1000 Flashcards Certified Medical Assistant® (CMA) exam
A patient has BP 90/60, HR 120, RR 28. What Possible shock or hypovolemia; elevated HR and RR with low BP
clinical concern should you suspect? indicate compensatory response to poor perfusion.
What is the correct medical abbreviation for "a.c." (ante cibum)
"before meals"?
The term "bradycardia" refers to a heart rate of Less than 60 bpm
______ beats per minute in adults.
A MA documents "SOB" in a chart. What does this Shortness of breath
abbreviation mean?
A pulse oximeter measures blood glucose levels. False — it measures oxygen saturation (SpO₂), not glucose.
Why must open-ended questions be used during They encourage detailed responses, improving accuracy of subjective
patient interviews? data collection.
Page 1
,1000 Flashcards Certified Medical Assistant® (CMA) exam
Which is a critical error in documentation? A) C — altering past entry without proper correction violates legal
Timely entry B) Use of ink C) Altering past entry documentation standards.
without notation D) Objective language
A patient says "I feel dizzy when I stand up." What Subjective data (patient-reported symptoms).
type of data is this?
Define "tachypnea." Abnormally rapid breathing rate, typically >20 breaths/min in adults.
What is the FIRST step before taking vital signs? Perform hand hygiene and verify patient identity.
The prefix "hypo-" means ______. Below or deficient
A patient refuses blood pressure measurement. Respect refusal, document it, and notify the provider.
What should the MA do first?
Page 2
,1000 Flashcards Certified Medical Assistant® (CMA) exam
Medical assistants can independently diagnose False — MAs assist providers but do not diagnose.
conditions.
What is the purpose of a SOAP note? To structure documentation: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan.
A patient has fever, tachycardia, and chills. What Possible infection or systemic inflammatory response.
condition is suspected?
What is "orthopnea"? Difficulty breathing when lying flat.
"Dyspnea" means ______. Difficulty breathing
Why is patient identification done twice? To prevent medical errors and ensure correct patient care.
A MA forgets to chart a medication given. What Document immediately with correct notation—never falsify or
should they do? backdate.
What is the normal adult respiratory rate? 12-20 breaths per minute
Page 3
, 1000 Flashcards Certified Medical Assistant® (CMA) exam
A patient appears anxious and sweating before BP White coat syndrome (anxiety causing elevated BP).
check. What may affect readings?
Define "medical asepsis." Practices used to reduce spread of microorganisms.
Verbal orders from providers must be repeated True — prevents miscommunication errors.
back for confirmation.
What does "NPO" mean? Nothing by mouth
"Hypertension" refers to ______ blood pressure. High
A MA documents pain as "10/10 but patient is Inconsistent subjective-objective documentation (lack of clinical
texting and smiling." What error is this? accuracy).
What is pulse deficit? Difference between apical and radial pulse rates.
Why is medical terminology important in CMA Ensures clear, standardized communication across healthcare teams.
practice?
What is the purpose of wellness screenings? Early detection and prevention of disease.
Page 4
A patient has BP 90/60, HR 120, RR 28. What Possible shock or hypovolemia; elevated HR and RR with low BP
clinical concern should you suspect? indicate compensatory response to poor perfusion.
What is the correct medical abbreviation for "a.c." (ante cibum)
"before meals"?
The term "bradycardia" refers to a heart rate of Less than 60 bpm
______ beats per minute in adults.
A MA documents "SOB" in a chart. What does this Shortness of breath
abbreviation mean?
A pulse oximeter measures blood glucose levels. False — it measures oxygen saturation (SpO₂), not glucose.
Why must open-ended questions be used during They encourage detailed responses, improving accuracy of subjective
patient interviews? data collection.
Page 1
,1000 Flashcards Certified Medical Assistant® (CMA) exam
Which is a critical error in documentation? A) C — altering past entry without proper correction violates legal
Timely entry B) Use of ink C) Altering past entry documentation standards.
without notation D) Objective language
A patient says "I feel dizzy when I stand up." What Subjective data (patient-reported symptoms).
type of data is this?
Define "tachypnea." Abnormally rapid breathing rate, typically >20 breaths/min in adults.
What is the FIRST step before taking vital signs? Perform hand hygiene and verify patient identity.
The prefix "hypo-" means ______. Below or deficient
A patient refuses blood pressure measurement. Respect refusal, document it, and notify the provider.
What should the MA do first?
Page 2
,1000 Flashcards Certified Medical Assistant® (CMA) exam
Medical assistants can independently diagnose False — MAs assist providers but do not diagnose.
conditions.
What is the purpose of a SOAP note? To structure documentation: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan.
A patient has fever, tachycardia, and chills. What Possible infection or systemic inflammatory response.
condition is suspected?
What is "orthopnea"? Difficulty breathing when lying flat.
"Dyspnea" means ______. Difficulty breathing
Why is patient identification done twice? To prevent medical errors and ensure correct patient care.
A MA forgets to chart a medication given. What Document immediately with correct notation—never falsify or
should they do? backdate.
What is the normal adult respiratory rate? 12-20 breaths per minute
Page 3
, 1000 Flashcards Certified Medical Assistant® (CMA) exam
A patient appears anxious and sweating before BP White coat syndrome (anxiety causing elevated BP).
check. What may affect readings?
Define "medical asepsis." Practices used to reduce spread of microorganisms.
Verbal orders from providers must be repeated True — prevents miscommunication errors.
back for confirmation.
What does "NPO" mean? Nothing by mouth
"Hypertension" refers to ______ blood pressure. High
A MA documents pain as "10/10 but patient is Inconsistent subjective-objective documentation (lack of clinical
texting and smiling." What error is this? accuracy).
What is pulse deficit? Difference between apical and radial pulse rates.
Why is medical terminology important in CMA Ensures clear, standardized communication across healthcare teams.
practice?
What is the purpose of wellness screenings? Early detection and prevention of disease.
Page 4
