who has pinworms is asking a medical assistant for more
information about his child's condition. The assistant should begin by explaining that
pinworms are which of the following types of microorganisms?
Recent laboratory results
Prior to a patient's follow-up appointment, which of the following information should a
medical assistant report to the provider?
Cilia
Which of the following cell structures is instrumental in helping the body mobilize and
secrete mucus from the respiratory tract?
Liniments contain a higher portion of oil than medicated lotions
,A patient asks a medical assistant to explain the difference between a liniment and a
medicated lotion. Which of the following responses should the assistant make?
Lower the horizontal bar gently so that it rests on the top of the patient's head
A medical assistant is using a scale with a height bar to measure a patient's height.
Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL
A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's medical history prior to the patient's
appointment. Which of the following laboratory results indicates the need to schedule an
extension of the current visit?
Letterhead, envelopes, business cards
Which of the following items in a medical office are considered administrative office
supplies?
Parentage testing
A medical assistant should follow chain of custody guidelines for which of the following
types of laboratory results?
I know you are concerned about your test results. We will call you as soon as
your results come in.
A medical assistant receives a telephone call from a patient who seems anxious about
the results of a test. Which of the following responses should the assistant make?
Review the day's encounter forms to determine if another patient received the
services.
A patient reports getting a bill that included services she did not receive. Which of the
following actions should a medical assistant take to reconcile these charges?
Left heel
A medical assistant 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?
90 degrees
A medical assistant is assisting a patient who is obese with an insulin injection. Which of
the following is the correct angle for this patient's injection?
150/95
A MA is measuring the vital signs of an adult patient. The assistant should identify which
of the following blood pressure readings as primary hypertension?
Nitroglycerin
A MA is reviewing the list of medications a patient reports currently taking. The assistant
should recognize which of the medications is available in sublingual form?
To prove that the office was not negligent
A patient calls the clinic to cancel a postoperative appointment and states that she will
reschedule at a later date. For which of the following reasons should the medical
assistant document this information on the patient's chart?
Coach the patient through the test
Which of the following is a medical assistant's role in pulmonary function testing (PFT)?
Call the pharmacy to confirm receipt of the faxed prescription
A medical assistant is faxing a prescription to a patient's pharmacy. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take?
Pears with skin
,A medical assistant is encouraging a patient to increase her intake of insoluble fiber to
help prevent constipation and hemorrhoids. Which of the following foods should the
assistant recommend as the best source of insoluble fiber?
Disinfection
Which of the following techniques should a medical assistant use for the routine
cleaning of EKG cables?
Parasitic
The parent of a child who has pediculosis is asking a MA for more information about her
child's condition. The MA should begin by explaining that pediculosis is which of the
following types of infection?
Remittance advice
Which of the following methods is used to notify a provider of the denial of an insurance
carrier?
Observe the patient as she performs a self demonstration
Which of the following techniques should a medical assistant use to confirm a patient's
understanding of insulin administration?
Using an over the counter vaginal cream prior to the test
A MA is contacting a patient to schedule a repeat papanicolaou test due to abnormal
results. The MA should identify that which of the following factors can interfere with the
test results?
Check capillary refill in the patient's finger
A MA is measuring a patient's oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter. Which of the
following actions should the MA take?
Whistleblower Protection Act
Which of the following pieces of legislation keeps health care staff from retaliation by
their employer when they report cases of patient neglect or abuse?
ac
A MA is transcribing a prescription for a medication that a patient should take before
meals. Which of the following abbreviations should the MA use to indicate when the
patient should take the medication?
Ask the patient if he hears the vibration louder in one ear than the other
A MA is checking a patient's hearing using the Weber test. Which of the following
actions should the MA take?
Patients arrive at their convenience and are seen on a first come first serve basis
A medical assistant works at an urgent care center that use open hour scheduling.
Which of the following describes this form of scheduling?
On the left anterior ancillary line, horizontal to V4
Where should a MA place the electrode for lead V5?
Cap the tubes to avoid emission of aerosols
When using a centrifuge a medical assistant must do which of the following to ensure
safety and accuracy?
Place the zero mark of the measuring tape against the infant's forehead
A MA is measuring the circumference of an infant's head. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take?
Sanitization
, A medical assistant is responsible for cleaning the instruments used in a minor surgery.
Which of the following is the first step in this process?
Interrupted baseline
Which of the following is caused by a disconnected electrode and results in the tracing
going into the margins of the paper?
Sterilization
A medical assistant needs to remove all living organisms from a contaminated towel
clamp. Which of the following methods should the assistant use to clean the
instrument?
Daytime phone number
Which of the following information should the medical assistant enter into the
appointment calendar when scheduling a patient fro a skin rash?
Hemostat
A medical assistant is preparing to assist a provider with suturing a wound. Which of the
following items should be in the sterile field for this procedure?
Problem focused examination
A patient is seen in an urgent care center for a laceration to the left food. The provider
evaluation of the injury determines sutures are not needed and applies a dressing, and
releases the patient. Which of the following examination should a medical assistant use
for the procedural coding for this visit?
Gown
A medical assistant is assisting with the physical examination of a patient who has
scabies. Besides gloves which of the following pieces of PPE should the assistant
wear?
Syncope
During a routine venipuncture, the patient becomes pale and diaphoretic. What
condition is most likely to occur in this patient?
Inject the medication slowly
A medical assistant is administering heparin subcutaneously to a patient. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take?
Apply thin ribbon of ointment along the conjunctival sac
A medical assistant is administering eye ointment to a patient. Which of the following
actions should the assistant take?
I will roll the bottle between my hands before drawing the medication
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient about self-administration of
insulin. Which of the following patient statements indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
Hello, welcome to our office.
A first time patient is late arriving to the office. Which of the following should the medical
assistant say first?
Physician assistant
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 indicate necessary treatment?
Cleanse the site in a circular motion from the center outward
Dyspnea
Which of the following terms should a medical assistant use to tell a provider that a
patient is having discomfort and difficulty breathing?
Order additional laboratory tests to confirm patient's condition
Which of the following is outside of a medical assistant's scope of practice?
Receive and prepare tissue specimens for processing
When assisting a provider with a punch biopsy of a mole, which of the following tasks
should a medical assistant expect to perform?
Call for help and begin CPR
A patient loses consciousness. The EKG reveals ventricular fibrillation. Which of the
following actions should a medical assistant take first?
Remove your nail polish before the test
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient about pulse oximetry. Which of
the following statements should the assistant include in the teaching?
Instruct the patient to contact the insurer about the denial of payment
A medical assistant receives a denial of payment for a patient's cholecystectomy. The
reason stated is "noncovered service." If this procedure was deemed emergent by the
provider, which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Potassium 3mEq/L
Which of the following laboratory results should the medical assistant recognize is
abnormal?
Digestive
A medical assistant is scheduling diagnostic tests for a patient's liver and pancreas.
Which of the following systems is being assessed?
Negligence
The medical assistant drops an instrument on the floor while setting up a sterile tray for
a procedure. He picks up the instrument and places it back on the sterile field. A few
days after the procedure, the patient calls the office concerned that the area
surrounding the procedure site is infected. Which of the following torts has the assistant
committed?
Hold the needle by its wings
A medical assistant is using a butterfly needle set to obtain a blood sample from a vein
in the patient's hand. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Helminths
The parent of a child who has pinworms is asking a medical assistant for more
information about his child's condition. The assistant should begin by explaining that
pinworms are which of the following types of microorganisms?
Recent laboratory results
Prior to a patient's follow-up appointment, which of the following information should a
medical assistant report to the provider?
Cilia
Which of the following cell structures is instrumental in helping the body mobilize and
secrete mucus from the respiratory tract?
Liniments contain a higher portion of oil than medicated lotions
,A patient asks a medical assistant to explain the difference between a liniment and a
medicated lotion. Which of the following responses should the assistant make?
Lower the horizontal bar gently so that it rests on the top of the patient's head
A medical assistant is using a scale with a height bar to measure a patient's height.
Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL
A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's medical history prior to the patient's
appointment. Which of the following laboratory results indicates the need to schedule an
extension of the current visit?
Letterhead, envelopes, business cards
Which of the following items in a medical office are considered administrative office
supplies?
Parentage testing
A medical assistant should follow chain of custody guidelines for which of the following
types of laboratory results?
I know you are concerned about your test results. We will call you as soon as
your results come in.
A medical assistant receives a telephone call from a patient who seems anxious about
the results of a test. Which of the following responses should the assistant make?
Review the day's encounter forms to determine if another patient received the
services.
A patient reports getting a bill that included services she did not receive. Which of the
following actions should a medical assistant take to reconcile these charges?
Left heel
A medical assistant 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?
90 degrees
A medical assistant is assisting a patient who is obese with an insulin injection. Which of
the following is the correct angle for this patient's injection?
150/95
A MA is measuring the vital signs of an adult patient. The assistant should identify which
of the following blood pressure readings as primary hypertension?
Nitroglycerin
A MA is reviewing the list of medications a patient reports currently taking. The assistant
should recognize which of the medications is available in sublingual form?
To prove that the office was not negligent
A patient calls the clinic to cancel a postoperative appointment and states that she will
reschedule at a later date. For which of the following reasons should the medical
assistant document this information on the patient's chart?
Coach the patient through the test
Which of the following is a medical assistant's role in pulmonary function testing (PFT)?
Call the pharmacy to confirm receipt of the faxed prescription
A medical assistant is faxing a prescription to a patient's pharmacy. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take?
Pears with skin
,A medical assistant is encouraging a patient to increase her intake of insoluble fiber to
help prevent constipation and hemorrhoids. Which of the following foods should the
assistant recommend as the best source of insoluble fiber?
Disinfection
Which of the following techniques should a medical assistant use for the routine
cleaning of EKG cables?
Parasitic
The parent of a child who has pediculosis is asking a MA for more information about her
child's condition. The MA should begin by explaining that pediculosis is which of the
following types of infection?
Remittance advice
Which of the following methods is used to notify a provider of the denial of an insurance
carrier?
Observe the patient as she performs a self demonstration
Which of the following techniques should a medical assistant use to confirm a patient's
understanding of insulin administration?
Using an over the counter vaginal cream prior to the test
A MA is contacting a patient to schedule a repeat papanicolaou test due to abnormal
results. The MA should identify that which of the following factors can interfere with the
test results?
Check capillary refill in the patient's finger
A MA is measuring a patient's oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter. Which of the
following actions should the MA take?
Whistleblower Protection Act
Which of the following pieces of legislation keeps health care staff from retaliation by
their employer when they report cases of patient neglect or abuse?
ac
A MA is transcribing a prescription for a medication that a patient should take before
meals. Which of the following abbreviations should the MA use to indicate when the
patient should take the medication?
Ask the patient if he hears the vibration louder in one ear than the other
A MA is checking a patient's hearing using the Weber test. Which of the following
actions should the MA take?
Patients arrive at their convenience and are seen on a first come first serve basis
A medical assistant works at an urgent care center that use open hour scheduling.
Which of the following describes this form of scheduling?
On the left anterior ancillary line, horizontal to V4
Where should a MA place the electrode for lead V5?
Cap the tubes to avoid emission of aerosols
When using a centrifuge a medical assistant must do which of the following to ensure
safety and accuracy?
Place the zero mark of the measuring tape against the infant's forehead
A MA is measuring the circumference of an infant's head. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take?
Sanitization
, A medical assistant is responsible for cleaning the instruments used in a minor surgery.
Which of the following is the first step in this process?
Interrupted baseline
Which of the following is caused by a disconnected electrode and results in the tracing
going into the margins of the paper?
Sterilization
A medical assistant needs to remove all living organisms from a contaminated towel
clamp. Which of the following methods should the assistant use to clean the
instrument?
Daytime phone number
Which of the following information should the medical assistant enter into the
appointment calendar when scheduling a patient fro a skin rash?
Hemostat
A medical assistant is preparing to assist a provider with suturing a wound. Which of the
following items should be in the sterile field for this procedure?
Problem focused examination
A patient is seen in an urgent care center for a laceration to the left food. The provider
evaluation of the injury determines sutures are not needed and applies a dressing, and
releases the patient. Which of the following examination should a medical assistant use
for the procedural coding for this visit?
Gown
A medical assistant is assisting with the physical examination of a patient who has
scabies. Besides gloves which of the following pieces of PPE should the assistant
wear?
Syncope
During a routine venipuncture, the patient becomes pale and diaphoretic. What
condition is most likely to occur in this patient?
Inject the medication slowly
A medical assistant is administering heparin subcutaneously to a patient. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take?
Apply thin ribbon of ointment along the conjunctival sac
A medical assistant is administering eye ointment to a patient. Which of the following
actions should the assistant take?
I will roll the bottle between my hands before drawing the medication
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient about self-administration of
insulin. Which of the following patient statements indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
Hello, welcome to our office.
A first time patient is late arriving to the office. Which of the following should the medical
assistant say first?
Physician assistant
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 indicate necessary treatment?
Cleanse the site in a circular motion from the center outward
