MA TEST STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a flexible sigmoidoscopy examination. In
which of the following positions should the assistant place the patient? Flexible
Sigmoidoscopy = doctor examines the rectum and the lower third of the colon -
ANSWERSLeft Lateral
Which of the following letter formats uses indented paragraph? - ANSWERSSemi-block
letter format
A medical assistant is performing a scratch allergy test on a patient's back. Which of the
following distances describes the correct spacing for the small amounts of allergen
scratched onto the skin? - ANSWERS1 1/2 - 2 inches
Which of the following cardiac procedures is within a medical assistant's scope of
practice and does not require a licensed technician or provider to assist with or perform
the procedure? - ANSWERSHolter monitor application and performing a standard 12-
lead electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)
kg to lb coversions - ANSWERSlb x 0.45 = kg
lb/2.2 = kg
kg/0.45 = lb
kg x 2.2 = lb
Forceps - ANSWERSused for grasping, holding, or pulling objects when human fingers
are too large or lack the necessary grip
Otoscope - ANSWERSilluminate and examine the ear canal and eardrum (tympanic
membrane)
Currette - ANSWERSa small, surgical hand instrument used for scraping, cleaning, or
debriding biological tissue and debris
Endoscope - ANSWERSlight and a tiny camera used to visually examine the interior of
a hollow organ, cavity, or mechanical system
Which of the following is defined by 9 calories per gram? - ANSWERSFats; the number
of calories from fat
Which of the following should the medical assistant verify with the patient prior to the
patient receiving a prescription for their acute ear infection? - ANSWERSMedication
allergies
, OSHA Guidelines for proper waste disposal - ANSWERSThe rules require distinct
handling procedures depending on whether the waste is hazardous, infectious, or
general worksite debris
A medical assistant is examining a patient who has a third-degree burn on their hands.
Which of the following is a first-aid procedure the medical assistant can perform? -
ANSWERSSeparate the patient's burned fingers
A medical assistant has orders to collect blood cultures, a cba, pt, and an iron panel.
They forget to draw for the PT. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
- ANSWERSKeep the specimens previously collected and draw the PT.
Order of blood draw - ANSWERSBlood Cultures
Coagulation (Blue-top)
Serum (Red, Gold, or Tiger-top)
Heparin (Green-top)
EDTA (Lavender or Pink-top)
Glycolytic Inhibitor (Gray-top)
Which of the following types of advance directives provides information about the
person that a patient delegated to make health care decisions on their behalf if they are
unable to do so? - ANSWERSHealth care proxy
Which of the following classes of fire extinguishers should be used on flammable
liquids? - ANSWERSClass B
A medical assistant is preparing a patient to have a mole excised. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take? - ANSWERSCleanse the site with surgical
soap and an antiseptic.
A patient's insurance company calls the office to obtain additional information regarding
a recently submitted claim. Which of the followingregulations allows the office to release
this information to an insurance company without a written authorization? -
ANSWERSThe HIPAA Privacy Rule
The HIPAA Privacy Rule - ANSWERSfederal law that creates national standards to
protect your medical records and personal health information; requires written
authorization to release records
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act - ANSWERSIt
also drastically tightened HIPAA privacy and security rules to protect patients' digital
health data from breaches; notify pts if their info was leaked
AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a flexible sigmoidoscopy examination. In
which of the following positions should the assistant place the patient? Flexible
Sigmoidoscopy = doctor examines the rectum and the lower third of the colon -
ANSWERSLeft Lateral
Which of the following letter formats uses indented paragraph? - ANSWERSSemi-block
letter format
A medical assistant is performing a scratch allergy test on a patient's back. Which of the
following distances describes the correct spacing for the small amounts of allergen
scratched onto the skin? - ANSWERS1 1/2 - 2 inches
Which of the following cardiac procedures is within a medical assistant's scope of
practice and does not require a licensed technician or provider to assist with or perform
the procedure? - ANSWERSHolter monitor application and performing a standard 12-
lead electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)
kg to lb coversions - ANSWERSlb x 0.45 = kg
lb/2.2 = kg
kg/0.45 = lb
kg x 2.2 = lb
Forceps - ANSWERSused for grasping, holding, or pulling objects when human fingers
are too large or lack the necessary grip
Otoscope - ANSWERSilluminate and examine the ear canal and eardrum (tympanic
membrane)
Currette - ANSWERSa small, surgical hand instrument used for scraping, cleaning, or
debriding biological tissue and debris
Endoscope - ANSWERSlight and a tiny camera used to visually examine the interior of
a hollow organ, cavity, or mechanical system
Which of the following is defined by 9 calories per gram? - ANSWERSFats; the number
of calories from fat
Which of the following should the medical assistant verify with the patient prior to the
patient receiving a prescription for their acute ear infection? - ANSWERSMedication
allergies
, OSHA Guidelines for proper waste disposal - ANSWERSThe rules require distinct
handling procedures depending on whether the waste is hazardous, infectious, or
general worksite debris
A medical assistant is examining a patient who has a third-degree burn on their hands.
Which of the following is a first-aid procedure the medical assistant can perform? -
ANSWERSSeparate the patient's burned fingers
A medical assistant has orders to collect blood cultures, a cba, pt, and an iron panel.
They forget to draw for the PT. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
- ANSWERSKeep the specimens previously collected and draw the PT.
Order of blood draw - ANSWERSBlood Cultures
Coagulation (Blue-top)
Serum (Red, Gold, or Tiger-top)
Heparin (Green-top)
EDTA (Lavender or Pink-top)
Glycolytic Inhibitor (Gray-top)
Which of the following types of advance directives provides information about the
person that a patient delegated to make health care decisions on their behalf if they are
unable to do so? - ANSWERSHealth care proxy
Which of the following classes of fire extinguishers should be used on flammable
liquids? - ANSWERSClass B
A medical assistant is preparing a patient to have a mole excised. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take? - ANSWERSCleanse the site with surgical
soap and an antiseptic.
A patient's insurance company calls the office to obtain additional information regarding
a recently submitted claim. Which of the followingregulations allows the office to release
this information to an insurance company without a written authorization? -
ANSWERSThe HIPAA Privacy Rule
The HIPAA Privacy Rule - ANSWERSfederal law that creates national standards to
protect your medical records and personal health information; requires written
authorization to release records
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act - ANSWERSIt
also drastically tightened HIPAA privacy and security rules to protect patients' digital
health data from breaches; notify pts if their info was leaked
