# Medical assisting: adMinistrative & clinical
coMpetencies (Blesi, 10th edition) — coMprehensive
test Bank
**course:** Medical assistant prograM
**textBook:** *Medical assisting: adMinistrative &
clinical coMpetencies*, 10th edition
**author:** Michelle Blesi
**puBlisher:** cengage learning (2026)
**relevant certification exaM:** cMa (aaMa), rMa
(aMt), ccMa (nha)
**docuMent edition:** 10th edition onlY — standalone
docuMent
---
## PART 1: Foundations and General Medical Assisting Knowledge — Questions 1–70
---
### Section 1: The Profession of Medical Assisting — Questions 1–14
**Q1.** A medical assistant is reviewing the historical roots of the profession. During which war did
the need for trained medical assistants first become widely recognized in the United States?
A. The Revolutionary War
B. The Civil War
C. World War I
,D. World War II
** Correct Answer: D**
** Rationale :** The demand for formally trained medical assistants grew significantly during
World War II when physicians left their practices to serve in the military and needed trained
personnel to maintain office operations. The Revolutionary War (A) and Civil War (B) predate the
profession's formalization. World War I (C) contributed to nursing advancements but did not drive
the same demand for medical assistants.
---
**Q2.** A medical assistant is reviewing the purpose of the American Association of Medical
Assistants (AAMA). Which function is most associated with this organization?
A. Administering the NCLEX examination
B. Credentialing medical assistants through the CMA (AAMA) certification
C. Accrediting medical assisting educational programs
D. Licensing physicians
** Correct Answer: B**
** Rationale:** The AAMA awards the CMA (AAMA) credential. The NCLEX (A) is administered
by the NCSBN for nurses. Accreditation (C) is performed by CAAHEP or ABHES. Physician licensing (D)
is handled by state medical boards.
---
**Q3.** A medical assistant is reviewing the role of the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health
Education Programs (CAAHEP). Which function is most associated with this organization?
A. Accrediting medical assisting educational programs
,B. Certifying individual medical assistants
C. Licensing medical practices
D. Setting reimbursement rates
** Correct Answer: A**
** Rationale:** CAAHEP accredits educational programs in allied health, including medical
assisting. Individual certification (B) is handled by certifying bodies such as the AAMA and AMT.
Licensing of practices (C) and reimbursement rates (D) are unrelated to CAAHEP's mission.
---
**Q4.** A medical assistant is reviewing the credentialing requirements for the CMA (AAMA). Which
requirement is accurate?
A. Graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program and passing the CMA examination
B. A high school diploma only
C. Completion of a 6-week online course
D. A nursing degree
** Correct Answer: A**
** Rationale :** CMA (AAMA) candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assisting
program and pass the certification examination. A high school diploma alone (B) is insufficient.
Online courses (C) must be part of an accredited program. A nursing degree (D) is not a requirement.
---
**Q5.** A medical assistant is reviewing the scope of practice. Which statement is accurate?
A. Scope of practice is identical in all states.
, B. Scope of practice is defined by state law and may vary by state.
C. Scope of practice is determined by the physician employer only.
D. Scope of practice is set by the AAMA.
** Correct Answer: B**
** Rationale:** Scope of practice for medical assistants is defined by state law and varies
across states. It is not identical nationally (A), not determined solely by the employer (C), and not set
by the AAMA (D).
---
**Q6.** A medical assistant is reviewing the role of the medical assistant in a physician office. Which
task is within the administrative scope?
A. Performing venipuncture
B. Administering medications
C. Scheduling patient appointments
D. Performing an EKG
** Correct Answer: C**
** Rationale :** Scheduling appointments is an administrative task. Venipuncture (A),
medication administration (B), and EKG performance (D) are clinical tasks that require additional
training and may be restricted by state law.
---
**Q7.** A medical assistant is reviewing the role of a certified medical assistant (CMA) versus a
registered medical assistant (RMA). Which statement is accurate?
coMpetencies (Blesi, 10th edition) — coMprehensive
test Bank
**course:** Medical assistant prograM
**textBook:** *Medical assisting: adMinistrative &
clinical coMpetencies*, 10th edition
**author:** Michelle Blesi
**puBlisher:** cengage learning (2026)
**relevant certification exaM:** cMa (aaMa), rMa
(aMt), ccMa (nha)
**docuMent edition:** 10th edition onlY — standalone
docuMent
---
## PART 1: Foundations and General Medical Assisting Knowledge — Questions 1–70
---
### Section 1: The Profession of Medical Assisting — Questions 1–14
**Q1.** A medical assistant is reviewing the historical roots of the profession. During which war did
the need for trained medical assistants first become widely recognized in the United States?
A. The Revolutionary War
B. The Civil War
C. World War I
,D. World War II
** Correct Answer: D**
** Rationale :** The demand for formally trained medical assistants grew significantly during
World War II when physicians left their practices to serve in the military and needed trained
personnel to maintain office operations. The Revolutionary War (A) and Civil War (B) predate the
profession's formalization. World War I (C) contributed to nursing advancements but did not drive
the same demand for medical assistants.
---
**Q2.** A medical assistant is reviewing the purpose of the American Association of Medical
Assistants (AAMA). Which function is most associated with this organization?
A. Administering the NCLEX examination
B. Credentialing medical assistants through the CMA (AAMA) certification
C. Accrediting medical assisting educational programs
D. Licensing physicians
** Correct Answer: B**
** Rationale:** The AAMA awards the CMA (AAMA) credential. The NCLEX (A) is administered
by the NCSBN for nurses. Accreditation (C) is performed by CAAHEP or ABHES. Physician licensing (D)
is handled by state medical boards.
---
**Q3.** A medical assistant is reviewing the role of the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health
Education Programs (CAAHEP). Which function is most associated with this organization?
A. Accrediting medical assisting educational programs
,B. Certifying individual medical assistants
C. Licensing medical practices
D. Setting reimbursement rates
** Correct Answer: A**
** Rationale:** CAAHEP accredits educational programs in allied health, including medical
assisting. Individual certification (B) is handled by certifying bodies such as the AAMA and AMT.
Licensing of practices (C) and reimbursement rates (D) are unrelated to CAAHEP's mission.
---
**Q4.** A medical assistant is reviewing the credentialing requirements for the CMA (AAMA). Which
requirement is accurate?
A. Graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program and passing the CMA examination
B. A high school diploma only
C. Completion of a 6-week online course
D. A nursing degree
** Correct Answer: A**
** Rationale :** CMA (AAMA) candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assisting
program and pass the certification examination. A high school diploma alone (B) is insufficient.
Online courses (C) must be part of an accredited program. A nursing degree (D) is not a requirement.
---
**Q5.** A medical assistant is reviewing the scope of practice. Which statement is accurate?
A. Scope of practice is identical in all states.
, B. Scope of practice is defined by state law and may vary by state.
C. Scope of practice is determined by the physician employer only.
D. Scope of practice is set by the AAMA.
** Correct Answer: B**
** Rationale:** Scope of practice for medical assistants is defined by state law and varies
across states. It is not identical nationally (A), not determined solely by the employer (C), and not set
by the AAMA (D).
---
**Q6.** A medical assistant is reviewing the role of the medical assistant in a physician office. Which
task is within the administrative scope?
A. Performing venipuncture
B. Administering medications
C. Scheduling patient appointments
D. Performing an EKG
** Correct Answer: C**
** Rationale :** Scheduling appointments is an administrative task. Venipuncture (A),
medication administration (B), and EKG performance (D) are clinical tasks that require additional
training and may be restricted by state law.
---
**Q7.** A medical assistant is reviewing the role of a certified medical assistant (CMA) versus a
registered medical assistant (RMA). Which statement is accurate?
