Medical Assistant Certification Exam
What are the 4 parts to a patient's medical history? 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 body temperature, respiration and heart function
processes necessary for life?
what are the 4 vital signs of body function? temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure
Give the normal temp ranges for the following sites: rectal, rectal 98.6-100
oral, axillary and tympanic membrane? oral 97.6-99.6
axillary 96.6-98.6
tympanic 9.8.6
febrile v afebrile febrile is the presence of fever, afebrile is absence of fever
3 types of fever? intermittent, remittent and continuous
oral temperature is not taken from which patients? 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 30 minutes
eating drinking or smoking to take temp?
What method of taking temp is the least accurate? axillary (underarm)
normal adult pulse range 60-100 BPM
what is the site most commonly used for taking pulse? radial artery in wrist
normal range for adults respiration? 12-20 per minute
what are 3 respiration rate abnormalities? apnea- temporary complete absence of breathing
tachypnea- rate > 40.min
bradypnea- decease in number of respirations
What are to abnormalities in respiratory rhythm? Cheyne-Stokes- regular pattern of irregular breathing rate
Orthopnea- difficult to breathe unless in upwright position
what does depth of respiration refer to? amount of air that is inspired and expired during respiration
Stuvia 2026-2027
, Medical Assistant Certification Exam
what are three abnormalities in depth of respirations? 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 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? highest (systole) and lowest (diastole) amt of pressure exerted during cardiac cycle
Name some common errors in blood pressure improper cuff size, arm is not at heart level, cuff not deflated, improper cuff
measurmens placement
anthropometric refers to what? comparative measurements of the bdoy
What are the 4 principles of physical examination? inspection, palpation, percussion, ausculatationq
to make a diagnosis the physician utilizes what 3 sources? patient's health history, physical exam, and lab tests
horizontal recumbent position used for most physical exams
dorsal recumbent position
fowler's position used to promote drainage or ease breathing
dorsal lithotomy position used for exam of pelvic orgns
Stuvia 2026-2027
, Medical Assistant Certification Exam
prone position used to examine spine and back
Sim's position used for rectal examination
knee-chest position used for rectal and vaginal exams
trendelenburg position used for surgical procedures of pelvis and abdomen
Which organization is responsible for the identification of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
the various hazards present in the workplace and for the
creation of rules and regulation to minimize exposure to
hazards?
What are the 3 categories for safety hazards? physical hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards
for an external hemorrhage how is bleeding controlled? elevating the affected part above heart level and applying direct pressure to the
wound
when does shock occur? when there is insuffcient return of blood flow to the heart, resulting in inadequate
supply of oxygen
what are the common symptoms of shock? pale, cold clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, increased shallow breathing rate,
expressionless face
first aid for shcok maintain an open airway, call for assistance, keep victim lying dow, attempt to
control cause of shock
what are agents? infectious microorganisms that can be classified into groups
portal of exit and portal of entry portal of exit is the method by which infectious agent leaves its resevoir; portal of
entry allows infectious agent access to suceptible host
Stuvia 2026-2027
What are the 4 parts to a patient's medical history? 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 body temperature, respiration and heart function
processes necessary for life?
what are the 4 vital signs of body function? temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure
Give the normal temp ranges for the following sites: rectal, rectal 98.6-100
oral, axillary and tympanic membrane? oral 97.6-99.6
axillary 96.6-98.6
tympanic 9.8.6
febrile v afebrile febrile is the presence of fever, afebrile is absence of fever
3 types of fever? intermittent, remittent and continuous
oral temperature is not taken from which patients? 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 30 minutes
eating drinking or smoking to take temp?
What method of taking temp is the least accurate? axillary (underarm)
normal adult pulse range 60-100 BPM
what is the site most commonly used for taking pulse? radial artery in wrist
normal range for adults respiration? 12-20 per minute
what are 3 respiration rate abnormalities? apnea- temporary complete absence of breathing
tachypnea- rate > 40.min
bradypnea- decease in number of respirations
What are to abnormalities in respiratory rhythm? Cheyne-Stokes- regular pattern of irregular breathing rate
Orthopnea- difficult to breathe unless in upwright position
what does depth of respiration refer to? amount of air that is inspired and expired during respiration
Stuvia 2026-2027
, Medical Assistant Certification Exam
what are three abnormalities in depth of respirations? 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 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? highest (systole) and lowest (diastole) amt of pressure exerted during cardiac cycle
Name some common errors in blood pressure improper cuff size, arm is not at heart level, cuff not deflated, improper cuff
measurmens placement
anthropometric refers to what? comparative measurements of the bdoy
What are the 4 principles of physical examination? inspection, palpation, percussion, ausculatationq
to make a diagnosis the physician utilizes what 3 sources? patient's health history, physical exam, and lab tests
horizontal recumbent position used for most physical exams
dorsal recumbent position
fowler's position used to promote drainage or ease breathing
dorsal lithotomy position used for exam of pelvic orgns
Stuvia 2026-2027
, Medical Assistant Certification Exam
prone position used to examine spine and back
Sim's position used for rectal examination
knee-chest position used for rectal and vaginal exams
trendelenburg position used for surgical procedures of pelvis and abdomen
Which organization is responsible for the identification of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
the various hazards present in the workplace and for the
creation of rules and regulation to minimize exposure to
hazards?
What are the 3 categories for safety hazards? physical hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards
for an external hemorrhage how is bleeding controlled? elevating the affected part above heart level and applying direct pressure to the
wound
when does shock occur? when there is insuffcient return of blood flow to the heart, resulting in inadequate
supply of oxygen
what are the common symptoms of shock? pale, cold clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, increased shallow breathing rate,
expressionless face
first aid for shcok maintain an open airway, call for assistance, keep victim lying dow, attempt to
control cause of shock
what are agents? infectious microorganisms that can be classified into groups
portal of exit and portal of entry portal of exit is the method by which infectious agent leaves its resevoir; portal of
entry allows infectious agent access to suceptible host
Stuvia 2026-2027
