CCMA Exam Study Guide Questions and
Answers
1. What does the abbreviation SOB stand for in clinical note?
Answer Shortness of breath
2. What is the "definition" of a Medical Assistant
Answer -individual that graduated/completed an accredited MA edu. program;
-who is employed in the medical practice of a licensed provider;
-who performs basic admin., clerical, & clinical duties authorized by/ & under the direct supervision of a
licensed provider
3. What is a medical assistant's main duties in a clinical setting?
Answer -To room patients
-check pt. vitals
-record pt. demographics
-document current meds/allergies
-set up exam rooms (& any necessary instruments/equipment)
-simple wound dressings; and obtain wound cultures
-remove sutures/staples from superficial incisions/lacerations
-administer meds. IM, SC, PO, topically
-immunizations
,-filing/book keeping
-process insurance claims
-book appts.
-call in RX orders/refills- only as ordered & approved by physician, NP, or PA (but NEVER for narcotics)
4. What are some of the things that are OUT of the scope of
practice for a Medical Assistant?
Answer MA's CANNOT
Answer
-phone triage (bc MA's can't interpret data OR dx symptoms)
-independently treat/dx pts.
-give IV meds
-advise pts. about their condition or tx
5. What are the wellness exam supplies/ prep. of those items?
Answer The supplies that an MA will use vary depending on what type of office/clinic they
work in.
6. What is HIPPA? What does it do?
Answer Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act, which protects the privacy of
individually identifiable health information.
According to HIPAA, patients have a right to
• See and copy their health record
, • Update their health record
• Get a list of the disclosures that a health care institution has made independent of disclosures made for
the purposes
of treatment, payment, and health care operations
• Request a restriction on certain uses or disclosures
• Choose how to receive health information
7. Differentiate between Ambulatory Care & Acute Care facilities
Answer -Ambulatory care= outpatient (eg.- urgent care, clinics, healthcare centers, and
ambulatory surgery centers)
-Acute care= inpatient (ED, Hospital stays/surgery admit's, home health agency, hospice)
8. How should MA's go about handling angry pts.?
Answer 1. Tune-in/ actively listen to pt.; maintain eye contact & non-threatening body
positioning
2. Look for the signs; changes in body language
3. Show empathy/ acknowledge the pt.'s feelings; don't get defensive, but rather respond calmly &
treat the pt. with respect
3. Position providers as allies, not adversaries
4. Find options/ solutions
5. Act quickly in order to diffuse the situation & calm the pt. down
9. What is a normal blood pressure reading for an ADULT?
Answer 120/80 is the typical norm; though it's considered normal if the top # (systolic) is
Answers
1. What does the abbreviation SOB stand for in clinical note?
Answer Shortness of breath
2. What is the "definition" of a Medical Assistant
Answer -individual that graduated/completed an accredited MA edu. program;
-who is employed in the medical practice of a licensed provider;
-who performs basic admin., clerical, & clinical duties authorized by/ & under the direct supervision of a
licensed provider
3. What is a medical assistant's main duties in a clinical setting?
Answer -To room patients
-check pt. vitals
-record pt. demographics
-document current meds/allergies
-set up exam rooms (& any necessary instruments/equipment)
-simple wound dressings; and obtain wound cultures
-remove sutures/staples from superficial incisions/lacerations
-administer meds. IM, SC, PO, topically
-immunizations
,-filing/book keeping
-process insurance claims
-book appts.
-call in RX orders/refills- only as ordered & approved by physician, NP, or PA (but NEVER for narcotics)
4. What are some of the things that are OUT of the scope of
practice for a Medical Assistant?
Answer MA's CANNOT
Answer
-phone triage (bc MA's can't interpret data OR dx symptoms)
-independently treat/dx pts.
-give IV meds
-advise pts. about their condition or tx
5. What are the wellness exam supplies/ prep. of those items?
Answer The supplies that an MA will use vary depending on what type of office/clinic they
work in.
6. What is HIPPA? What does it do?
Answer Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act, which protects the privacy of
individually identifiable health information.
According to HIPAA, patients have a right to
• See and copy their health record
, • Update their health record
• Get a list of the disclosures that a health care institution has made independent of disclosures made for
the purposes
of treatment, payment, and health care operations
• Request a restriction on certain uses or disclosures
• Choose how to receive health information
7. Differentiate between Ambulatory Care & Acute Care facilities
Answer -Ambulatory care= outpatient (eg.- urgent care, clinics, healthcare centers, and
ambulatory surgery centers)
-Acute care= inpatient (ED, Hospital stays/surgery admit's, home health agency, hospice)
8. How should MA's go about handling angry pts.?
Answer 1. Tune-in/ actively listen to pt.; maintain eye contact & non-threatening body
positioning
2. Look for the signs; changes in body language
3. Show empathy/ acknowledge the pt.'s feelings; don't get defensive, but rather respond calmly &
treat the pt. with respect
3. Position providers as allies, not adversaries
4. Find options/ solutions
5. Act quickly in order to diffuse the situation & calm the pt. down
9. What is a normal blood pressure reading for an ADULT?
Answer 120/80 is the typical norm; though it's considered normal if the top # (systolic) is
