NHA: Medical Assistant(CCMA)
Certification Practice Test 2.0 A.
Questions with rationale answers
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has congestive heart failure (CHF) for an examination by
the provider. Which of the following manifestations should the assistant expect?-ANS-Shortness of
breath (SOB)
Expected manifestations of CHF include shortness of breath, fatigue, and edema
When measuring a patients respiratory rate, which of the following actions should a medical assistant
take to ensure an accurate reading?-ANS-Count the respiration's while the patient thinks his pulse is
being obtained.
In order to obtain the most accurate reading, the assistant should count the respirations without the
patient being aware that his breathing is being assessed. The patient can easily control or alter breathing
patterns when he is conscious that the assistant is paying attention to his respirations.
Which of the following laboratory results should the medical assistant recognize is abnormal?-ANS-
Potassium 3 mEq/L
This potassium level is below the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L.
A provider has requested a dissecting instrument on a sterile tray that a medical assistant is preparing.
Which of the following instruments should the assistant include on the tray?-ANS-Scissors
Scissors are considered cutting and dissecting instruments because they include a sharp blade or surface
that can cut, dissect, or scrape.
,A medical assistant is replacing a sharps container in an examination room and receives a small
laceration on her arm from the plastic lid. Which of the following types of documentation should the
assistant complete as a result of this incident?-ANS-OSHA Form 301
The assistant should recognize that the OSHA Form 301 is an incident report used when reporting details
about a work-related injury or illness.
A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's history prior to the patient's appointment. Which of the
following laboratory results indicates the need to schedule an extension of the current visit?-ANS-
Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL
This fasting blood glucose level is above the expected reference range of 70 to 130 mg/dL. The assistant
should notify the provider and schedule an extension of the patient's visit.
A medical assistant is reinforcing instructions with a patient about how to take a buccal tablet.which of
the following instructions should the assistant give the patient?-ANS-"Place the tablet between you or
gums and cheek."
The assistant should instruct the patient to place the buccal tablet between his gums and his cheek. A
buccal tablet acts faster than oral tablets because it does not need to pass through the gastrointestinal
tract to be absorbed.
Which of the following terms should a medical assistant use to tell a provider that a patient is having
discomfort and difficulty breathing?-ANS-Dyspnea
Dyspnea is a term used to indicate that a patient is experiencing difficult or painful breathing.
Which of the following methods is used to notify a provider of the denial of a claim by an insurance
carrier?-ANS-Remittance advice
,A remittance advice document itemizes all paid, denied, and allowable charges for a patient. This
document notifies the provider of any and all claim denials.
Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic exam?-ANS-Lithotomy
The lithotomy position is appropriate for pelvic examinations.
Which of the following cardiac procedures is within a medical assistants scope of practice and does not
require a licensed technician or provider to assist or perform it?-ANS-Holter monitor application
A Holter monitor is a system for recording cardiac activity for 24 hr or longer. It is within an assistant's
scope of practice to place and remove a Holter monitor.
Which of the following EKG artifacts is caused by a disconnected electrode and results in the tracing
going into the margins of the paper?-ANS-Interrupted baseline
Interrupted baseline is caused by an electrical disconnection or a detached electrode and results in the
tracing moving into the margins of the paper.
A medical assistant receives a telephone call from a patient who seems anxious about the results of a
test. Which of the following responses should the assistant make?-ANS-"I know you are concerned
about your test results. We'll call you as soon as your results come in."
This response shows empathy and active listening skills on the part of the assistant, which
communicates to the patient that the assistant recognizes his emotions. Empathy allows the assistant to
validate the patient's emotions without becoming unprofessional and losing objectivity. This response is
an example of an appropriate way to communicate with the patient.
, A medical assistant is assisting with the physical examination of a patient who has scabies. Besides
gloves, which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment should the assistant wear?-ANS-
Gown
Scabies requires contact precautions; therefore, the assistant should wear gloves and a gown. Other
patient conditions that require contact precautions include hepatitis A, rotavirus, and herpes zoster
(shingles).
A patient loses consciousness. The EKG reveals ventricular fibrillation. Which of the following actions
should a medical assistant take first?-ANS-Call for help and begin CPR
According to the American Heart Association's resuscitation guidelines, the assistant should call for help
and perform CPR immediately after witnessing a cardiac arrest.
A medical assistant is composing business correspondence using the simplified letter style. Which of the
following features should the assistant use?-ANS-A subject line in all capital letters.
In the simplified letter style, the subject line is in all capital letters and replaces the salutation.
Where should a medical assistant place the electrode for lead V5?-ANS-On the left anterior axillary line,
horizontal to V4.
This is the proper placement for lead V5.
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who is 5'7" tall. Which of the following is the patient's height in
centimeters?-ANS-170 cm
Certification Practice Test 2.0 A.
Questions with rationale answers
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has congestive heart failure (CHF) for an examination by
the provider. Which of the following manifestations should the assistant expect?-ANS-Shortness of
breath (SOB)
Expected manifestations of CHF include shortness of breath, fatigue, and edema
When measuring a patients respiratory rate, which of the following actions should a medical assistant
take to ensure an accurate reading?-ANS-Count the respiration's while the patient thinks his pulse is
being obtained.
In order to obtain the most accurate reading, the assistant should count the respirations without the
patient being aware that his breathing is being assessed. The patient can easily control or alter breathing
patterns when he is conscious that the assistant is paying attention to his respirations.
Which of the following laboratory results should the medical assistant recognize is abnormal?-ANS-
Potassium 3 mEq/L
This potassium level is below the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L.
A provider has requested a dissecting instrument on a sterile tray that a medical assistant is preparing.
Which of the following instruments should the assistant include on the tray?-ANS-Scissors
Scissors are considered cutting and dissecting instruments because they include a sharp blade or surface
that can cut, dissect, or scrape.
,A medical assistant is replacing a sharps container in an examination room and receives a small
laceration on her arm from the plastic lid. Which of the following types of documentation should the
assistant complete as a result of this incident?-ANS-OSHA Form 301
The assistant should recognize that the OSHA Form 301 is an incident report used when reporting details
about a work-related injury or illness.
A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's history prior to the patient's appointment. Which of the
following laboratory results indicates the need to schedule an extension of the current visit?-ANS-
Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL
This fasting blood glucose level is above the expected reference range of 70 to 130 mg/dL. The assistant
should notify the provider and schedule an extension of the patient's visit.
A medical assistant is reinforcing instructions with a patient about how to take a buccal tablet.which of
the following instructions should the assistant give the patient?-ANS-"Place the tablet between you or
gums and cheek."
The assistant should instruct the patient to place the buccal tablet between his gums and his cheek. A
buccal tablet acts faster than oral tablets because it does not need to pass through the gastrointestinal
tract to be absorbed.
Which of the following terms should a medical assistant use to tell a provider that a patient is having
discomfort and difficulty breathing?-ANS-Dyspnea
Dyspnea is a term used to indicate that a patient is experiencing difficult or painful breathing.
Which of the following methods is used to notify a provider of the denial of a claim by an insurance
carrier?-ANS-Remittance advice
,A remittance advice document itemizes all paid, denied, and allowable charges for a patient. This
document notifies the provider of any and all claim denials.
Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic exam?-ANS-Lithotomy
The lithotomy position is appropriate for pelvic examinations.
Which of the following cardiac procedures is within a medical assistants scope of practice and does not
require a licensed technician or provider to assist or perform it?-ANS-Holter monitor application
A Holter monitor is a system for recording cardiac activity for 24 hr or longer. It is within an assistant's
scope of practice to place and remove a Holter monitor.
Which of the following EKG artifacts is caused by a disconnected electrode and results in the tracing
going into the margins of the paper?-ANS-Interrupted baseline
Interrupted baseline is caused by an electrical disconnection or a detached electrode and results in the
tracing moving into the margins of the paper.
A medical assistant receives a telephone call from a patient who seems anxious about the results of a
test. Which of the following responses should the assistant make?-ANS-"I know you are concerned
about your test results. We'll call you as soon as your results come in."
This response shows empathy and active listening skills on the part of the assistant, which
communicates to the patient that the assistant recognizes his emotions. Empathy allows the assistant to
validate the patient's emotions without becoming unprofessional and losing objectivity. This response is
an example of an appropriate way to communicate with the patient.
, A medical assistant is assisting with the physical examination of a patient who has scabies. Besides
gloves, which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment should the assistant wear?-ANS-
Gown
Scabies requires contact precautions; therefore, the assistant should wear gloves and a gown. Other
patient conditions that require contact precautions include hepatitis A, rotavirus, and herpes zoster
(shingles).
A patient loses consciousness. The EKG reveals ventricular fibrillation. Which of the following actions
should a medical assistant take first?-ANS-Call for help and begin CPR
According to the American Heart Association's resuscitation guidelines, the assistant should call for help
and perform CPR immediately after witnessing a cardiac arrest.
A medical assistant is composing business correspondence using the simplified letter style. Which of the
following features should the assistant use?-ANS-A subject line in all capital letters.
In the simplified letter style, the subject line is in all capital letters and replaces the salutation.
Where should a medical assistant place the electrode for lead V5?-ANS-On the left anterior axillary line,
horizontal to V4.
This is the proper placement for lead V5.
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who is 5'7" tall. Which of the following is the patient's height in
centimeters?-ANS-170 cm
