1. A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a physical examination. Which of the following
positions is most appropriate for a rectal examination?
a) Supine
b) Prone
c) Sims
d) Fowler's
2. When performing a 12-lead ECG, which of the following is the correct placement for the V4
electrode?
a) Midclavicular line, fifth intercostal space
b) Midclavicular line, fourth intercostal space
c) Anterior axillary line, fifth intercostal space
d) Midaxillary line, fourth intercostal space
3. A medical assistant is obtaining a blood pressure reading from a patient. Which of the following
Korotkoff sounds represents the diastolic blood pressure?
a) The first sound heard
b) The second sound heard
c) The third sound heard
d) The disappearance of sound
4. A medical assistant is performing a venipuncture on a patient. Which of the following veins is the
most commonly used for routine blood draws?
a) Median cubital vein
b) Cephalic vein
c) Basilic vein
d) Brachial vein
5. A medical assistant is administering a subcutaneous injection to a patient. Which of the following
needle gauges is most appropriate for this type of injection?
, a) 18 gauge
b) 21 gauge
c) 25 gauge
d) 27 gauge
6. A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a Pap smear. Which of the following positions is most
appropriate for this procedure?
a) Supine
b) Prone
c) Sims'
d) Lithotomy
7. A medical assistant is performing a spirometry test on a patient. Which of the following instructions
should the medical assistant give to the patient before the test?
a) "Take a deep breath and exhale slowly."
b) "Take a normal breath and hold it for 10 seconds."
c) "Take a deep breath and exhale as forcefully and quickly as possible."
d) "Breathe normally throughout the test."
8. A medical assistant is collecting a urine specimen from a patient for a culture and sensitivity test.
Which of the following methods of collection is most appropriate?
a) Random urine specimen
b) First morning urine specimen
c) Clean-catch midstream urine specimen
d) 24-hour urine specimen
9. A medical assistant is performing an ear irrigation on a patient. Which of the following is a potential
complication of this procedure?
a) Vertigo
b) Tinnitus
c) Hearing loss
, d) All of the above
10. A medical assistant is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a patient. Which of the
following muscles is a common site for this type of injection?
a) Deltoid muscle
b) Vastus lateralis muscle
c) Ventrogluteal muscle
d) All of the above
11. Which of the following is the most common method for cleaning and sterilizing surgical
instruments?
a) Autoclave
b) Boiling
c) Chemical disinfection
d) Dry heat sterilization
12. A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a minor surgical procedure. Which of the following is
an important step in the skin preparation process?
a) Shaving the surgical site
b) Cleaning the surgical site with an antiseptic solution
c) Applying a sterile dressing to the surgical site
d) All of the above
13. Which of the following is a common method for controlling bleeding during a minor surgical
procedure?
a) Applying direct pressure
b) Elevating the affected area
c) Applying a cold compress
d) All of the above
14. A medical assistant is assisting with the removal of sutures. Which of the following is an important
step in this procedure?
, a) Cleaning the suture line with an antiseptic solution
b) Pulling the suture knot toward the incision line
c) Cutting the suture close to the skin
d) All of the above
15. Which of the following is a common type of bandage used to support a sprained ankle?
a) Figure-eight bandage
b) Spiral bandage
c) Circular bandage
d) Recurrent bandage
16. A medical assistant is obtaining a blood specimen from a patient. Which of the following is the
correct order of draw for evacuated tubes?
a) Gray, light blue, red, green
b) Light blue, red, green, gray
c) Yellow, light blue, red, green, lavender, gray
d) Red, green, lavender, gray, light blue, yellow
17. A medical assistant is performing a capillary puncture on an infant. Which of the following sites is
most appropriate for this procedure?
a) Fingertip
b) Earlobe
c) Heel
d) Antecubital fossa
18. A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a Holter monitor. Which of the following instructions
should the medical assistant give to the patient?
a) "You can shower or bathe while wearing the monitor."
b) "Keep a diary of your activities and any symptoms you experience."
c) "Remove the electrodes before going to bed."
d) "Do not exercise while wearing the monitor."