AMCA Medical Assistant Certification Exam
Guide| Complete Study Guide with Actual Exam
Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed
Rationales | Latest Edition - Updated 2026/2027
Question 1
Which of the following is considered a parasitic infection?
A. Lyme disease
B. Rabies
C. Ringworm
D. Malaria
Answer: D
Rationale: Malaria is a parasitic infection caused by Plasmodium species
transmitted by mosquitoes. Lyme disease is bacterial, rabies is viral, and ringworm
is fungal.
Question 2
Aspirin and acetaminophen are examples of:
A. Analgesics and antipyretics
B. Antitussives and decongestants
C. Antihistamines and antiemetics
D. Antidotes and antibiotics
Answer: A
Rationale: Aspirin and acetaminophen are both analgesics (pain relievers) and
antipyretics (fever reducers).
Question 3
Demerol 75 mg, IM every 4 hours, as needed for severe pain, is what type of
medication order?
A. Single
B. PRN
C. Stat
D. Routine
Answer: B
Rationale: PRN (pro re nata) means "as needed." The order specifies "as needed
for severe pain," making it a PRN order.
1
,Question 4
This unit in the hospital is run by physicians and experts in the field of
musculoskeletal disorders of bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. Identify this
department.
A. Rheumatology
B. Obstetrics
C. Ophthalmology
D. Oncology
Answer: A
Rationale: Rheumatology is the specialty that deals with musculoskeletal
disorders, including bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
Question 5
MSDS information includes:
A. Table of chemical elements
B. Product manufacturing conditions
C. General and emergency information
D. Information on competitor products
Answer: C
Rationale: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide general and emergency
information about chemicals, including hazards and safety precautions.
Question 6
The physician prescribes a buccal medication. The medical assistant should
instruct the patient to:
A. Place the medication between the lower teeth and cheek
B. Chew the medication and swallow it
C. Place the medication under the tongue
D. Dissolve the medication in water and drink it
Answer: A
Rationale: Buccal administration involves placing the medication between the
cheek and gums (or lower teeth and cheek) for absorption through the oral mucosa.
Question 7
Which of the following is the best specimen to test for levels of iron in the blood?
A. The one collected in a tube that contains sodium citrate
B. The one collected in a microcuvette
C. The one collected in the tube that contains EDTA
D. The one collected in a tube with no additive
Answer: C
Rationale: EDTA tubes (lavender top) are used for hematology testing, including
iron studies. EDTA is an anticoagulant that preserves blood cells.
2
,Question 8
All pathogens are:
A. Microorganisms that live in soil
B. Microbes that can cause disease
C. Communicable microorganisms
D. Normal bacteria found on skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease. Not all
microorganisms are pathogens; many are harmless or beneficial.
Question 9
Every prescription for a controlled substance requires the physician's signature and
a number from which agency?
A. FDA
B. DEA
C. EPA
D. CDC
Answer: B
Rationale: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issues registration
numbers to prescribers of controlled substances, which must appear on
prescriptions.
Question 10
When using a No. 10 envelope, where should the address be placed?
A. 10 lines down from the top and 4 inches from the left edge of the envelope
B. 14 lines down from the top and 2 inches from the left edge of the envelope
C. 10 lines down from the top and 2 inches from the left edge of the envelope
D. 14 lines down from the top and 4 inches from the left edge of the envelope
Answer: D
Rationale: Standard addressing for a No. 10 envelope places the address 14 lines
down from the top and 4 inches from the left edge.
Question 11
What drug prevents the action of another drug or chemical?
A. Trade
B. Narcotic
C. Synergist
D. Antagonist
Answer: D
3
, Rationale: An antagonist blocks or inhibits the action of another drug or chemical.
A synergist enhances the effect of another drug.
Question 12
Co-insurance is calculated based on a:
A. A capitation rate
B. Percentage of charge
C. A fixed charge for each visit
D. Number of policy holders in the plan
Answer: B
Rationale: Co-insurance is a percentage of the allowed charge that the patient
pays after the deductible is met.
Question 13
Muscles that act on the knee joint exhibit two actions:
A. Adduction and lateral rotation
B. Medical rotation and extension
C. Adduction and Abduction
D. Flexion and extension
Answer: D
Rationale: The primary actions of the knee joint are flexion (bending) and
extension (straightening).
Question 14
A structure that is composed of two or more tissue types is called a/an:
A. Cell
B. Tissue
C. Organ
D. System
Answer: C
Rationale: An organ is composed of two or more tissue types working together to
perform a specific function.
Question 15
Cellular respiration is a function of the:
A. Cell membrane
B. Mitochondria
C. Golgi apparatus
D. Nucleus
Answer: B
4
Guide| Complete Study Guide with Actual Exam
Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed
Rationales | Latest Edition - Updated 2026/2027
Question 1
Which of the following is considered a parasitic infection?
A. Lyme disease
B. Rabies
C. Ringworm
D. Malaria
Answer: D
Rationale: Malaria is a parasitic infection caused by Plasmodium species
transmitted by mosquitoes. Lyme disease is bacterial, rabies is viral, and ringworm
is fungal.
Question 2
Aspirin and acetaminophen are examples of:
A. Analgesics and antipyretics
B. Antitussives and decongestants
C. Antihistamines and antiemetics
D. Antidotes and antibiotics
Answer: A
Rationale: Aspirin and acetaminophen are both analgesics (pain relievers) and
antipyretics (fever reducers).
Question 3
Demerol 75 mg, IM every 4 hours, as needed for severe pain, is what type of
medication order?
A. Single
B. PRN
C. Stat
D. Routine
Answer: B
Rationale: PRN (pro re nata) means "as needed." The order specifies "as needed
for severe pain," making it a PRN order.
1
,Question 4
This unit in the hospital is run by physicians and experts in the field of
musculoskeletal disorders of bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. Identify this
department.
A. Rheumatology
B. Obstetrics
C. Ophthalmology
D. Oncology
Answer: A
Rationale: Rheumatology is the specialty that deals with musculoskeletal
disorders, including bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
Question 5
MSDS information includes:
A. Table of chemical elements
B. Product manufacturing conditions
C. General and emergency information
D. Information on competitor products
Answer: C
Rationale: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide general and emergency
information about chemicals, including hazards and safety precautions.
Question 6
The physician prescribes a buccal medication. The medical assistant should
instruct the patient to:
A. Place the medication between the lower teeth and cheek
B. Chew the medication and swallow it
C. Place the medication under the tongue
D. Dissolve the medication in water and drink it
Answer: A
Rationale: Buccal administration involves placing the medication between the
cheek and gums (or lower teeth and cheek) for absorption through the oral mucosa.
Question 7
Which of the following is the best specimen to test for levels of iron in the blood?
A. The one collected in a tube that contains sodium citrate
B. The one collected in a microcuvette
C. The one collected in the tube that contains EDTA
D. The one collected in a tube with no additive
Answer: C
Rationale: EDTA tubes (lavender top) are used for hematology testing, including
iron studies. EDTA is an anticoagulant that preserves blood cells.
2
,Question 8
All pathogens are:
A. Microorganisms that live in soil
B. Microbes that can cause disease
C. Communicable microorganisms
D. Normal bacteria found on skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease. Not all
microorganisms are pathogens; many are harmless or beneficial.
Question 9
Every prescription for a controlled substance requires the physician's signature and
a number from which agency?
A. FDA
B. DEA
C. EPA
D. CDC
Answer: B
Rationale: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issues registration
numbers to prescribers of controlled substances, which must appear on
prescriptions.
Question 10
When using a No. 10 envelope, where should the address be placed?
A. 10 lines down from the top and 4 inches from the left edge of the envelope
B. 14 lines down from the top and 2 inches from the left edge of the envelope
C. 10 lines down from the top and 2 inches from the left edge of the envelope
D. 14 lines down from the top and 4 inches from the left edge of the envelope
Answer: D
Rationale: Standard addressing for a No. 10 envelope places the address 14 lines
down from the top and 4 inches from the left edge.
Question 11
What drug prevents the action of another drug or chemical?
A. Trade
B. Narcotic
C. Synergist
D. Antagonist
Answer: D
3
, Rationale: An antagonist blocks or inhibits the action of another drug or chemical.
A synergist enhances the effect of another drug.
Question 12
Co-insurance is calculated based on a:
A. A capitation rate
B. Percentage of charge
C. A fixed charge for each visit
D. Number of policy holders in the plan
Answer: B
Rationale: Co-insurance is a percentage of the allowed charge that the patient
pays after the deductible is met.
Question 13
Muscles that act on the knee joint exhibit two actions:
A. Adduction and lateral rotation
B. Medical rotation and extension
C. Adduction and Abduction
D. Flexion and extension
Answer: D
Rationale: The primary actions of the knee joint are flexion (bending) and
extension (straightening).
Question 14
A structure that is composed of two or more tissue types is called a/an:
A. Cell
B. Tissue
C. Organ
D. System
Answer: C
Rationale: An organ is composed of two or more tissue types working together to
perform a specific function.
Question 15
Cellular respiration is a function of the:
A. Cell membrane
B. Mitochondria
C. Golgi apparatus
D. Nucleus
Answer: B
4
