CMA (AAMA) CERTIFICATION EXAM – QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE |
EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST| DOWNLOAD
INSTANT PDF
1. A medical assistant is preparing a sterile field for a minor surgical procedure in the
clinic. Which action compromises the sterility of the field and requires it to be immediately
discarded and reset?
A. Reaching across the sterile field with a sterile gloved hand to adjust a surgical instrument
B. Opening a sterile instrument pack and dropping the contents onto the center of the field from
a height of six inches
C. Turning away from the sterile field for a brief moment to check the patient's chart while
remaining within the immediate vicinity
D. Placing a sterile basin near the outer one-inch border of the drape where a non-sterile
assistant accidentally touches it
ANSWER: D. Placing a sterile basin near the outer one-inch border of the drape where a
non-sterile assistant accidentally touches it
The outer one-inch margin of a sterile field is considered contaminated. Any contact by a non-
sterile item or person in this boundary compromises the entire field, requiring it to be
replaced.
2. A patient arrives at the ambulatory care clinic visibly agitated, breathing rapidly, and
complaining of tightness in the chest and dizziness after receiving news of a family
emergency. Which initial administrative and clinical action should the medical assistant
take?
A. Immediately escort the patient to a quiet, private examination room, notify the provider, and
monitor vital signs while offering reassurance
B. Hand the patient a clipboard to complete all demographic and billing update forms before
allowing them to sit down
C. Instruct the patient to wait in the main lobby until their scheduled appointment slot opens in
forty-five minutes
, D. Administer a sublingual anti-anxiety medication from the emergency crash cart without
checking provider orders
ANSWER: A. Immediately escort the patient to a quiet, private examination room, notify
the provider, and monitor vital signs while offering reassurance
Promptly moving an acute patient to a private, controlled environment ensures safety, allows
for immediate clinical assessment by the provider, and minimizes external stressors.
3. During routine maintenance of the clinic's automated external defibrillator (AED), the
medical assistant notes that the expiration date on the pediatric electrode pads passed two
weeks ago. What is the appropriate next step?
A. Immediately replace the expired pads with a fresh, unexpired set and document the
inspection and replacement in the maintenance log
B. Leave the expired pads attached to the unit until an actual cardiac arrest occurs to preserve
inventory costs
C. Move the expired pediatric pads to the adult storage shelf to see if they will still function
during an emergency
D. Discard the pads entirely without replacement since pediatric emergencies are statistically
rare in a general outpatient clinic
ANSWER: A. Immediately replace the expired pads with a fresh, unexpired set and
document the inspection and replacement in the maintenance log
Emergency medical equipment must be maintained in a state of operational readiness at all
times. Expired consumables like electrode pads compromise device reliability and patient
safety.
4. A patient presents to the clinic with complaints of severe lower back pain radiating down
the right leg. The provider orders a diagnostic imaging study of the spinal column. Which
term best describes the radiographic visualization of the spinal canal after the injection of a
contrast medium?
A. Myelography
B. Arthrography
C. Pyelography
D. Cholecystography
ANSWER: A. Myelography
,Myelography is a specialized diagnostic imaging procedure that utilizes a contrast dye injected
into the spinal canal to evaluate the spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding spaces.
5. A medical assistant is reviewing a laboratory requisition for a patient scheduled for a
fasting blood glucose test and a lipid panel. The patient states they drank a cup of black
coffee with artificial sweetener an hour prior to arrival. How should the medical assistant
proceed?
A. Inform the provider of the dietary intake before proceeding, as black coffee may be
acceptable, but clinic protocol or specific test parameters may require rescheduling or
documentation
B. Proceed with the blood draw immediately without informing anyone, since artificial
sweetener contains no actual sugar or calories
C. Cancel all laboratory orders for the day and instruct the patient to return next month without
providing further explanation
D. Falsify the laboratory requisition form to indicate that the patient was in a strict twelve-hour
fasting state to prevent scheduling delays
ANSWER: A. Inform the provider of the dietary intake before proceeding, as black coffee
may be acceptable, but clinic protocol or specific test parameters may require rescheduling
or documentation
Clear communication with the ordering provider regarding patient adherence to pre-test
instructions ensures diagnostic accuracy and prevents inaccurate clinical interpretations.
6. Which of the following administrative tasks is an essential component of managing
accounts receivable in a medical practice?
A. Following up on unpaid insurance claims past thirty days and generating patient billing
statements
B. Issuing vendor payments for clinic medical supplies and leasing equipment
C. Reconciling the monthly payroll register for all clinical and administrative personnel
D. Auditing the petty cash box for stationery purchases and parking vouchers
ANSWER: A. Following up on unpaid insurance claims past thirty days and generating
patient billing statements
Accounts receivable represents money owed to the practice by patients and insurance
companies. Active follow-up and timely statement generation maintain healthy cash flow.
, 7. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus presents to the clinic complaining of tremors,
diaphoresis, confusion, and cool, clammy skin. Capillary blood glucose reads 48 mg/dL.
What is the most appropriate immediate intervention by the medical assistant under
provider direction?
A. Administer a fast-acting oral glucose source, such as commercial glucose tablets or fruit
juice, if the patient is fully conscious and able to swallow
B. Instruct the patient to exercise vigorously in the hallway to burn off excess adrenaline
C. Administer a subcutaneous injection of long-acting insulin to lower the blood sugar reading
further
D. Place the patient in a prone position on the floor and wait thirty minutes for spontaneous
recovery
ANSWER: A. Administer a fast-acting oral glucose source, such as commercial glucose
tablets or fruit juice, if the patient is fully conscious and able to swallow
Hypoglycemia requires immediate administration of fast-acting carbohydrates to rapidly
elevate blood glucose levels and reverse acute neuroglycopenic symptoms.
8. When performing an electrocardiogram (ECG), a medical assistant notices wandering
baseline artifact on the tracing. Which corrective action should be taken first?
A. Check the patient electrode skin prep, ensure secure lead wire connections, and eliminate
tension on cables
B. Immediately disconnect the ECG machine from the wall outlet and run the test on internal
battery power
C. Turn off all overhead fluorescent lighting and medical diagnostic equipment within a half-
mile radius
D. Apply a heavy layer of petroleum jelly to the patient's chest wall underneath every electrode
tab
ANSWER: A. Check the patient electrode skin prep, ensure secure lead wire connections,
and eliminate tension on cables
Wandering baseline is frequently caused by poor skin contact, lotion or oil on the skin, loose
electrode tabs, or tension from dangling lead wires pulling on the sensors.
9. A medical assistant receives a telephone call from an irate patient demanding immediate
prescription refills for a controlled substance, stating that the clinic pharmacy lost their
medication. How should the medical assistant handle the call professionally?
ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE |
EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST| DOWNLOAD
INSTANT PDF
1. A medical assistant is preparing a sterile field for a minor surgical procedure in the
clinic. Which action compromises the sterility of the field and requires it to be immediately
discarded and reset?
A. Reaching across the sterile field with a sterile gloved hand to adjust a surgical instrument
B. Opening a sterile instrument pack and dropping the contents onto the center of the field from
a height of six inches
C. Turning away from the sterile field for a brief moment to check the patient's chart while
remaining within the immediate vicinity
D. Placing a sterile basin near the outer one-inch border of the drape where a non-sterile
assistant accidentally touches it
ANSWER: D. Placing a sterile basin near the outer one-inch border of the drape where a
non-sterile assistant accidentally touches it
The outer one-inch margin of a sterile field is considered contaminated. Any contact by a non-
sterile item or person in this boundary compromises the entire field, requiring it to be
replaced.
2. A patient arrives at the ambulatory care clinic visibly agitated, breathing rapidly, and
complaining of tightness in the chest and dizziness after receiving news of a family
emergency. Which initial administrative and clinical action should the medical assistant
take?
A. Immediately escort the patient to a quiet, private examination room, notify the provider, and
monitor vital signs while offering reassurance
B. Hand the patient a clipboard to complete all demographic and billing update forms before
allowing them to sit down
C. Instruct the patient to wait in the main lobby until their scheduled appointment slot opens in
forty-five minutes
, D. Administer a sublingual anti-anxiety medication from the emergency crash cart without
checking provider orders
ANSWER: A. Immediately escort the patient to a quiet, private examination room, notify
the provider, and monitor vital signs while offering reassurance
Promptly moving an acute patient to a private, controlled environment ensures safety, allows
for immediate clinical assessment by the provider, and minimizes external stressors.
3. During routine maintenance of the clinic's automated external defibrillator (AED), the
medical assistant notes that the expiration date on the pediatric electrode pads passed two
weeks ago. What is the appropriate next step?
A. Immediately replace the expired pads with a fresh, unexpired set and document the
inspection and replacement in the maintenance log
B. Leave the expired pads attached to the unit until an actual cardiac arrest occurs to preserve
inventory costs
C. Move the expired pediatric pads to the adult storage shelf to see if they will still function
during an emergency
D. Discard the pads entirely without replacement since pediatric emergencies are statistically
rare in a general outpatient clinic
ANSWER: A. Immediately replace the expired pads with a fresh, unexpired set and
document the inspection and replacement in the maintenance log
Emergency medical equipment must be maintained in a state of operational readiness at all
times. Expired consumables like electrode pads compromise device reliability and patient
safety.
4. A patient presents to the clinic with complaints of severe lower back pain radiating down
the right leg. The provider orders a diagnostic imaging study of the spinal column. Which
term best describes the radiographic visualization of the spinal canal after the injection of a
contrast medium?
A. Myelography
B. Arthrography
C. Pyelography
D. Cholecystography
ANSWER: A. Myelography
,Myelography is a specialized diagnostic imaging procedure that utilizes a contrast dye injected
into the spinal canal to evaluate the spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding spaces.
5. A medical assistant is reviewing a laboratory requisition for a patient scheduled for a
fasting blood glucose test and a lipid panel. The patient states they drank a cup of black
coffee with artificial sweetener an hour prior to arrival. How should the medical assistant
proceed?
A. Inform the provider of the dietary intake before proceeding, as black coffee may be
acceptable, but clinic protocol or specific test parameters may require rescheduling or
documentation
B. Proceed with the blood draw immediately without informing anyone, since artificial
sweetener contains no actual sugar or calories
C. Cancel all laboratory orders for the day and instruct the patient to return next month without
providing further explanation
D. Falsify the laboratory requisition form to indicate that the patient was in a strict twelve-hour
fasting state to prevent scheduling delays
ANSWER: A. Inform the provider of the dietary intake before proceeding, as black coffee
may be acceptable, but clinic protocol or specific test parameters may require rescheduling
or documentation
Clear communication with the ordering provider regarding patient adherence to pre-test
instructions ensures diagnostic accuracy and prevents inaccurate clinical interpretations.
6. Which of the following administrative tasks is an essential component of managing
accounts receivable in a medical practice?
A. Following up on unpaid insurance claims past thirty days and generating patient billing
statements
B. Issuing vendor payments for clinic medical supplies and leasing equipment
C. Reconciling the monthly payroll register for all clinical and administrative personnel
D. Auditing the petty cash box for stationery purchases and parking vouchers
ANSWER: A. Following up on unpaid insurance claims past thirty days and generating
patient billing statements
Accounts receivable represents money owed to the practice by patients and insurance
companies. Active follow-up and timely statement generation maintain healthy cash flow.
, 7. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus presents to the clinic complaining of tremors,
diaphoresis, confusion, and cool, clammy skin. Capillary blood glucose reads 48 mg/dL.
What is the most appropriate immediate intervention by the medical assistant under
provider direction?
A. Administer a fast-acting oral glucose source, such as commercial glucose tablets or fruit
juice, if the patient is fully conscious and able to swallow
B. Instruct the patient to exercise vigorously in the hallway to burn off excess adrenaline
C. Administer a subcutaneous injection of long-acting insulin to lower the blood sugar reading
further
D. Place the patient in a prone position on the floor and wait thirty minutes for spontaneous
recovery
ANSWER: A. Administer a fast-acting oral glucose source, such as commercial glucose
tablets or fruit juice, if the patient is fully conscious and able to swallow
Hypoglycemia requires immediate administration of fast-acting carbohydrates to rapidly
elevate blood glucose levels and reverse acute neuroglycopenic symptoms.
8. When performing an electrocardiogram (ECG), a medical assistant notices wandering
baseline artifact on the tracing. Which corrective action should be taken first?
A. Check the patient electrode skin prep, ensure secure lead wire connections, and eliminate
tension on cables
B. Immediately disconnect the ECG machine from the wall outlet and run the test on internal
battery power
C. Turn off all overhead fluorescent lighting and medical diagnostic equipment within a half-
mile radius
D. Apply a heavy layer of petroleum jelly to the patient's chest wall underneath every electrode
tab
ANSWER: A. Check the patient electrode skin prep, ensure secure lead wire connections,
and eliminate tension on cables
Wandering baseline is frequently caused by poor skin contact, lotion or oil on the skin, loose
electrode tabs, or tension from dangling lead wires pulling on the sensors.
9. A medical assistant receives a telephone call from an irate patient demanding immediate
prescription refills for a controlled substance, stating that the clinic pharmacy lost their
medication. How should the medical assistant handle the call professionally?
