Medical Assistant Certification Exam questions and
answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
What are the 4 parts to a patient's medical history?
- correct answer chief complaint (CC), history of present illness (HPI), Past, Family and Social History
(PFSH), and review of systems (ROS)
Vital signs reflect the functions of what three body processes necessary for life?
- correct answer body temperature, respiration and heart function
what are the 4 vital signs of body function?
- correct answer temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure
Give the normal temp ranges for the following sites: rectal, oral, axillary and tympanic membrane?
- correct answer rectal 98.6-100
oral 97.6-99.6
axillary 96.6-98.6
tympanic 9.8.6
febrile v afebrile
- correct answer febrile is the presence of fever, afebrile is absence of fever
3 types of fever?
- correct answer intermittent, remittent and continuous
oral temperature is not taken from which patients?
- correct answer infants and children less than 6 yo, patients who had face, neck nose or mouth surgery,
those receiving oxygen, patients w altered mental status and others
,how long should you wait for patients who just finished eating drinking or smoking to take temp?
- correct answer 30 minutes
What method of taking temp is the least accurate?
- correct answer axillary (underarm)
normal adult pulse range
- correct answer 60-100 BPM
what is the site most commonly used for taking pulse?
- correct answer radial artery in wrist
normal range for adults respiration?
- correct answer 12-20 per minute
what are 3 respiration rate abnormalities?
- correct answer apnea- temporary complete absence of breathing
tachypnea- rate > 40.min
bradypnea- decease in number of respirations
What are to abnormalities in respiratory rhythm?
- correct answer Cheyne-Stokes- regular pattern of irregular breathing rate
Orthopnea- difficult to breathe unless in upwright position
what does depth of respiration refer to?
- correct answer amount of air that is inspired and expired during respiration
what are three abnormalities in depth of respirations?
- correct answer hypoventilation-reduced amt of air enters lungs
hypernea- abnormal inc in depth and rate of breathing
hyperventilation- increased amt of air entering lungs
,Define blood pressure
- correct answer measurement of the amt of force exerted by the blood on the peripheral arterial walls
and is expressed in mmHg
BP consists of what 2 components?
- correct answer highest (systole) and lowest (diastole) amt of pressure exerted during cardiac cycle
Name some common errors in blood pressure measurmens
- correct answer improper cuff size, arm is not at heart level, cuff not deflated, improper cuff placement
anthropometric refers to what?
- correct answer comparative measurements of the bdoy
What are the 4 principles of physical examination?
- correct answer inspection, palpation, percussion, ausculatationq
to make a diagnosis the physician utilizes what 3 sources?
- correct answer patient's health history, physical exam, and lab tests
horizontal recumbent position
- correct answer used for most physical exams
dorsal recumbent position
- correct answer
fowler's position
- correct answer used to promote drainage or ease breathing
dorsal lithotomy position
- correct answer used for exam of pelvic orgns
prone position
- correct answer used to examine spine and back
, Sim's position
- correct answer used for rectal examination
knee-chest position
- correct answer used for rectal and vaginal exams
trendelenburg position
- correct answer used for surgical procedures of pelvis and abdomen
Which organization is responsible for the identification of the various hazards present in the workplace
and for the creation of rules and regulation to minimize exposure to hazards?
- correct answer Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
What are the 3 categories for safety hazards?
- correct answer physical hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards
for an external hemorrhage how is bleeding controlled?
- correct answer elevating the affected part above heart level and applying direct pressure to the wound
when does shock occur?
- correct answer when there is insuffcient return of blood flow to the heart, resulting in inadequate
supply of oxygen
what are the common symptoms of shock?
- correct answer pale, cold clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, increased shallow breathing rate,
expressionless face
first aid for shcok
- correct answer maintain an open airway, call for assistance, keep victim lying dow, attempt to control
cause of shock
what are agents?
- correct answer infectious microorganisms that can be classified into groups
answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
What are the 4 parts to a patient's medical history?
- correct answer chief complaint (CC), history of present illness (HPI), Past, Family and Social History
(PFSH), and review of systems (ROS)
Vital signs reflect the functions of what three body processes necessary for life?
- correct answer body temperature, respiration and heart function
what are the 4 vital signs of body function?
- correct answer temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure
Give the normal temp ranges for the following sites: rectal, oral, axillary and tympanic membrane?
- correct answer rectal 98.6-100
oral 97.6-99.6
axillary 96.6-98.6
tympanic 9.8.6
febrile v afebrile
- correct answer febrile is the presence of fever, afebrile is absence of fever
3 types of fever?
- correct answer intermittent, remittent and continuous
oral temperature is not taken from which patients?
- correct answer infants and children less than 6 yo, patients who had face, neck nose or mouth surgery,
those receiving oxygen, patients w altered mental status and others
,how long should you wait for patients who just finished eating drinking or smoking to take temp?
- correct answer 30 minutes
What method of taking temp is the least accurate?
- correct answer axillary (underarm)
normal adult pulse range
- correct answer 60-100 BPM
what is the site most commonly used for taking pulse?
- correct answer radial artery in wrist
normal range for adults respiration?
- correct answer 12-20 per minute
what are 3 respiration rate abnormalities?
- correct answer apnea- temporary complete absence of breathing
tachypnea- rate > 40.min
bradypnea- decease in number of respirations
What are to abnormalities in respiratory rhythm?
- correct answer Cheyne-Stokes- regular pattern of irregular breathing rate
Orthopnea- difficult to breathe unless in upwright position
what does depth of respiration refer to?
- correct answer amount of air that is inspired and expired during respiration
what are three abnormalities in depth of respirations?
- correct answer hypoventilation-reduced amt of air enters lungs
hypernea- abnormal inc in depth and rate of breathing
hyperventilation- increased amt of air entering lungs
,Define blood pressure
- correct answer measurement of the amt of force exerted by the blood on the peripheral arterial walls
and is expressed in mmHg
BP consists of what 2 components?
- correct answer highest (systole) and lowest (diastole) amt of pressure exerted during cardiac cycle
Name some common errors in blood pressure measurmens
- correct answer improper cuff size, arm is not at heart level, cuff not deflated, improper cuff placement
anthropometric refers to what?
- correct answer comparative measurements of the bdoy
What are the 4 principles of physical examination?
- correct answer inspection, palpation, percussion, ausculatationq
to make a diagnosis the physician utilizes what 3 sources?
- correct answer patient's health history, physical exam, and lab tests
horizontal recumbent position
- correct answer used for most physical exams
dorsal recumbent position
- correct answer
fowler's position
- correct answer used to promote drainage or ease breathing
dorsal lithotomy position
- correct answer used for exam of pelvic orgns
prone position
- correct answer used to examine spine and back
, Sim's position
- correct answer used for rectal examination
knee-chest position
- correct answer used for rectal and vaginal exams
trendelenburg position
- correct answer used for surgical procedures of pelvis and abdomen
Which organization is responsible for the identification of the various hazards present in the workplace
and for the creation of rules and regulation to minimize exposure to hazards?
- correct answer Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
What are the 3 categories for safety hazards?
- correct answer physical hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards
for an external hemorrhage how is bleeding controlled?
- correct answer elevating the affected part above heart level and applying direct pressure to the wound
when does shock occur?
- correct answer when there is insuffcient return of blood flow to the heart, resulting in inadequate
supply of oxygen
what are the common symptoms of shock?
- correct answer pale, cold clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, increased shallow breathing rate,
expressionless face
first aid for shcok
- correct answer maintain an open airway, call for assistance, keep victim lying dow, attempt to control
cause of shock
what are agents?
- correct answer infectious microorganisms that can be classified into groups
