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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

NHA CCMA Exam Questions

Page 10 of 25

181.

A patient feels guilty about their new diagnosis of lung cancer because they have been a smoker most of their life. What is the best approach to respond appropriately to the patient's feelings?

  • Validate the patient's feelings, helping them find acceptance

  • Encourage the patient to feel less guilty

  • Let the patient know this condition is not their fault

  • Distract the patient by moving on to treatment plans

Correct answer: Validate the patient's feelings, helping them find acceptance

Sometimes, a patient's diagnosis will be because of a decision or habit they have chosen. The patient may feel guilty about this. The medical assistant should validate these feelings and help the patient accept the consequences of their actions.

Encouraging the patient to feel less guilt or telling the patient that it is not their fault may keep the patient from accepting the truth of their diagnosis. Distracting the patient may keep the patient from accepting the consequences of their decisions. 

182.

Which of the following can be assessed during palpation?

  • Elasticity

  • Resonance

  • Length and diameter of a limb

  • Range of motion

Correct answer: Elasticity

There are several methods of examination, including palpation. You can use palpation to assess elasticity, temperature, moisture, and other qualities. 

Percussion is used to assess resonance. Mensuration, or measuring, can measure the length and quality of a limb. Manipulation assesses range of motion (ROM).

183.

You have administered an injection of penicillin to a patient per doctor's orders. Almost immediately, the patient's lips swell, and she states her throat feels tight. What kind of reaction is this patient likely experiencing?

  • Anaphylactic reaction

  • Adverse reaction

  • Drug interaction

  • Idiosyncratic reaction

Correct answer: Anaphylactic reaction

Anaphylactic reactions generally happen suddenly and include life-threatening symptoms like swelling of the lips, tightness in the throat, and shortness of breath. If a patient exhibits signs of anaphylaxis, you should immediately alert the provider, who will likely administer epinephrine.

184.

Which cleaning product would be best for an MA to use for cleaning soiled medical scissors after an office procedure?

  • Instrument cleaner

  • Germicide

  • Chemical disinfectant

  • Water

Correct answer: Instrument cleaner

The instrument cleaner contains a detergent and may also be combined with an enzymatic cleaner, which can break down organic matter such as blood and tissue. A chemical disinfectant or germicide will remove pathogenic microbes but is not designed to remove visible organic or inorganic debris.

185.

At a busy medical office, many patients are scheduled to arrive every hour, and the provider sees them in the order that they arrive. What type of scheduling is this medical office using?

  • Wave scheduling 

  • Time-specified scheduling 

  • Double booking

  • Open booking

Correct answer: Wave scheduling

Wave scheduling is used when three or four patients are scheduled every hour, and the provider sees them in the order that they arrive. In this type of scheduling, patients come to the medical office in waves, always giving the provider a patient who needs to be seen. 

Time-specified scheduling is used when the medical office has patients scheduled for the exact time of their appointments. Double booking occurs when multiple patients are scheduled for an exact time. Open booking occurs when patients are given a timeframe in which to arrive. For instance, the patient may arrive between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. With this type of booking, patients with acute injuries may be seen first. 

186.

The full procedure for quality assurance (QA) in the laboratory is separated into three parts. Each test or operation done in the laboratory must follow these three phases. If any of these stages are incorrect or skipped, QA has failed.

What is a key component of the pre-analytical stage of QA?

  • Ensuring each specimen label is correct

  • Ensuring instruments are calibrated

  • Running controls for each test method

  • Properly disposing of specimens after they are run

Correct answer: Ensuring each specimen label is correct

The pre-analytical stage includes steps taken before the test is run. In this case, ensuring that specimens are labeled, processed, and transported properly is part of the pre-analytical stage. 

Machine and instrument calibration are part of the analytic stage. Discarding the specimen after the test is post-analytical QA.

187.

When an MA is applying HIPAA rules to complete a Release of Medical Records Form for a release of information, which statement is true?

  • The MA should enter the patient’s name, DOB, and SSN since these are direct identifiers.

  • The MA should only enter the patient’s name and DOB since the SSN is protected by HIPAA rules and should not be transmitted on medical forms.

  • The MA should only enter the patient’s DOB and SSN but omit the patient’s name to protect their identity.

  • The MA should enter the patient’s name, address, current phone number, and email address.

Correct answer: The MA should enter the patient’s name, DOB, and SSN since these are direct identifiers.

Name, DOB, and SSN are patient information that is required on common records release forms. They are direct patient identifiers, which help the facility identify the correct patient when retrieving the required records.

188.

Which is the most common insect-borne infectious disease in North America, posing a serious public health concern?

  • Lyme disease

  • HIV

  • Malaria

  • Zika virus

Correct answer: Lyme disease

Lyme disease is carried by ticks. Infection happens when a tick carrier bites a human. The microorganisms are in the tick's saliva. These ticks are commonly seen on deer, mice, dogs, horses, and birds. Infection happens when germs from tick saliva penetrate the puncture in the skin. 

189.

What is the difference between palliative treatment and curative treatment?

  • Curative treatment cures a disease, while palliative care only reduces the effects of a disease.

  • Palliative treats the patient holistically, while curative treatment responds to specific symptoms.

  • Curative treatment is also called symptomatic treatment, whereas palliative treatment only refers to end-of-life care.

  • Curative treatment lessens the severity of a disease but does not cure it, while palliative treatment seeks to cure the disease.

Correct answer: Curative treatment cures a disease, while palliative care only reduces the effects of a disease.

Curative treatments are effective in curing some diseases. Palliative treatment, also called symptomatic treatment, seeks to reduce the effects of a disease but will not cure it.

Palliative care may or may not be part of end-of-life care. 

190.

A medical assistant will be drawing a single dose of medication to administer from a multi-dose vial. The MA wants to know whether the vial must be refrigerated or is stable at room temperature. 

Where can the medical assistant find this information?

  • Information will be listed on the package insert.

  • Information must be memorized from the Prescribers’ Digital Reference.

  • Information will be available on the packing slip that came with the delivery.

  • Information will be printed on the vial.

Correct answer: Information will be listed on the package insert.

The package insert is divided into sections, and the proper handling/storage details can be found under "how supplied." This section explains what doses are available, how to identify the different dosage strengths, and how to handle and store the medicine. 

191.

Which veins are commonly used for venipuncture in the antecubital area?

  • Cephalic veins

  • Medial veins

  • Basilic veins

  • Dorsal veins

Correct answer: Cephalic veins

The cephalic veins, located on the thumb side of the antecubital area, are the veins of choice for venipuncture.

192.

You are about to give a child their annual vaccinations, but the child is visibly upset and refusing to interact with you. How can you help this process go smoothly for both the child and the caregiver?

  • Use positive reinforcement to help reduce the child's unease during the appointment

  • Ask the child if they would like to get the vaccination

  • Leave the room, giving the child and caregiver an extra five minutes alone 

  • Only talk to the caregiver to avoid increasing the child's anxiety

Correct answer: Use positive reinforcement to help reduce the child's unease during the appointment

Positive reinforcement may reduce anxiety and increase confidence, making interactions with the child much easier.

If a child is in the office for a vaccination and the child's legal guardian consents, the child's consent may not be necessary. Leaving the child alone longer may increase their anxiety before the interaction. During an appointment, you must try to involve the child in their care. This will help them gain confidence and trust you.

193.

Which of the following situations does not legally require a patient's written informed consent?

  • Assessing a patient's twisted ankle

  • Testing for AIDS 

  • Beginning a surgical procedure

  • Beginning a procedure that carries a risk to the patient's health

Correct answer: Assessing a patient's twisted ankle

If a patient has come to the medical office for treatment of a twisted ankle, the medical office may not have the patient sign a written form for consent. The patient coming to the office and talking to the provider will demonstrate implied or expressed consent.

Testing for AIDS, surgical procedures, or procedures that come with a risk to the patient's health must all have a written consent form signed by the patient beforehand.

194.

You're the MA for a busy OB/GYN practice. The first patient on your schedule today is a 27-year-old woman for an annual well-woman check-up. She got married 10 months ago. Since then, she stopped taking her Loestrin Fe birth control pills because she wants to get pregnant. Her periods are irregular. Her last period stopped on Monday, January 29, and her period was approximately 4 days long. 

On her chart, what date should you enter for the last menstrual period (LMP)?

  • January 26

  • January 29

  • January 25

  • The date she stopped her birth control pills

Correct answer: January 26

The uterine cycle (menstrual cycle) has 3 phases and lasts approximately 28 days. During this time, women have changes in hormones like progesterone, estrogen, LH, and FSH. The menstrual phase starts on Day 1 of the cycle and continues for 3–5 days. During this phase, the uterus sheds its lining as the menstrual flow that women call their “period.”

195.

Who is responsible for concluding that illnesses were not caused by evil spirits but by rational explanations?

  • Hippocrates

  • Leonardo da Vinci

  • William Harvey

  • Antony van Leeuwenhoek

Correct answer: Hippocrates

Hippocrates' writings on medicine are known as the Hippocratic Collection. From this collection, the Hippocratic Oath was derived, as well as the theory that illnesses were not caused by evil spirits, but by rational explanations.

Leonardo da Vinci is responsible for much of the knowledge today on human anatomy due to the detailed dissections and drawings he made. William Harvey published a book on how the heart circulates blood throughout the body. Antony van Leeuwenhoek improved the design and magnification of the microscope.

196.

You need to schedule an outpatient diagnostic test for a patient who left the clinic before you could make the appointment. What is the best way to coordinate this appointment?

  • Call the patient to gather information for scheduling the appointment and send any required test preparation instructions and location directions in the mail

  • Call the patient and ask them to come back to the clinic to have the test scheduled

  • Make the appointment for the patient and mail a reminder card to the address on file

  • Ask an appointment coordinator to get in touch with the patient

Correct answer: Call the patient to gather information for scheduling the appointment and send any required test preparation instructions and location directions in the mail

It is appropriate to call the patient and coordinate the test based on the best date and time for the patient. The medical assistant should send any necessary preparation instructions along with an appointment reminder card to the patient as soon as possible, as some diagnostic tests cannot be performed if the patient has not completed the preparation.

In most cases, a patient does not need to return to the clinic to have a diagnostic test scheduled, as it can be handled over the phone. It's best to communicate directly with the patient about the appointment instead of coordinating the test and sending information in the mail. This helps avoid the need to reschedule the appointment. Instructions to prepare for diagnostic tests should be delivered by the medical assistant, not an appointment coordinator. You should communicate directly with the patient about the procedure and answer any questions they may have.

197.

Which of the following is not needed for a routine gynecologic examination?

  • Specimen bottle with patient label

  • Vaginal speculum

  • Lubricant

  • Specimen slides and fixative

Correct answer: Specimen bottle with patient label

Specimen bottles are used to store biopsy or other tissue samples and are not used in routine gynecological examinations. A routine gynecological examination uses other types of equipment, including a vaginal speculum, lubricant, specimen slides, fixative, and sterile swabs.

198.

What key item is not necessary to document after providing patient coaching?

  • The patient's demographics

  • The patient's understanding of the topic

  • The patient's diagnosis

  • Any teaching materials provided to the patient

Correct answer: The patient's demographics

After coaching a patient, it's important to document what was discussed, the materials used, and how the patient responded to the information. Medical assistants should document why the teaching is being provided, the materials used, and how well the patient understood the information.

Documentation of a patient's demographics is updated each time the patient checks in for an appointment and does not need to be added to teaching documentation.

199.

The physician asks you to help a patient into the semi-Fowler position. How should you arrange the patient?

  • Elevate the head of the table 45 degrees and extend the footrest as needed

  • Elevate the head of the table 90 degrees and extend the footrest as needed

  • Elevate the head of the table 90 degrees

  • Elevate the foot of the table 45 degrees

Correct answer: Elevate the head of the table 45 degrees and extend the footrest as needed

The Fowler and semi-Fowler positions are helpful for patients who have difficulty breathing when lying flat. In the semi-Fowler position, the head is elevated 45 degrees, and the footrest is extended as needed for patient comfort.

200.

All the following are alphabetic filing systems except:

  • Chronologic 

  • Last names

  • Prefixes 

  • Titles

Correct answer: Chronologic 

Chronologic filing systems refer to the numerical filing system in which files are labeled and filed by date. 

Last names, prefixes, and titles are all examples of alphabetical filing systems. 

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