, Question 1
A medical assistant receives a verbal order for a Schedule II controlled
substance. According to federal law and standard practice, which action is
required?
A. Transcribe the order and have the provider sign within 7 days
B. Refuse to accept the order because verbal orders for Schedule II are
prohibited
C. Accept the order only if the provider is physically present
D. Document the order as a telephone order and read it back for
verification
Correct Answer: B - Refuse to accept the order because verbal
orders for Schedule II are prohibited
RATIONALE
Federal DEA regulations prohibit verbal orders for Schedule II
controlled substances in outpatient settings; they must be written and
signed by the prescriber. Options A, C, and D reflect practices
applicable to other schedules or settings but not to Schedule II verbal
orders.
Question 2
Which CLSI-recommended order of draw is correct for capillary puncture
when collecting a EDTA microtainer and a serum separator tube?
A. EDTA first, then serum separator
B. Serum separator first, then EDTA
C. Either order is acceptable if collected within 2 minutes
D. Serum separator first only if a clot activator is used
Correct Answer: B - Serum separator first, then EDTA
Page 2
, RATIONALE
CLSI capillary order of draw places tubes with clot activators or serum
separators before EDTA to prevent additive carryover. EDTA first can
contaminate the serum sample with potassium and chelating agents,
invalidating chemistry results.
Question 3
A provider orders 0.125 mg of digoxin PO daily. The pharmacy supplies 0.25
mg tablets. How many tablets should the medical assistant administer?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: A - 0.5 tablet
RATIONALE
Using the formula dose desired / dose on hand = 0.125 mg / 0.25 mg =
0.5 tablet. Administering 1 or more tablets would double or quadruple
the ordered dose, risking digoxin toxicity.
Question 4
A patient's spirometry results show an FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.65 with a reduced
FEV1 that improves 15% after bronchodilator. Which interpretation is most
consistent?
A. Restrictive lung disease
B. Obstructive lung disease with reversible component
C. Normal spirometry
D. Mixed obstructive-restrictive pattern
Correct Answer: B - Obstructive lung disease with reversible
component
Page 3
, RATIONALE
An FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.70 indicates obstruction, and a 15%
improvement in FEV1 post-bronchodilator supports reversibility,
typical of asthma. Restrictive disease would show a normal or
increased ratio with reduced lung volumes.
Question 5
Which action best demonstrates the principle of veracity in a medical assisting
role?
A. Withholding a terminal diagnosis from a patient at family request
B. Informing a patient about a needlestick injury that occurred during
their care
C. Sharing patient information with a colleague who is not involved in
care
D. Documenting a procedure as performed when it was not
Correct Answer: B - Informing a patient about a needlestick
injury that occurred during their care
RATIONALE
Veracity requires truthfulness; disclosing a needlestick exposure to the
affected patient upholds this duty. Withholding diagnosis,
unauthorized sharing, or falsifying documentation violates veracity
and other ethical principles.
Question 6
A patient calls reporting a temperature of 101.5°F, sore throat, and new rash
after starting amoxicillin 3 days ago. What is the medical assistant's priority
action?
A. Schedule a routine appointment for next week
B. Advise the patient to stop the antibiotic and use an antihistamine
C. Transfer the call immediately to the provider for possible
Page 4
A medical assistant receives a verbal order for a Schedule II controlled
substance. According to federal law and standard practice, which action is
required?
A. Transcribe the order and have the provider sign within 7 days
B. Refuse to accept the order because verbal orders for Schedule II are
prohibited
C. Accept the order only if the provider is physically present
D. Document the order as a telephone order and read it back for
verification
Correct Answer: B - Refuse to accept the order because verbal
orders for Schedule II are prohibited
RATIONALE
Federal DEA regulations prohibit verbal orders for Schedule II
controlled substances in outpatient settings; they must be written and
signed by the prescriber. Options A, C, and D reflect practices
applicable to other schedules or settings but not to Schedule II verbal
orders.
Question 2
Which CLSI-recommended order of draw is correct for capillary puncture
when collecting a EDTA microtainer and a serum separator tube?
A. EDTA first, then serum separator
B. Serum separator first, then EDTA
C. Either order is acceptable if collected within 2 minutes
D. Serum separator first only if a clot activator is used
Correct Answer: B - Serum separator first, then EDTA
Page 2
, RATIONALE
CLSI capillary order of draw places tubes with clot activators or serum
separators before EDTA to prevent additive carryover. EDTA first can
contaminate the serum sample with potassium and chelating agents,
invalidating chemistry results.
Question 3
A provider orders 0.125 mg of digoxin PO daily. The pharmacy supplies 0.25
mg tablets. How many tablets should the medical assistant administer?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: A - 0.5 tablet
RATIONALE
Using the formula dose desired / dose on hand = 0.125 mg / 0.25 mg =
0.5 tablet. Administering 1 or more tablets would double or quadruple
the ordered dose, risking digoxin toxicity.
Question 4
A patient's spirometry results show an FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.65 with a reduced
FEV1 that improves 15% after bronchodilator. Which interpretation is most
consistent?
A. Restrictive lung disease
B. Obstructive lung disease with reversible component
C. Normal spirometry
D. Mixed obstructive-restrictive pattern
Correct Answer: B - Obstructive lung disease with reversible
component
Page 3
, RATIONALE
An FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.70 indicates obstruction, and a 15%
improvement in FEV1 post-bronchodilator supports reversibility,
typical of asthma. Restrictive disease would show a normal or
increased ratio with reduced lung volumes.
Question 5
Which action best demonstrates the principle of veracity in a medical assisting
role?
A. Withholding a terminal diagnosis from a patient at family request
B. Informing a patient about a needlestick injury that occurred during
their care
C. Sharing patient information with a colleague who is not involved in
care
D. Documenting a procedure as performed when it was not
Correct Answer: B - Informing a patient about a needlestick
injury that occurred during their care
RATIONALE
Veracity requires truthfulness; disclosing a needlestick exposure to the
affected patient upholds this duty. Withholding diagnosis,
unauthorized sharing, or falsifying documentation violates veracity
and other ethical principles.
Question 6
A patient calls reporting a temperature of 101.5°F, sore throat, and new rash
after starting amoxicillin 3 days ago. What is the medical assistant's priority
action?
A. Schedule a routine appointment for next week
B. Advise the patient to stop the antibiotic and use an antihistamine
C. Transfer the call immediately to the provider for possible
Page 4
