HOSA MEDICAL ASSISTING QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
tissue forceps - ANSWER an instrument w/ one or more fine points (teeth) at the tips of blades; used to
grasp tissue
towel clamps - ANSWER instruments w/ pointed ends that lock together; used to attach surgical drapes
to each other and/or clamp dissected tissue
Sim's - ANSWER patient lis on left side w/ right leg bent up near the abdomen
dorsal recumbent - ANSWER patient lies on back w/ knees flexed & separated; used for vaginal & pelvic
exams
knee-chest - ANSWER patient rests body weight on knees & chest; used for sigmoidoscope & rectal
exams
Fowler's - ANSWER patient lies on back w/ head elevated at an angle
supine (horizontal recumbent) position - ANSWER patient lies flat on back, hands at sides & legs
outstretched
lithotomy - ANSWER the patient lies on back w/ feet in stirrups and knees flexed & separated
proctologic (jackknife) - ANSWER patient lies on stomach w/ the head & legs inclined downward & rectal
area elevated
ophthalmoscope - ANSWER instrument used to examine the retina of the eye
Ayer Blade/cervical spatula - ANSWER wood/plastic blade used to scrape cells from the cervix of the
uterus, used for pap tests
, needle holder - ANSWER instrument to hold/support a needle while sutures are being inserted
otoscope - ANSWER instrument to examine the ear
Snellen charts - ANSWER special charts that use letters/symbols in calibrated heights to check visual
acuity
Physician's Desk Reference - ANSWER reference book that contains essential information on medications
sphygmomanometer - ANSWER instrument that measures blood pressure in mm of mercury (mmHg)
palpation - ANSWER the act of using hands to feel body parts during an exam
percussion - ANSWER process of tapping various body parts during an exam
sigmoidoscope - ANSWER instrument that examines the sigmoid, or S-shaped, section of the large
intestine
leads - ANSWER angles/views of the heart that is recorded in an electrocardiogram
suture removal set - ANSWER set of instruments, including suture scissors & thumb forceps, used to
remove sutures
Papanicolaou - ANSWER aka Pap test; a test to clarify abnormal cells obtained from the vagina/cervix
tuning fork - ANSWER instrument w/ two prongs & is used to test hearing acuity
visual acuity - ANSWER ability to perceive & comprehend light rays, seeing
sutures - ANSWER surgical stitch used to join the edges of an incision or wound; also an area where
bones fuse together
AND ANSWERS WITH SOLUTIONS 2024
tissue forceps - ANSWER an instrument w/ one or more fine points (teeth) at the tips of blades; used to
grasp tissue
towel clamps - ANSWER instruments w/ pointed ends that lock together; used to attach surgical drapes
to each other and/or clamp dissected tissue
Sim's - ANSWER patient lis on left side w/ right leg bent up near the abdomen
dorsal recumbent - ANSWER patient lies on back w/ knees flexed & separated; used for vaginal & pelvic
exams
knee-chest - ANSWER patient rests body weight on knees & chest; used for sigmoidoscope & rectal
exams
Fowler's - ANSWER patient lies on back w/ head elevated at an angle
supine (horizontal recumbent) position - ANSWER patient lies flat on back, hands at sides & legs
outstretched
lithotomy - ANSWER the patient lies on back w/ feet in stirrups and knees flexed & separated
proctologic (jackknife) - ANSWER patient lies on stomach w/ the head & legs inclined downward & rectal
area elevated
ophthalmoscope - ANSWER instrument used to examine the retina of the eye
Ayer Blade/cervical spatula - ANSWER wood/plastic blade used to scrape cells from the cervix of the
uterus, used for pap tests
, needle holder - ANSWER instrument to hold/support a needle while sutures are being inserted
otoscope - ANSWER instrument to examine the ear
Snellen charts - ANSWER special charts that use letters/symbols in calibrated heights to check visual
acuity
Physician's Desk Reference - ANSWER reference book that contains essential information on medications
sphygmomanometer - ANSWER instrument that measures blood pressure in mm of mercury (mmHg)
palpation - ANSWER the act of using hands to feel body parts during an exam
percussion - ANSWER process of tapping various body parts during an exam
sigmoidoscope - ANSWER instrument that examines the sigmoid, or S-shaped, section of the large
intestine
leads - ANSWER angles/views of the heart that is recorded in an electrocardiogram
suture removal set - ANSWER set of instruments, including suture scissors & thumb forceps, used to
remove sutures
Papanicolaou - ANSWER aka Pap test; a test to clarify abnormal cells obtained from the vagina/cervix
tuning fork - ANSWER instrument w/ two prongs & is used to test hearing acuity
visual acuity - ANSWER ability to perceive & comprehend light rays, seeing
sutures - ANSWER surgical stitch used to join the edges of an incision or wound; also an area where
bones fuse together
