NCCT - Patient Care UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A patient's weight of 155 lbs. is equivalent to
A. 155 kg.
B. 341 kg.
C. 71 kg.
D. 35.5 kg. - CORRECT ANSWER - 71 kg.
[Formula conversion: pounds to kg 1 kg = 2.2 lb] 155 lbs./2.2 kg=71kg
2. Which of the following measurements should be obtained on an infant in the office for a well-
child visit? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
A. weight
B. length
C. head circumference
D. thigh circumference
E. abdominal girth - CORRECT ANSWER - weight, length, head circumference
Weight, length and head circumference are documented on a standardized growth chart until 2
years of age.
3. The physician asks the medical assistant to calculate a patient's BMI after taking the weight
and height. What is the importance of this measurement?
A. to determine the patient's level of hydration
B. to estimate the patient's body fat and obesity-related health risks
,C. to screen the patient for diabetes mellitus and related complications
D. to assess the patient's skin fold thickness - CORRECT ANSWER - to estimate the
patient's body fat and obesity-related health risks
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a relationship of weight to height: BMI = weight [kg]/height [m2]
(weight is in kilograms; height is in meters, which is squared in the calculation). 75kg/1.7m2 =
75/2.89 = 26 BMI A high BMI can be an indicator that a patient is overweight or obese. There
are increased chronic health risks associated with overweight and obese individuals (diabetes,
high blood pressure, etc.). The BMI is one measurement that helps determine an overall risk
factor for obesity-related health issues. It is not a screen for diabetes (a glucose tolerance test,
fasting glucose, triglycerides, and Hgb A1C would help determine if a patient is diabetic) or
related complications. The BMI is not used to detect hydration levels or skin fold thickness.
4. During an office visit a patient asks the medical assistant what his BMI is. Which of the
following information should the medical assistant measure to calculate BMI?
A. height and weight
B. vital signs and height
C. skin fold thickness and vital signs
D. weight and skin fold thickness - CORRECT ANSWER - height and weight
Height and Weight are used for the formula to get BMI, which tells if the PT is obese. BMI =
WT /HT
5. A patient comes to the medical office reporting a newly twisted ankle. The appropriate course
of action for the medical assistant is to prepare
A. a paraffin bath.
B. an ice pack.
C. a heating pad.
D. a warm, moist compress. - CORRECT ANSWER - an ice pack.
,In general, a new injury will cause inflammation. A cold application (ice pack, gel pack, cold
compress, etc.) will decrease the blood flow to the injury, thereby decreasing the tendency for
swelling (after 72 hours, the inflammatory response will likely cease such that no further
swelling will likely occur). A cold pack is also used immediately on a new sprain to help limit
pain. The general rule of thumb to follow after a soft tissue injury is RICE: Rest, Ice,
Compression, Elevation. (Some sources call for Protection, making the acronym PRICE). After
72 hours, heat may be applied. The heat may soothe the area by helping increase blood flow.
Heat can be applied locally with a heating pad or warm moist compress. A paraffin wax bath is
another heat application that keeps the heat in a localized area utilizing the molding and
hardening properties of wax.
6. Which of the following symptoms reported by the patient should the medical assistant expect
while performing a routine ear irrigation? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
A. dizziness
B. itching
C. nausea
D. tingling sensation
E. headache - CORRECT ANSWER - dizziness , itching, tingling sensation
The patient should experience some itching in the ear, as well as a tingling sensation when the
ear is being irrigated. Sometimes patients may feel dizzy during this procedure. Ear irrigation
should not cause nausea or a headache. If these symptoms do appear, the physician should be
notified immediately.
7. The provider in the photo is using which of the following methods to examine this patient?
A. auscultation
B. inspection
C. palpation
D. percussion - CORRECT ANSWER - palpation
, The process of feeling with the fingers or hands for diagnostic purposes during a physical exam
is called palpation. Auscultation is the process of listening to a certain area of the body with a
stethoscope. When a provider does an inspection of a patient, he/she will look at the specific
body part(s) to check for abnormalities before they move on to percussion or palpation.
Percussion has medical providers tapping on a part of the body using a percussion hammer or
their fingers.
8. The physician requests for the medical assistant to assist the patient into the correct position
for a pap smear. The medical assistant should assist the patient into which of the following
positions?
A. Fowler's
B. knee-chest
C. Sims
D. lithotomy - CORRECT ANSWER - lithotomy
Lithotomy is a position in which the patient's knees are bent with feet flat on a table or in
stirrups. This position is used to maximize visibility for vaginal, anal, rectal, or perineal area
exams. Sims positioning has the patient on a side with the top knee bent. Knee-chest has a
patient pull knees to chest with the bottom in the air. Fowler's position is a commonly recognized
position in which a patient lies in a supine position with the head elevated 20 to 30 inches.
9. A patient presents to the office for removal of an IUD. Which of the following exam positions
should the medical assistant help prepare the patient to assume on the exam table?
A. Trendelenburg's
B. knee-chest
C. lithotomy
D. Sims' - CORRECT ANSWER - lithotomy
When a patient is in the Sims position, he or she lies on one side with one knee bent. The
Trendelenburg positions the patient head down while elevating the feet (this position is widely
used to manage hypotensive patients, but the evidence to support its effectiveness is suspect). A
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A patient's weight of 155 lbs. is equivalent to
A. 155 kg.
B. 341 kg.
C. 71 kg.
D. 35.5 kg. - CORRECT ANSWER - 71 kg.
[Formula conversion: pounds to kg 1 kg = 2.2 lb] 155 lbs./2.2 kg=71kg
2. Which of the following measurements should be obtained on an infant in the office for a well-
child visit? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
A. weight
B. length
C. head circumference
D. thigh circumference
E. abdominal girth - CORRECT ANSWER - weight, length, head circumference
Weight, length and head circumference are documented on a standardized growth chart until 2
years of age.
3. The physician asks the medical assistant to calculate a patient's BMI after taking the weight
and height. What is the importance of this measurement?
A. to determine the patient's level of hydration
B. to estimate the patient's body fat and obesity-related health risks
,C. to screen the patient for diabetes mellitus and related complications
D. to assess the patient's skin fold thickness - CORRECT ANSWER - to estimate the
patient's body fat and obesity-related health risks
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a relationship of weight to height: BMI = weight [kg]/height [m2]
(weight is in kilograms; height is in meters, which is squared in the calculation). 75kg/1.7m2 =
75/2.89 = 26 BMI A high BMI can be an indicator that a patient is overweight or obese. There
are increased chronic health risks associated with overweight and obese individuals (diabetes,
high blood pressure, etc.). The BMI is one measurement that helps determine an overall risk
factor for obesity-related health issues. It is not a screen for diabetes (a glucose tolerance test,
fasting glucose, triglycerides, and Hgb A1C would help determine if a patient is diabetic) or
related complications. The BMI is not used to detect hydration levels or skin fold thickness.
4. During an office visit a patient asks the medical assistant what his BMI is. Which of the
following information should the medical assistant measure to calculate BMI?
A. height and weight
B. vital signs and height
C. skin fold thickness and vital signs
D. weight and skin fold thickness - CORRECT ANSWER - height and weight
Height and Weight are used for the formula to get BMI, which tells if the PT is obese. BMI =
WT /HT
5. A patient comes to the medical office reporting a newly twisted ankle. The appropriate course
of action for the medical assistant is to prepare
A. a paraffin bath.
B. an ice pack.
C. a heating pad.
D. a warm, moist compress. - CORRECT ANSWER - an ice pack.
,In general, a new injury will cause inflammation. A cold application (ice pack, gel pack, cold
compress, etc.) will decrease the blood flow to the injury, thereby decreasing the tendency for
swelling (after 72 hours, the inflammatory response will likely cease such that no further
swelling will likely occur). A cold pack is also used immediately on a new sprain to help limit
pain. The general rule of thumb to follow after a soft tissue injury is RICE: Rest, Ice,
Compression, Elevation. (Some sources call for Protection, making the acronym PRICE). After
72 hours, heat may be applied. The heat may soothe the area by helping increase blood flow.
Heat can be applied locally with a heating pad or warm moist compress. A paraffin wax bath is
another heat application that keeps the heat in a localized area utilizing the molding and
hardening properties of wax.
6. Which of the following symptoms reported by the patient should the medical assistant expect
while performing a routine ear irrigation? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
A. dizziness
B. itching
C. nausea
D. tingling sensation
E. headache - CORRECT ANSWER - dizziness , itching, tingling sensation
The patient should experience some itching in the ear, as well as a tingling sensation when the
ear is being irrigated. Sometimes patients may feel dizzy during this procedure. Ear irrigation
should not cause nausea or a headache. If these symptoms do appear, the physician should be
notified immediately.
7. The provider in the photo is using which of the following methods to examine this patient?
A. auscultation
B. inspection
C. palpation
D. percussion - CORRECT ANSWER - palpation
, The process of feeling with the fingers or hands for diagnostic purposes during a physical exam
is called palpation. Auscultation is the process of listening to a certain area of the body with a
stethoscope. When a provider does an inspection of a patient, he/she will look at the specific
body part(s) to check for abnormalities before they move on to percussion or palpation.
Percussion has medical providers tapping on a part of the body using a percussion hammer or
their fingers.
8. The physician requests for the medical assistant to assist the patient into the correct position
for a pap smear. The medical assistant should assist the patient into which of the following
positions?
A. Fowler's
B. knee-chest
C. Sims
D. lithotomy - CORRECT ANSWER - lithotomy
Lithotomy is a position in which the patient's knees are bent with feet flat on a table or in
stirrups. This position is used to maximize visibility for vaginal, anal, rectal, or perineal area
exams. Sims positioning has the patient on a side with the top knee bent. Knee-chest has a
patient pull knees to chest with the bottom in the air. Fowler's position is a commonly recognized
position in which a patient lies in a supine position with the head elevated 20 to 30 inches.
9. A patient presents to the office for removal of an IUD. Which of the following exam positions
should the medical assistant help prepare the patient to assume on the exam table?
A. Trendelenburg's
B. knee-chest
C. lithotomy
D. Sims' - CORRECT ANSWER - lithotomy
When a patient is in the Sims position, he or she lies on one side with one knee bent. The
Trendelenburg positions the patient head down while elevating the feet (this position is widely
used to manage hypotensive patients, but the evidence to support its effectiveness is suspect). A
