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MEDICAL ASSISTING: ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLINICAL
COMPETENCIES (4TH EDITION) BY KATHY BONEWIT-WEST,
SUE HUNT, AND EDITH APPLEGATE EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
These questions cover the major domains tested in CMA/RMA exams and align with the
textbook’s structure: Administrative, Clinical, Laboratory, and Professional/Legal.
Section 1: Professionalism, Law, and Ethics
1. A medical assistant discovers that a physician has prescribed a medication for a
patient who is allergic to it. The MA informs the physician, but the physician insists on
filling the prescription. What is the most appropriate action for the MA to take?
A) Fill the prescription as ordered to maintain employment
B) Refuse to fill the prescription and document the refusal
C) Call the pharmacy to explain the allergy
D) Ask the patient if they want to take the risk
Answer: B
Rationale: Medical assistants must adhere to the standard of care. Administering a
known allergen constitutes negligence/malpractice. The MA has a duty to refuse unsafe
orders and document the incident.
2. Which legal doctrine holds an employer liable for the negligent acts of employees
performed within the scope of their employment?
A) Respondeat Superior
B) Res Ipsa Loquitur
C) Contributory Negligence
D) Statute of Limitations
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Answer: A
Rationale: Respondeat Superior ("let the master answer") makes employers legally
responsible for the actions of their employees if those actions occur during work duties.
3. Under HIPAA regulations, when is a medical assistant permitted to disclose
protected health information (PHI) without patient authorization?
A) When a family member calls asking for results
B) For treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO)
C) When the police request records for a minor injury
D) When a neighbor asks about a mutual friend’s diagnosis
Answer: B
Rationale: HIPAA allows disclosure without specific authorization for Treatment,
Payment, and Healthcare Operations. All other disclosures generally require written
consent.
4. A patient signs a form allowing the physician to perform a specific surgical procedure.
This is an example of which type of consent?
A) Implied Consent
B) Informed Consent
C) General Consent
D) Verbal Consent
Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires the patient to understand the risks, benefits, and
alternatives of a specific procedure before signing. Implied consent is for routine exams
(e.g., rolling up a sleeve).
5. Which document outlines the ethical principles and standards of conduct for
medical assistants?
A) The Hippocratic Oath
B) The AMA Code of Ethics
C) The AAMA Code of Ethics
D) The Patient’s Bill of Rights
Answer: C
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Rationale: The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) publishes the Code
of Ethics specifically for MAs, emphasizing confidentiality, dignity, and continuous
improvement.
Section 2: Administrative Medical Assisting
6. When scheduling appointments using the "wave scheduling" method, how are
patients typically booked?
A) One patient every 15 minutes strictly
B) Two or three patients at the top of the hour
C) Only emergency patients are scheduled
D) Patients are booked randomly throughout the day
Answer: B
Rationale: Wave scheduling books multiple patients (e.g., 2-3) at the start of an hour,
expecting them to be seen in sequence. It accommodates no-shows but can cause
bottlenecks.
7. Which filing system arranges patient records alphabetically by the second letter of
the last name if the first letters are identical?
A) Straight Numeric Filing
B) Unit Numbering System
C) Alphabetical Filing with Cross-Referencing
D) Color-Coded Filing
Answer: C
Rationale: In alphabetical filing, if two names start with the same letter (e.g., Smith and
Smyth), you file by the subsequent letters. Cross-referencing is used for name changes.
8. What is the primary purpose of a "superbill" in a medical office?
A) To schedule patient appointments
B) To serve as an itemized receipt and insurance claim source
C) To track employee payroll hours
D) To order medical supplies from vendors
Answer: B
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Rationale: A superbill lists services provided (CPT codes) and diagnoses (ICD-10
codes). It serves as a receipt for the patient and the basis for generating insurance
claims.
9. Which postal service class is most appropriate for sending certified mail with a return
receipt requested?
A) First-Class Mail
B) Standard Bulk Mail
C) Priority Mail Express
D) Media Mail
Answer: A
Rationale: Certified mail is a special service added to First-Class Mail. It provides proof
of mailing and delivery, often used for legal documents or billing disputes.
10. When managing inventory, what does the acronym "FIFO" stand for?
A) First In, First Out
B) Fast Inventory, Fast Order
C) Final Inspection, Final Output
D) Fixed Input, Fixed Output
Answer: A
Rationale: FIFO ensures that older stock (first in) is used before newer stock (first out),
preventing expiration of medications and supplies.
Section 3: Clinical Procedures & Patient Care
11. What is the correct position for a patient undergoing a sigmoidoscopy?
A) Supine
B) Sims’ Position (Left Lateral)
C) Prone
D) Trendelenburg
Answer: B
Rationale: Sims’ position (lying on the left side with right knee flexed) allows gravity to
help visualize the sigmoid colon and rectum during examination.
12. Which site is preferred for intramuscular (IM) injections in infants under 12 months?
MEDICAL ASSISTING: ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLINICAL
COMPETENCIES (4TH EDITION) BY KATHY BONEWIT-WEST,
SUE HUNT, AND EDITH APPLEGATE EXAM LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
These questions cover the major domains tested in CMA/RMA exams and align with the
textbook’s structure: Administrative, Clinical, Laboratory, and Professional/Legal.
Section 1: Professionalism, Law, and Ethics
1. A medical assistant discovers that a physician has prescribed a medication for a
patient who is allergic to it. The MA informs the physician, but the physician insists on
filling the prescription. What is the most appropriate action for the MA to take?
A) Fill the prescription as ordered to maintain employment
B) Refuse to fill the prescription and document the refusal
C) Call the pharmacy to explain the allergy
D) Ask the patient if they want to take the risk
Answer: B
Rationale: Medical assistants must adhere to the standard of care. Administering a
known allergen constitutes negligence/malpractice. The MA has a duty to refuse unsafe
orders and document the incident.
2. Which legal doctrine holds an employer liable for the negligent acts of employees
performed within the scope of their employment?
A) Respondeat Superior
B) Res Ipsa Loquitur
C) Contributory Negligence
D) Statute of Limitations
, Page 2 of 72
Answer: A
Rationale: Respondeat Superior ("let the master answer") makes employers legally
responsible for the actions of their employees if those actions occur during work duties.
3. Under HIPAA regulations, when is a medical assistant permitted to disclose
protected health information (PHI) without patient authorization?
A) When a family member calls asking for results
B) For treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO)
C) When the police request records for a minor injury
D) When a neighbor asks about a mutual friend’s diagnosis
Answer: B
Rationale: HIPAA allows disclosure without specific authorization for Treatment,
Payment, and Healthcare Operations. All other disclosures generally require written
consent.
4. A patient signs a form allowing the physician to perform a specific surgical procedure.
This is an example of which type of consent?
A) Implied Consent
B) Informed Consent
C) General Consent
D) Verbal Consent
Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires the patient to understand the risks, benefits, and
alternatives of a specific procedure before signing. Implied consent is for routine exams
(e.g., rolling up a sleeve).
5. Which document outlines the ethical principles and standards of conduct for
medical assistants?
A) The Hippocratic Oath
B) The AMA Code of Ethics
C) The AAMA Code of Ethics
D) The Patient’s Bill of Rights
Answer: C
, Page 3 of 72
Rationale: The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) publishes the Code
of Ethics specifically for MAs, emphasizing confidentiality, dignity, and continuous
improvement.
Section 2: Administrative Medical Assisting
6. When scheduling appointments using the "wave scheduling" method, how are
patients typically booked?
A) One patient every 15 minutes strictly
B) Two or three patients at the top of the hour
C) Only emergency patients are scheduled
D) Patients are booked randomly throughout the day
Answer: B
Rationale: Wave scheduling books multiple patients (e.g., 2-3) at the start of an hour,
expecting them to be seen in sequence. It accommodates no-shows but can cause
bottlenecks.
7. Which filing system arranges patient records alphabetically by the second letter of
the last name if the first letters are identical?
A) Straight Numeric Filing
B) Unit Numbering System
C) Alphabetical Filing with Cross-Referencing
D) Color-Coded Filing
Answer: C
Rationale: In alphabetical filing, if two names start with the same letter (e.g., Smith and
Smyth), you file by the subsequent letters. Cross-referencing is used for name changes.
8. What is the primary purpose of a "superbill" in a medical office?
A) To schedule patient appointments
B) To serve as an itemized receipt and insurance claim source
C) To track employee payroll hours
D) To order medical supplies from vendors
Answer: B
, Page 4 of 72
Rationale: A superbill lists services provided (CPT codes) and diagnoses (ICD-10
codes). It serves as a receipt for the patient and the basis for generating insurance
claims.
9. Which postal service class is most appropriate for sending certified mail with a return
receipt requested?
A) First-Class Mail
B) Standard Bulk Mail
C) Priority Mail Express
D) Media Mail
Answer: A
Rationale: Certified mail is a special service added to First-Class Mail. It provides proof
of mailing and delivery, often used for legal documents or billing disputes.
10. When managing inventory, what does the acronym "FIFO" stand for?
A) First In, First Out
B) Fast Inventory, Fast Order
C) Final Inspection, Final Output
D) Fixed Input, Fixed Output
Answer: A
Rationale: FIFO ensures that older stock (first in) is used before newer stock (first out),
preventing expiration of medications and supplies.
Section 3: Clinical Procedures & Patient Care
11. What is the correct position for a patient undergoing a sigmoidoscopy?
A) Supine
B) Sims’ Position (Left Lateral)
C) Prone
D) Trendelenburg
Answer: B
Rationale: Sims’ position (lying on the left side with right knee flexed) allows gravity to
help visualize the sigmoid colon and rectum during examination.
12. Which site is preferred for intramuscular (IM) injections in infants under 12 months?
