NHA CCMA Practice Exam 2020 Already
Passed
A medical assistant is collecting a health history from an older adult patient who exhibits moderate
hearing loss. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
...
NHA CCMA Practice Exam 2020 Already
Passed
A medical assistant is collecting a health history from an older adult patient who exhibits moderate
hearing loss. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
-Keep her hands still to avoid distracting the patient
-Speak with a raised pitch when clarifying information
-Use longer sentences to keep the patient's attention
-Remain within the patient's view to allow lip reading Correct Answer-Remain within the patient's view
to allow lip reading
A medical assistant is administering heparin subcutaneously to a patient. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take?
-Spread the skin taut over the injection site
-Insert the needle at a 30 degree angle
-Inject the medication slowly
-Massage the site after removing the needle Correct Answer-Inject the medication slowly
A medical assistant should insert the needle at which of the following angles during a venipuncture?
-15 degree angle-30 degree angle
-45 degree angle
-90 degree angle Correct Answer-15 degree angle
A patient is seen in an urgent care center for a laceration o the left foot. The provider evaluates the
injury, determines sutures are not needed, applies a dressing, and releases the patient. Which of the
following levels of examination should a medical assistant use for the procedural coding for this visit?
-Problem-focused examination
-Expanded problem-focused examination
-Detailed examination
-Comprehensive examination Correct Answer-Problem-focused examination
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient about pulse oximetry. Which of the following
statements should the medical assistant include in the teaching?
-"Cold hands improve accuracy"
-"Remove your nail polish before the test"
-"Clip the probe onto your second toe"
-"This test will measure your pulmonary capacity" Correct Answer-"Remove your nail polish before the
test"A medical assistant is cleaning countertops and other surfaces after a surgical procedure in a provider's
office. Which of the following disinfectants should the assistant use for this purpose?
-A 1:10 bleach and water solution
-Benzalkonium chloride solution
-Chlorhexidine
-Alcohol Correct Answer-A 1:10 bleach and water solution
A medical assistant requests that a patient pay her insurance copayment at the time she arrives for her
appointment. The patient becomes defensive and asks why she should pay for care she has not yet
received. Which of the following responses should the medical assistant make?
-"Didn't you expect to have to pay for your visit when you came?"
-"Why wouldn't you want to pay now rather than later?"
-"Unless you have paid your copayment, the doctor will not see you"
-"I understand you're concerned, so you are welcome to pay at the end of your appointment" Correct
Answer-"I understand you're concerned, so you are welcome to pay at the end of your appointment"
Which of the following instructions should a medical assistant give to a patient when administering an
enteric-coated tablet?
-"Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water"
-"Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing"
-"Dissolve the tablet in a glass of water before drinking"-"Crush the tablet and mix it with applesauce" Correct Answer-"Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of
water"
A medical assistant is cleaning an examination room after assisting the provider with a biopsy. Which of
the following actions should the assistant take?
-Place the caps back on the needles to reduce the risk of puncturing the sharps container
-Break off the tops of any unused ampules and discard the liquid
-Hold sharps by the blunt end to avoid a needlestick injury
-Dispose of the sharps container once it is completely full Correct Answer-Hold sharps by the blunt end
to avoid a needlestick injury
Which of the following cardiac procedures is within a medical assistant's scope of practice and does not
require a licensed technician or provider to assist or perform it?
-Cardiac Doppler
-Nuclear stress test
-Holter monitor application
-Angiogram Correct Answer-Holter monitor application
Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic examination?
-Lithotomy
-Prone-Supine
-High-Fowler's Correct Answer-Lithotomy
A medical assistant is performing a 12-lead EKG on a patient. Which of the following electrode should
the assistant place to the left of the sternum at the fourth intercostal space?
-V4
-V3
-V2
-V1 Correct Answer-V2
Which of the following items on the CMS-1500 claim form should a medical assistant recognize as
indicating the medical necessity of a procedure?
-Modifier
-Diagnosis code
-Charges
-Place of service Correct Answer-Diagnosis code
Which of the following dressings should a medical assistant use on a partial-thickness burn?
-Skin closure application
-Nonadherent dressing-Lubricated mesh gauze
-Sterile gauze dressing Correct Answer-Nonadherent dressing
A medical assistant is contacting a patient to schedule a repeat Papanicolaou test due to abnormal
results. The assistant should identify that which of the following factors can interfere with the test
result?
-Engaging in intercourse 48 hours prior to test
-Douching 1 week before the test
-Using an over-the-counter vaginal cream prior to the test
-Taking prescribed oral birth control pills Correct Answer-Using an over-the-counter vaginal cream prior
to the test
(Notes: A patient should not engage in intercourse 24 hr prior to the test. A patient should avoid
douching 2 to 3 days before the test. A patient should continue taking prescribed oral birth control pills
prior to the examination because they do not affect the test result.)
A medical assistant drops an instrument on the floor while setting up a sterile tray for a procedure. He
picks up the instrument and places it back on the sterile field. A few days after the procedure, the
patient calls the office, concerned that the area surrounding the procedure site is infected. Which of the
following torts has the assistant committed?
-Abandonment
-Negligence
-Battery-Defamation Correct Answer-Negligence
Which of the following actions should a medical assistant take when obtaining the length of an infant
during a well-child visit?
-Remove the infants diaper
-Wrap the infant in a blanket for warmth
-Position the infant on his back
-Keep the infant's knees flexed Correct Answer-Position the infant on his back
A medical assistant is speaking with a patient who recently received a terminal diagnosis. The patient
states, "I regret not taking better care of myself. Now, I won't be able to accomplish what I wanted to do
with my life." The assistant should identify that the patient is in which of the following stages of grief?
-Anger
-Bargaining
-Depression
-Acceptance Correct Answer-Depression
A medical assistant is entering patient data into an electronic medical record (EMR) system. Which of
the following information should be entered into the Patient Demographic section of the EMR?
-Allergies
-Chief complaint-Occupation
-Surgical history Correct Answer-Occupation
A medical assistant is preparing to dispose of bandages that have been removed from a patient's open
wound. Per OSHA guidelines, which of the following actions should the assistant plan to take?
-Place the bandages in the sharps container
-Place the bandages in a red biohazard bag
-Double bag the bandages in a red biohazard bag
-Disinfect the bandages and place them in a red biohazard bag Correct Answer-Place the bandages in a
red biohazard bag
A patient asks a medical assistant to explain the difference between a liniment and a medicated lotion.
Which of the following responses should the assistant make?
-"Medicated lotions are used to treat disorders in the muscles and bones"
-"Liniments contain a higher portion of oil than medicated lotions"
-"Liniments are used to control itching"
-"Medicated lotions are emulsions used to protect dried or cracked skin" Correct Answer-"Liniments
contain a higher portion of oil than medicated lotions"
(Notes: Medicated lotions are a topical treatment and are not used to treat disorders that exist below
the skin's surface. Medicated lotions, not liniments, are used o control itching and inflammation.
Liniments, not medicated lotions, are used to protect dry or cracked skin.)A medical assistant is scheduling a patient for an outpatient procedure. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take first?
-Obtain prior authorization for the procedure with the patient's insurance company
-Obtain an oral or written order from the provider for the procedure
-Call the outpatient facility to inquire about available days and times for the procedure
-Contact the patient to find out his availability for the procedure Correct Answer-Obtain an oral or
written order from the provider for the procedure
A medical assistant receives a denial of payment for a patient's cholecystectomy. The reason stated is
"noncovered service". If this procedure was deemed emergent by the provider, which of the following
actions should the assistant take?
-Submit an appeal for the denied claim
-Submit a new claim
-Resubmit the claim with a different procedure code
-Instruct the patient to contact the insurer about the denial of payment Correct Answer-Instruct the
patient to contact the insurer about the denial of payment
A medical assistant is performing a review of items in a clinic's inventory. How should the assistant
classify dressings and bandages for inventory purposes?
-As office supplies
-As office equipment
-As clinical supplies-As clinical equipment Correct Answer-As clinical supplies
A medical assistant is writing a piece of professional correspondence to a consulting provider. In which
of the following ways should the assistant record the date on the letter?
-January 1st, 2020
-January 1, 2020
-1st of January, 2020
-01/01/2020 Correct Answer-January 1, 2020
A medical assistant works at an urgent care center that uses open hours scheduling. Which of the
following describes this form of scheduling?
-Three patients are scheduled for the same time and are taken to be seen as they arrive
-Patients arrive at their convenience and are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis
-Each patient arrives at an assigned time with enough time reserved for the reason of the visit
-Patients who have the same disorder are seen on a specific day or for a specific block of time during the
day or week Correct Answer-Patients arrive at their convenience and are seen on a first-come, firstserve basis
When removing sutures, why is it important for a medical assistant to place the removed sutures on a
gauze pad?
-To present to the provider for pathology evaluation-To maintain the sterility of the sutures
-To help select the procedure code for billing purposes
-To determine the number of sutures removed Correct Answer-To determine the number of sutures
removed
A patient tells a medical assistant that his providers office is incompetent, as there is no improvement in
his condition. Which of the following is an appropriate response for the assistant to make?
-"I think that you feel your treatment is not effective"
-"I'm sure that the provider can help you get better"
-"That isn't fair. Our office treats many patients successfully"
-"You could take a different medication and then you'll feel better" Correct Answer-"I think that you feel
your treatment is not effective"
A medical assistant receives a call from a patient requesting a refill for fentanyl patches for chronic pain.
Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
-Call the prescription in to the patient's pharmacy
-Tell the patient to schedule an office visit
-Fax the prescription to the patient's pharmacy
-Refer the patient's request to the provider Correct Answer-Refer the patient's request to the providerA medical assistant is caring for a patient who is experiencing chills, nausea, and dizziness. The patient's
face appears pale. The assistant should recognize that the patient is exhibiting manifestations fo which
of the following medical emergencies?
-Seizure
-Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
-Syncope
-Myocardial infarction Correct Answer-Syncope
A patient who has vulvovaginal candidiasis asks a medical assistant for more information about her
infection. The assistant should begin by explaining that candidiasis is which of the following types of
infections?
-Fungal
-Bacterial
-Protozoan
-Helminthic Correct Answer-Fungal
A medical assistant is talking to an older adult patient who has experienced several injuries at home
over the past 6 months. The patient lives alone and has no family nearby. Which of the following
responses should the assistant make to help ease the patient's transition to assisted living or long-term
care?
-"Why wouldn't you want to be around others like yourself, even if only for the social benefits?"
-"It seems like it is no longer safe for you to be at home alone. Let's talk about other options."-"If I were you, I'd tell your family they have to move to this area to help you at home."
-"I'm going to call your daughter and tell her about some of the difficulties you are having" Correct
Answer-"It seems like it is no longer safe for you to be at home alone. Let's talk about other options."
A medical assistant is scheduling diagnostic tests for a patient's liver and pancreas. Which of the
following systems is being assessed?
-Cardiovascular
-Integumentary
-Respiratory
-Digestive Correct Answer-Digestive
Which of the following is a medical assistant's role in pulmonary function testing (PFT)?
-Coach the patient through the test
-Check the patient's vital signs during the test to ensure stability
-Administer the proper medication prior to the test
-Instruct the patient in the use of the inhaler used in testing Correct Answer-Coach the patient through
the test
Which of the following is a step in the process of skin preparation prior to a surgical procedure?
-Sterilize the surgical site-Clean the surgical site with antiseptic
-Rinse the surgical site with warm water
-Scrub the surgical site with a sterile brush Correct Answer-Clean the surgical site with antiseptic
which of the following is a formal authorization that identifies an individual as legally able to make
decisions on behalf of a patient?
-Physician-patient contract
-Do not resuscitate order (DNR)
-Uniform donor card
-Durable power of attorney Correct Answer-Durable power of attorney
A medical assistant is performing a fecal occult blood test using a guaiac card. Which of the following
actions should the assistant take?
-Smear a thick layer of stool onto the test card window
-Add the developing reagent onto the stool specimen
-Read the test results after 5 minutes
-Interpret a blue color as a positive result Correct Answer-Interpret a blue color as a positive result
(Notes: The assistant should place a small amount of thinly smeared fecal material onto the test card
window. The assistant should apply the developing reagent onto the back side of the test card and also
onto the positive and negative controls if they are present. The assistant should read the test results
according to the duration the manufacturer specifies, usually within one minute.)The Patients' Bill of Rights protects individuals from which of the following?
-Lawsuits when rendering voluntary assistance in an emergency
-Denial of care due to patient's age
-Financial obligations incurred for health care services received
-Release of medical information to a patient's employer without consent Correct Answer-Denial of care
due to patient's age
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?
-Retractors
-Thumb forceps
-Scissors
-Probes Correct Answer-Scissors (Note: Scissors are considered cutting and dissecting instruments
because they include a sharp blade or surface that can cut, dissect, or scrape)
After a patient leaves an examination room, which of the following actions should a medical assistant
take to prepare the examination table for the next patient?
-Wipe the table with a 50% solution of household bleach
-Roll up the disposable paper on the table tightly and quickly
-Crumple the paper before disposing of it-Place the pillow on top of the fresh paper on the table Correct Answer-Roll up the disposable paper on
the table tightly and quickly
A medical assistant is assisting a provider with the repair of a laceration on a patient's head. The
provider's prescription for the procedure includes an injection of 10 mL of lidocaine with epinephrine.
The assistant should recognize that which of the following is the purpose of epinephrine in the local
anesthetic?
-To reduce bleeding at the site
-To reduce the patient's blood pressure
-To prevent an allergic reaction to the lidocaine
-To decrease the likelihood of infection Correct Answer-To reduce bleeding at the site (Notes: The
assistant should recognize that epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor. Its inclusion in the anesthetic reduces
bleeding and prolongs the anesthetic's effects. Reducing the bleeding makes it easier for the provider to
see the laceration during the repair. Epinephrine will not affect a patient's allergies. Epinephrine is not
an antiseptic and will not decrease the chance of infection.)
A medical assistant is determining the amount a patient will be required to pay for a scheduled
procedure that has an allowable amount of $200. The patient has a 90/10 coinsurance and has met his
deductible. What is the total amount the patient will pay the provider for this procedure?
-$20
-$30
-$40
-$50 Correct Answer-$20A medical assistant is administering an injection, and the patient faints. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take?
-Elevate the patient's head above is heart
-Apply a warm compress to the patient's neck
-Offer the patient something to drink
-Place the patient in a supine position Correct Answer-Place the patient in a supine position
When choosing a diagnosis code, a medical assistant should consider which of the following actions in
order to avoid an insurance denial?
-Coding the appropriate modifier with the diagnosis code
-Coding to the highest level of specificity
-Coding using bundled codes
-Coding with an HCPCS Correct Answer-Coding to the highest level of specificity
A medical assistant is faxing a prescription to a patient's pharmacy. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take?
-Send the prescription without a cover page
-Shred the confirmation of transmission message to ensure the patient's privacy
-Request that the provider verify the prescription after faxing it to the pharmacy-Call the pharmacy to confirm the receipt of the faxed prescription Correct Answer-Call the pharmacy to
confirm the receipt of the faxed prescription
A medical assistant is preparing a patient to have cryosurgery following an abnormal Papanicolaou test.
Which of the following statements should the assistant make to explain the procedure?
-"Cryosurgery is a laser surgery that kills the abnormal cells"
-"Cryosurgery involves a probe that cauterizes and kills abnormal cells"
-"Cryosurgery involves an extremely cold probe to freeze and kill abnormal cells"
-"Cryosurgery is a procedure performed with a scalpel to cut out abnormal cells" Correct Answer-
"Cryosurgery involves an extremely cold probe to freeze and kill abnormal cells"
A primary care provider suspects that a patient has fibromyalgia. A medical assistant should expect the
provider to refer the patient to which of the following specialists?
-Gynecologist
-Ophthalmologist
-Gastroenterologist
-Rheumatologist Correct Answer-Rheumatologist
When measuring a patient's respiratory rate, which of the following actions should a medical assistant
take to ensure an accurate reading?
-Count the respirations while the patient thinks his pulse is being obtained-Instruct the patient to breathe normally while counting his breaths
-Count the respirations for 15 seconds and multiply by 2
-Instruct the patient to take deep breaths while obtaining his pulse Correct Answer-Count the
respirations while the patient thinks his pulse is being obtained
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who weighs 72 kg. What is the patient's weight in lb?
-158.4 lb
-32.7 lb
-115.2 lb
-45.1 lb Correct Answer-158.4 lb
A medical assistant observed a hematoma developing at the site of a venous blood draw. The assistant
should do which of the following?
-Observe the site to see if the hematoma worsens
-Ask the patient to apply pressure to the area
-Release the tourniquet and stop the draw
-Call for a nurse and assess the patient's condition Correct Answer-Release the tourniquet and stop the
draw
A medical assistant is collecting information from a patient who reports persistent pain in the left upper
quadrant. The assistant should note that this area contains which of the following organs?-Cecum
-Stomach
-Appendix
-Gallbladder Correct Answer-Stomach
When coding with the ICD-10-CM, where should the medical assistant begin the process of looking up a
diagnosis code for breast cancer?
-The Tabular List
-The Alphabetic Index
-The Chapter List
-The Subcategory Index Correct Answer-The Alphabetic Index
A medical assistant is caring for a patient who has recently received a terminal diagnosis and is crying.
Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
-Ask the patient why he is crying
-Tell the patient there is no reason to cry
-Tell the provider immediately
-Allow the patient to cry Correct Answer-Allow the patient to cry
[Show More]
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
