Prepare for the NHA Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam with these practice test questions and answers. This guide covers clinical procedures and administrative skills.
Q: You are drawing on a patient who becomes dizzy, sweaty, and flushed. What are they experiencing?
Answer: syncope
Q: What is the best position to place a patient in if they are experiencing critically low blood pressure?
Answer: trendlenburg
Q: When should a medical assistant verify a new patient’s insurance information?
Answer: When the appointment is scheduled
Q: How would a medical assistant handle an irate or angry patient about a bill they had received?
Answer: Listen to the patient’s concerns and try to resolve the issue
Q: What should you have handy when assisting a provider for a post-operative suture removal?
Answer: Sterile thumb dressing forceps
Q: What would be the most appropriate position to place a patient in for a vaginal exam?
Answer: Lithotomy
Q: What would describe the reversible transfer of a drug from one location to another within the body?
Answer: Distribution
Q: When a patient is changing a transdermal patch, what is the first thing they should do?
Answer: Document the date and time on each new pad applied to the patient
Q: When should a medical assistant disinfect an exam room?
Answer: After each patient encounter
Q: How would a medical assistant weigh a patient who either has Vertigo or are having trouble balancing themselves?
Answer: Position a walker over the scale and have the patient hold onto it
Q: If a medical assistant suspects that a pediatric patient as being abused, what is the next action to be taken?
Answer: Notify the provider
Q: How would a medical assistant calculate BMI on a patient?
Answer: Height and weight
Q: What tort law violation would be deception with the intent to deprive another person of their rights?
Answer: Fraud
Q: If a patient is given an advance beneficiary notice for an elective plastic surgery, who would be the responsible party for paying the charges incurred?
Answer: The patient
Q: How would a medical office dispose of a full sharps container?
Answer: Document the proper removal of the container into the facility log book
Q: When using CPT main text, what code should be used to show that one procedure was used multiple times on a patient?
Answer: Modifier
Q: What should a medical assistant document on a patient’s requisition form when delivering a specimen for a wound culture to the microbiology department?
Answer: If the patient has been, or is still on, an antibiotic
Q: What should be used to clean the floor after an accidental blood spill?
Answer: 1:10 solution of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution
Q: What is the main goals or purpose of patient centered care?
Answer: To include the patient and their family or loved ones in the patient’s care
Q: If you fail to knock on a patient’s door or enter without permission come on this is considered which of the following?
Answer: Invasion of privacy
Q: If a medical assistance suspects intimate spousal abuse, what would be the most appropriate action?
Answer: Present to the patient a list of resources and organizations for help
Q: To which part of the body would a figure 8 bandage be applied?
Answer: Ankle
Q: What would be considered part of the chain of infection?
Answer: Reservoir host
Q: What should the medical assistant do if they notice a patient is sweating during a cardiac stress test?
Answer: Continue with a stress test as this as a normal reaction
Q: Foods rich in iodine include:
Answer: Shellfish
Q: How far should a patient be standing away from a vision chart when performing a distance visual examination?
Answer: 20 feet
Q: Which of the following patients would have an apical pulse rate outside the normal range?
Answer: 10 week-old infant with a HR of 70 bpm
Q: What drug type would be prescribed to a patient to help lower body temperature?
Answer: Antipyretic
Q: What is the proper way to clean a site for venipuncture?
Answer: Clean with a circular motion from inside to out
Q: In which section would a medical assistant document a patient’s vital signs?
Answer: Objective
Q: What type of fever is characterized by temperatures that come and go?
Answer: Intermittent
Q: If a laboratory specimen requires an anaerobic collection container, be cautious not to unduly exposed the specimen to:
Answer: Oxygen
Q: Which position should the patient be in when performing a EKG?
Answer: Supine
Q: A medical assistant has been notified by a patient that she is refusing a particular medication. What response is the most appropriate?
Answer: Ask the patient to elaborate on her concerns about this medication
Q: When performing a capillary finger stick on a one-year-old patient, what is the most important step to follow?
Answer: Ask the child’s parent or guardian to hold a child securely during the procedure
Q: A medical assistant is educating a patient who has recently had coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Which organization could the medical assistant refer the patient to for additional information about their disease?
Answer: American Heart Association
Q: How would you file a problem-oriented medical record?
Answer: Chronological
Q: A medical assistant is billing a patient from an outpatient facility? Which universal claim form would the medical assistant submit for reimbursement?
Answer: CMS-1500
Q: If a patient has her arms crossed, leaning back in the chair, and looking at the ceiling, which emotion are they most likely feeling?
Answer: Angry
Q: Which of the following conditions is most likely to be caused by smoking?
Answer: Atherosclerosis
Q: What should patients always be provided when educating them on HIPAA?
Answer: Confidentiality statement
Q: A medical assistant has arrived to the phlebotomy room and a patient is already present. What is the next step that the medical assistant should take?
Answer: Identify the patient using two identifiers
Q: Part of a medical assistant’s job is to provide:
Answer: Pre- and post-operative instructions
Q: A provider is running extremely late. After apologizing, what would be the next step the medical assistant should take to communicate with the waiting patients?
Answer: Offer to reschedule appointments
Q: When autoclaving surgical instruments for sterilization, what solution should be used?
Answer: Distilled water
Q: The most appropriate action to take to ensure quality control testing on a urine dipstick tests, the medical assistant should do what?
Answer: Verify the reagent solution expiration date
Q: Spontaneity and creativity corresponds to which level in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
Answer: Self-actualization
Q: Where does electrical conduction begin and a healthy human heart?
Answer: Sinoatrial (SA) node
Q: What type of measurements would be used to complete a growth chart?
Answer: Anthropometric
Q: Which of the following tasks would require the use of gloves?
Answer: Removal of a cyst
Q: What is an example of implied consent?
Answer: The patient removes her clothes for an examination
Q: A medical assistant instructs a patient not to use bronchodilators prior to which tests?
Answer: Pulmonary function test
Q: What is the most appropriate site for an intramuscular injection on an infant?
Answer: Vastus lateralis
Q: Which of the following is a reason to perform eye irrigation on a patient?
Answer: To flush the eye and relieve inflammation and discomfort
Q: A medical assistant should use a winged infusion set for which of the following?
Answer: Small or fragile veins
Q: A fecal occult blood test is screening to find which of the following in a stool sample?
Answer: Erythrocytes
Q: If a medical assistant inadvertently documents inaccurate information in a patient’s electronic medical record (EMR), which of the following is the next proper course of action?
Answer: Create a new note
Q: A patient with limited mobility is being transferred from a sitting position to a bed by a medical sistant working alone. Which of the following actions must be taken?
Answer: Bend at the knees when lifting the patient
Q: Which of the following would be considered a HIPAA violation?
Answer: Discussing a patient’s medical diagnosis in the facility elevator
Q: For the medical assistant to maintain a sterile field while assisting with a procedure, which of the following should he adhere to?
Answer: Place sterile instruments gently on to the sterile field
Q: One of the possible side effects of chemotherapy treatment is hair loss. What term means “hair loss”?
Answer: Alopecia
Q: Informing the patient of the risks, benefits, and potential outcomes of a procedure is called:
Answer: Informed consent
Q: How would a medical assistant prepare a blood specimen for transport to and outside laboratory?
Answer: Place to requisition in the outer pocket of the transport bag
Q: What is the proper way to clean a patient’s wound?
Answer: Clean from center of wound outwards
Q: Scheduling three patients to arrive at the same time for each hour of the day and seeing them in the order they arrive is which type of scheduling?
Answer: Wave scheduling
Q: If a medical assistant spills blood on her uniform, she should do which of the following?
Answer: Complete the procedure
Q: A patient takes Excedrin for a migraine headache. This is an example of which of the following?
Answer: Indication
Q: The medical assistant finds packages of autoclave sterile instruments with no dates on the packages. What is the most appropriate action for the medical assistant to take?
Answer: Repackage and reprocess the instruments
Q: How many compressions per minute should be performed during CPR?
Answer: 100
Q: What is included inside the package to properly prepare instruments for sterilization in the autoclave?
Answer: Sterilization indicators
Q: Of the following, which is considered outside the scope of practice for a medical assistant?
Answer: Identifying pathogenic microorganisms
Q: What pharmacokinetic process is disrupted if a patient has a diseased liver?
Answer: Metabolism
Q: Why is it necessary for the medical assistant to educate patients?
Answer: It allows patients to actively participate in their medical care
Q: A patient in your care as experiencing a hypoglycemic emergency. Of the following, which is the most appropriate action to be taken by the medical assistant to help this patient?
Answer: Give the patient Orange juice to drink
Q: What eye chart is used to detect color blindness?
Answer: Ishihara chart
Q: Where would a medical assistant place the ground lead of an EKG to decrease interference?
Answer: Right leg
Q: Why is it important to invert laboratory tubes after performing phlebotomy?
Answer: To properly mix additives with the blood
Q: What is the term used to describe decreased flow of oxygen-rich blood to a body part?
Answer: Ischemia
Q: Prolonged tourniquet application longer than one minute can cause which of the following to the blood sample?
Answer: Hemoconcentration
Q: What is the function of hemostasis?
Answer: Promotes coagulation
Q: Parathyroid hormone is associated with the regulation of which element in the body?
Answer: Calcium
Q: One of the Joint Commission’s main goals in patient safety is to:
Answer: Identify patient’s correctly
Q: Which of the following should the medical assistant perform to maintain quality control for CLIA-waived testing?
Answer: Performing tests under supervision
Q: What is the definition of aerophagia?
Answer: Swallowing air
Q: Which form would a medical assistant use to document a patient’s next scheduled office visit?
Answer: Encounter form
Q: Mrs. Miller comes to the office with symptoms of body aches, cough, and fever. This could indicate a diagnosis of:
Answer: Influenza
Q: Where should the leads of an EKG be placed if patient is known to have dextrocardia (condition in which the apex of the heart is oriented towards the patient’s right side)?
Answer: Precordial (chest)
Q: What is the correct position to place a patient when obtaining a rectal temperature?
Answer: Sims
Q: How would a medical assistant start the disinfection process for soiled surgical instruments?
Answer: Rinse the instruments under cold water
Q: The medical assistant notices that the provider is taking a patient’s heart rate by checking the apical pulse. Which is the most likely age group for this patient?
Answer: Infants
Q: What should the medical assistant take into consideration when selecting the appropriate cuff size for a patient prior to taking his blood pressure?
Answer: Weight
Q: What is the correct definition of the term “basal state”?
Answer: Not eating anything for 12 hours
Q: Where should the medical assistant place a tape measure to measure the circumference of an infants head?
Answer: Slightly above the eyebrows
Q: If a patient is having an emotional crisis and their blood pressure is elevated, what should the medical existent do?
Answer: Recheck the blood pressure after giving the patient time to calm down
Q: Low to mid back pain could be a sign of:
Answer: Pyelonephritis (inflammation of kidney)
Q: When a patient is being given an Influenza vaccination, which of the following information should be documented on the patient’s chart?
Answer: Expiration date and lot number of the vaccine
Q: Which cell structure produces energy?
Answer: Mitochondrion
Q: What is the expected observation on an ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)?
Answer: The distance red blood cells (RBC’s) have dropped
Q: In which chamber of the heart is the sinoatrial (SA) node located?
Answer: Right atrium
Q: A medical assistant has documented that a patient is jaundiced, appears to be confused, is anemic, and has had occasional abdominal pain in the past few days, which is indicated of a chronic liver disorder. Which of the following conditions may be present?
Answer: Cirrhosis
Q: What is the most important thing for the medical assistant to remember to do when performing a chain of custody urine drug sample?
Answer: Seal the specimen collection in front of the patient
Q: A patient has a PPO plan and would like to go to a specialist. Which form would the medical assistant use?
Answer: No referral form needed
Q: Retinopathy is a chronic complication of which of the following diseases?
Answer: Diabetes Mellitus
Q: What is the best method to maintain a sterile field?
Answer: Opening the sterile package away from the body
Q: A patient is seeing an orthopedic surgeon. Which part of the health record should the medical assistant include for the provider to review?
Answer: Radiology images and reports
Q: Which is the best definition of the Sim’s position?
Answer: Patient lying on left side with his left leg slightly bent and left arm behind his head
Q: Admitting a patient to the hospital is considered…
Answer: Transition of care
Q: Which method of medication administration allows constant, time release of the medication?
Answer: Transdermal patch
Q: When would a medical assistant start the timer on a glucose tolerance test (GTT)?
Answer: When the patient completes drinking the glucose solution
Q: Scheduling all patients who are having annual physicals on the 1st Friday of the month is considered which type of scheduling?
Answer: Advance booking
Q: Which equipment would be used to evaluate a patient for corrective lenses?
Answer: Ophthalmoscope
Q: Of the following, which is considered proper standard precautions?
Answer: Wearing goggles when processing blood specimens
Q: Cholecystectomy is the removal of which structure?
Answer: Gall bladder
Q: Where should an intramuscular injection be given?
Answer: Vastus Lateralis (upper thigh)
Q: Which of the following can a medical assistant NOT perform?
Answer: Arterial blood gas (ABG)
Q: How would a medical assistant properly clean instruments using aseptic technique?
Answer: Use a cloth brush to remove debris from the instruments
Q: An emergency exit for all employees and patients is required for which of the following life threatening events?
Answer: Fire
Q: Which plane would be the correct definition that divides the body from anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions of the body?
Answer: coronal
Q: Which of the following procedures should be scheduled 1st for a patient because it is less invasive?
Answer: Chest X-ray
Q: What is the correct angle of needle insertion when performing a venipuncture?
Answer: 15°
Q: How should a medical assistant administer and insulin injection?
Answer: Sub-Q (subcutaneous)
Q: The medical assistant was given a requisition for capillary blood draw. Which of the following micro containers should be filled 1st?
Answer: Lavender
Q: How would a medical assistant quality control (QC) a scale to weigh a patient?
Answer: Balance the scale
Q: Which of the following is an example of aseptic technique?
Answer: Washing hands
Q: Which of the following is the mode of transmission for tuberculosis?
Answer: Airborne
Q: If a medical assistant is collecting a urine pregnancy test from a patient, which hormone is being screened?
Answer: Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
Q: A 14 year old patient has come into the office wanting her pregnancy test results. Who should receive the results?
Answer: The 14 year old patient
Q: Which of the following is considered a normal blood pressure (BP)?
Answer: 110/70
Q: Which test would a provider order to confirm diagnosis of anemia?
Answer: Red blood cell (RBC)
Q: To promote patient confidentiality, which of the following would be appropriate to discuss with the patient if the patient is in a crowded waiting room?
Answer: Educating the patient about over all promotion of their health
Q: Which of the following is considered a normal pulse rate?
Answer: 60 bpm – 100 bpm
Q: What is the most important step in performing a capillary skin puncture?
Answer: Wipe off the 1st drop of blood
Q: Which of the following should the medical assistant instruct the patient when teaching the patient about wearing a 24-hour Holter monitor?
Answer: Do not get the monitor wet
Q: Which of the following is considered a normal respiratory rate?
Answer: 12 – 20
Q: How many maneuvers are required of the patient for calculating results while performing a pulmonary function test using spirometry on a patient?
Answer: two
Q: Which of the following medical specialties would treat a patient with diabetes and would most likely order a hemoglobin A1C?
Answer: Endocrinologist
Q: A medical assistant is preparing to administer an intradermal (ID) injection on a patient. Which of the following would be the correct needle gauge to administer the injection?
Answer: 25 ga- 28 ga
Q: To which laboratory department would a light blue top tube be delivered?
Answer: Coagulation
Q: What should the medical assistant do if he reaches across a sterile field?
Answer: Break down the entire field and start over
Q: What could be a risk factor for developing Crohn’s disease?
Answer: Family history
Q: What can a medical assistant do to help EKG electrodes stick in the event they keep falling off?
Answer: Use medical tape to attach the leads
Q: Where would a medical assistant perform a streptococcal test on a patient?
Answer: Orally
Q: What should a medical assistant do if a patient is making an uncomfortable scene in the waiting area due to being angry about the provider being late?
Answer: Ask the patient to join you in a private area of the office to discuss the matter further
Q: Occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) requires:
Answer: The employer to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) free of charge to the employee
Q: The spouse of a patient is demanding a copy of his partner’s medical records. What is the most appropriate action to take and this situation?
Answer: Explain that you are not allowed to release the records regard lus of the relationship to the patient
Q: What is the percentage of isopropyl alcohol a medical assistant should use on a patient’s skin?
Answer: 70%
Q: What information should a medical assistant obtained from a patient who is having an X-ray with contrast?
Answer: Whether the patient is allergic to shellfish
Q: What is the most important step when instructing a patient on collecting urine for a urinalysis?
Answer: Use a sterile cup
Q: Which part of the heart is stimulated after the sinoatrial (SA) node fires?
Answer: Atrioventricular node
Q: The medical assistant is doing a history and physical (H & P) on a patient who says they have had a headache for several days. How would the medical assistant chart this and the patient’s record?
Answer: Chief complaint (CC)
Q: How should a medical assistant ensure patient medical records are stored for safekeeping?
Answer: Backup information on a storage device
Q: How should a medical assistant communicate with a hearing impaired patient who is accompanied by a family member?
Answer: Get an interpreter
Q: Which of the following is classified as an illness you can acquire through airborne transmission?
Answer: Measles
Q: A medical assistant is about to prepare a dosage calculation for medication administration but the provider has failed to order the dosage. Which of the following actions should the medical assistant take?
Answer: Verify the dosage with the provider
Q: Why would a patient insist on taking a buffered or enteric-coated tablet?
Answer: The tablets are coated with a substance that reduce irritation of the stomach
Q: What test would the provider most likely order if a 55 year old female patients chief complaint is night sweats, hot flashes and difficulty sleeping?
Answer: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Q: Where would a medical assistant take a temperature when using a temporal artery thermometer?
Answer: Forehead
Q: How would a medical assistant describe the Korotkoff sound that corresponds to the systolic blood pressure?
Answer: Drumming
Q: If a parent calls the office asking for advice because her child has just swallowed some house cleaning supplies, which of the following would be the most appropriate step to take to handle this call?
Answer: Instruct the parent to call the Local Poison Control Center
Q: What should a medical assistant do if the provider they are working for is about to perform a gynecological pelvic examination on a patient?
Answer: Stay with a patient and assist the provider
Q: What is the medical abbreviation for surgical reconstruction?
Answer: -plasty
Q: Where would a medical assistant place a pulse oximeter, if the hands weren’t available?
Answer: Earlobe
Q: What would the acronym NS mean if it were noticed in a patient’s chart?
Answer: No show
Q: Which method of taking a patient’s temperature could possibly have a risk of blood exposure?
Answer: Rectal
Q: If a patient is complaining of pain in their sides and dysuria (difficult urination), which of the following laboratory tests would the provider most likely order because he thinks the patient may have a kidney infection?
Answer: Urinalysis (UA)
Q: Which of the following test would be delivered to the coagulation department?
Answer: PT/INR – Prothrombin Time/International Normalized Ratio(light blue tube)
Q: What is the acronym that would represent how a medical assistant would operate a fire extinguisher?
Answer: PASS (pull, aim, squeeze, sweep)
Q: In which position should a new born infant be placed to measure from head to toe?
Answer: Supine
Q: How many mL’s of blood should a medical assistant collect in each bottle for a blood culture?
Answer: 8 – 10
Q: Which of the following planes would be the correct definition that divides the body from top (superior) and bottom (inferior) portions of the human body?
Answer: Transverse
Q: When looking up a diagnostic code, which part of the diagnostic statement should a medical assistant look in when searching in the alphabetic index?
Answer: Main term
Q: Which of the following is correct when performing a venipuncture?
Answer: Have the patient make a fist and do not pump
Q: How many years must pass for a patient to be considered a new patient for billing purposes question
Answer: Three
Q: How many minutes should a medical assistant flush his eyes after a splash exposure?
Answer: 15
Q: Providing a patient with a copy of their medical records is permissible under which law?
Answer: Patient’s Bill of Rights
Q: Which laboratory test would a provider order if a patient has a follow up appointment to check on the history of their diabetes?
Answer: Hemoglobin A1C (grey tube)
Q: Which cells account for more than 50% of white blood cells (WBC’s)?
Answer: Neutrophil
Q: An EKG electrode will not stick properly due to the patients sweating; what should the medical assistant do to ensure the electrode stays in place?
Answer: Dry off the patient’s skin
Q: Where would the cardiac leads be placed if a patient has had a mastectomy on her left side?
Answer: Left side (no change)
Q: What may occur if a medical assistant is performing and ear irrigation on a patient?
Answer: Vertigo (dizziness)
Q: Which of the following is outside the scope of practice for a medical assistant?
Answer: occult blood collection
Q: How would a medical assistant convert a weight in kilograms to pounds?
Answer: multiply Kg by 2.2
Q: Which needle gauges of 23, 22, 21 & 28 is largest?
Answer: 21
Q: How would a Medical Assistant convert 100.4°F to celcius?
Answer: subtract 32 from °F, then multiply by 5/9 (convert decimal to fraction)
Q: Which organization regulates safety in the workplace?
Answer: OSHA
Q: What needs to be reported to make sure that a facility is prepared for a fire?
Answer: Obstructed sprinklers
Q: Where would the pain be if a patient has appendicitis?
Answer: Lower right quadrant
Q: What is the maximum amount of M l’s of urine collected for a urinalysis?
Answer: 20 to 25
Q: What is the correct way to obtain a capillary blood collection?
Answer: Place lancet across the fingertip of the ring finger
Q: What is the amount of tuberculin injected for a purified protein derivative (PPD) or TB test?
Answer: 0.1mL
Q: SOAPE stands for what?
Answer: Subjective, objective, assessment, plan, evaluation
Q: What specialist would diagnose and treat diseases of the heart?
Answer: Cardiologist
Q: Where should the leads of an EKG be placed if a patient is known to have dextrocardia (condition in which the apex of the heart is oriented towards the patient’s right)?
Answer: Precordial (chest)
Q: What is the 1st proper thing to do in removing sutures
Answer: Wash hands using the sterile hands grub technique
Q: What is the proper solution to clean an infected wound of a patient?
Answer: Normal saline solution
Q: What would be the most appropriate position to place a patient in for a vaginal exam?
Answer: Lithotomy
Q: Which vitamins are stored in adipose (fat) tissue?
Answer: Vitamins A, D, E & K are all fat-soluble vitamins