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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

NHA CCMA Exam Questions

Page 2 of 25

21.

A patient comes to urgent care with an insect bite on his right forearm. He states he's not sure what the insect was. The skin around the bite is red and swollen, and the patient states that it itches. He is otherwise feeling well. What first aid steps can be taken to treat this mild allergic reaction to the bite?

  • Remove any visible stinger. Wash the area with mild soap and water. Apply a cold cloth or ice pack wrapped in a towel to the affected area. Elevate the arm.

  • Wash the area with mild soap and water. Administer an auto-injector of epinephrine. Elevate the arm.

  • Remove any visible stinger. Prepare a tetanus shot.

  • Remove a visible stinger. Wash the area with mild soap and water. Apply a cold cloth to the affected skin. Inject one auto-injector of epinephrine.

Correct answer: Remove a visible stinger. Wash the area with mild soap and water. Apply a cold cloth or ice pack wrapped in a towel to the affected area. Elevate the arm.

The patient is not experiencing anaphylactic shock, so an auto-injector of epinephrine is not an appropriate treatment.

22.

In an MA's role as a patient advocate, which services could they recommend to a patient?

  • Schedule and sequence appointments

  • Give patient their diagnosis

  • Consult with specialists about patient

  • Provide personal transportation

Correct answer: Schedule and sequence appointments

A medical assistant sometimes acts as a patient advocate or care coordinator. In this role, they can recommend any of the following community resources (and more): 

  • Transportation
  • Medical equipment
  • Low-cost medication programs
  • Low-cost preventive screenings
  • Adult daycare
  • Assisted living services

The MA can keep a running list of reliable local services that they feel confident recommending to patients. However Medical assistants cannot transport patients in their vehicles or diagnose them. They also should allow any medical consultations with specialists to be done by providers, as it is outside of their scope. 

23.

Which of the nine rights of medication administration gives the patient control over their medication?

  • The right to refuse

  • The right route

  • The right education

  • The right to treatment

Correct answer: The right to refuse

The right to refuse allows the patient to make an informed decision on whether to accept medication the provider has prescribed. The patient should always be given the choice of accepting medication or not before it is administered. If a patient refuses medication, inform the physician and document the refusal in the patient's chart.

The right route ensures the medication is being given to the patient via the proper route.

The right education makes sure the patient is educated on the medication they are about to receive.

The right to treatment is not one of the nine rights of medication administration.

24.

For which types of allergies is the intradermal test commonly used?

  • Types of insect venom

  • Types of pollen

  • Pet dander

  • Types of food

Correct answer: Types of insect venom

The intradermal test is like the scratch test, but the antigen is more dilute and the allergen extracts are injected into the intradermal layer. This test is done on the arm, and it is typically used to diagnose allergies to penicillin and insect venom, such as bee stings.

25.

Why might a medical office choose to participate in online banking?

  • To reduce the number of paper checks being written or printed for expenses

  • To complicate employee payroll systems

  • To avoid overdrawing the bank account

  • To pay bills as single payments, instead of monthly

Correct answer: To reduce the number of paper checks being written or printed for expenses

Online banking allows medical practices to reduce the amount of paper checks being written or printed for expenses, including the large number of payments made for payroll. 

Some suppliers and distributors require electronic payment for product purchases as well. Online banking does not complicate payroll; it can make it easier and more efficient. Online banking can still cause a company's bank account to become overdrawn. Paying a bill online or by paper check does not typically determine how frequently the bill needs to be paid.

26.

For people working at a medical office, is it ever appropriate to wear street clothes to the office?

  • Yes, as long as they have a business-like appearance

  • No, it is never appropriate to wear street clothes to the medical office

  • Yes, as long as any jeans are free of holes and fraying

  • Yes, medical assistants have the freedom to choose their attire in the workplace

Correct answer: Yes, as long as they have a business-like appearance

Business-like street clothes are appropriate to wear at the medical office as long as they look professional. It is never appropriate to wear anything that would appear ungroomed or sloppy in appearance.

Jeans are not appropriate to wear at the medical office. Medical assistants do not have the freedom to wear whatever outfits they choose. Many medical offices require uniforms, and almost all offices have strict dress codes. 

27.

Medical assistants are sometimes responsible for managing patients' understanding of their care. You may need to help the patient distinguish between their feelings about health, what goals they have surrounding their health, and what path they should take to achieve those goals. 

What is the term for this kind of interaction?

  • Health coaching

  • Patient navigating

  • Risk management

  • Initiative

Correct answer: Health coaching

Health coaching is a tool used to help patients understand and achieve their healthcare goals.

A patient navigator can help remove obstacles that the patient may face that inhibit their ability to get treatment. Risk management is the process of developing protocols for the medical office to ensure that the office will not be sued. Initiative refers to the capacity at which a person can follow through with a plan or goal and perform tasks without supervision.

28.

When performing Weber's test using a tuning fork, why is it essential for the provider to strike the tines softly?

  • To ensure a clear sound during the test

  • To create a louder tone for diagnostic use

  • To avoid damaging the tuning fork

  • To activate the tuning fork's electromagnetism

Correct answer: To ensure a clear sound during the test

If the provider strikes the tuning fork too forcefully, the sound will be too loud for a meaningful test. Therefore, they must hold it by the stem and strike the tines softly on the palm. 

29.

Which of the following is not a chief component of the medical record?

  • Financial

  • Administrative

  • Clinical

  • Health history

Correct answer: Financial

Financial information is not part of a patient's medical record.

The medical record contains central components that document a patient's medical care, including administrative components like patient demographics, advanced directives, and consent forms. The clinical component documents procedures, physical examinations, and laboratory data. Health history is a record of a patient's health and problem list.

30.

You are working with an elderly patient who has impaired hearing. Which option is an appropriate way to communicate with them?

  • Speak in a low-pitched voice

  • Stand directly in front of them and make direct eye contact

  • If an interpreter is present, speak to them directly and let them explain to the patient

  • Use clinical terms as much as possible

Correct answer: Speak in a low-pitched voice

When people lose their hearing, they often lose the ability to perceive high-pitched sounds first. Speaking in a low-pitched voice often makes it easier for elderly, hearing-impaired patients to understand you. 

If you are working with a patient who has impaired hearing, you should face them so they can see your lips move; don't expect them to make direct eye contact. If an interpreter is present, speak directly to the patient and let the interpreter convey what you're saying without interference. Use colloquial terms you expect the patient to understand.

31.

Who is responsible for initiating an incident report in the event of an accident?

  • The person who was injured in the incident or the staff member who was closest when it occurred

  • One of the providers in the office

  • The medical office manager

  • One of the medical assistants who witnessed the incident

Correct answer: The person who was injured in the incident or the staff member who was closest when it occurred

If the injured person works in the medical office, they should initiate the incident report. If the injured person is a patient or visitor, the staff member who was closest to them during the incident should initiate the report.

A provider, medical office manager, or medical assistant is only responsible for initiating the incident report if they are either the injured person or the staff member who witnessed the event most closely.

32.

Which term describes groups of cells with similar structures and functions?

  • Tissues

  • Body system

  • Physiological structure

  • Total organism

Correct answer: Tissues

Tissues are created from cells that have the same or similar structure and function and are found throughout the human body. 

Each body system is composed of several organs and other physiological structures. A physiological structure could be an organ, blood vessel, bone, muscle, or other functional part of anatomy. The total organism is the entire human body.

33.

A medical assistant is assisting a provider in a pain management clinic. The provider prescribes a controlled substance for a patient. What action should the medical assistant take to comply with legal requirements?

  • Use the provider's DEA number only on the prescription for the controlled substance 

  • Use the provider's NPI number only on the controlled substance prescription

  • Use the provider's DEA number for identification on all pharmacy transmissions for this patient

  • Share the DEA number on non-narcotic prescriptions for tracking purposes

Correct answer: Use the provider's DEA number only on the prescription for the controlled substance 

Doctors must apply and obtain two numbers to prescribe medications in the US. The national provider identification (NPI) number is used to prescribe any medication, as well as for ordering supplies and durable medical equipment. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number is always required for prescriptions of controlled substances. To keep the provider's DEA number secure, it should only be used for prescribing controlled substances such as codeine, hydrocodone, or alprazolam.

34.

A procedure room used for suturing should include which of the following?

  • Ring forceps

  • Local anesthetic

  • Speculum

  • Flourescein stain

Correct answer: Ring forceps

The procedure room should be stocked for various suturing needs and injury situations. Suture insertion requires the following equipment, among other things: local anesthetic, fenestrated towel, hemostatic forceps, clean disposable gloves, antiseptic, dissecting scissors, operating scissors, and sterile gauze.

Ring forceps are used for the removal of items from the vaginal canal such as IUDs etc. A vaginal speculum is used for the examination of the vaginal vault. Flourescein stain is kept in an eye tray or kit and used to stain the conjunctiva to look for damage to the cornea. 

35.

During a gynecologic exam, the provider will be collecting a scraping of epithelial cells from the cervix for examination. What is the flexible plastic collection device called?

  • Cytobroom

  • Speculum

  • Cervical brush

  • Cotton swab

Correct answer: Cytobroom

A flexible plastic collection device called a cytobroom can be used to scrape cells from both the ectocervix and the endocervix simultaneously. The provider inserts the cytobroom's center bristles far enough into the endocervical canal that the shorter bristles fully contact the exterior of the cervix. Gently press and twist the cytobroom clockwise to collect an ectocervical and endocervical mixed specimen.

36.

Which of the following must a CCMA do to maintain their credentials?

  • Recertify every two years either by completing 10 CEUs or passing an exam

  • Recertify every three years either by passing an exam or participating in other activities

  • Recertify every year

  • Recertify every five years by either passing an exam or earning 60 continuing education points in designated subjects

Correct answer: Recertify every two years either by completing 10 CEUs or passing an exam

Clinical medical assistants (CCMAs) are certified through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To retain their credentials, CCMAs must recertify every two years either by completing 10 CEUs or passing an exam.

Registered medical assistants (RMAs) must recertify every three years either by passing an exam or participating in other activities. NCMAs must recertify every year. CMAs must recertify every five years by either passing an exam or earning 60 continuing education points in designated subject areas.

37.

Which of the following is the control center of the cell and contains all the cell's genetic material?

  • Nucleus

  • Mitochondrion

  • Centrioles

  • DNA

Correct answer: Nucleus

The nucleus contains the cell's genetic material and acts as a control center for the cell's development.

The mitochondrion is the "powerhouse" of the cell, producing energy for it to use. The centrioles assist with cell division. The DNA is the genetic material contained within the nucleus.

38.

What is the best way to manage electronic health records to ensure records are not lost during a fire or natural disaster?

  • Maintain a backup of all electronic health records off-site

  • Keep paper copies of all records in case electronic records are destroyed

  • Keep a backup of the electronic health records in a fire-proof room in the medical center

  • Maintain proper liability insurance

Correct answer: to maintain a backup of all electronic health records off-site

A backup of the medical center's electronic health records should be maintained off-site in another, safe location in case the main electronic system is ever destroyed.

Some clinics still operate with paper charts. However, it is not necessary or efficient to create a separate paper chart to coincide with a patient's electronic record. The servers that store information from the electronic medical records should be located in a secure area inside the medical center. However, it's a good idea to also have this information available from an off-site location in case a disaster or fire destroys the original location. Liability insurance protects healthcare professionals in the case of malpractice lawsuits but does not protect healthcare records from being destroyed in a natural disaster.

39.

Why is it important for health records to include the patient's family history?

  • Because some diseases follow a hereditary pattern

  • In case you need to reach their emergency contact

  • Because the patient's past illnesses may impact which types of care are appropriate

  • To comply with HIPAA regulations

Correct answer: Because some diseases follow a hereditary pattern

Medical records should include information about the patient's family history. This helps the doctor and clinical team track hereditary patterns and may help with preventive care. 

Past illnesses may impact which types of care are appropriate for a patient, but their family health history won't provide that information. The family health history portion of a medical record does not include emergency contact information. HIPAA regulations are concerned with the storage and confidentiality of health records, not the specific health information they include.

40.

What is the role of a physician assistant in a medical office?

  • To provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services

  • To perform administrative duties

  • To act as an aide to the doctor, taking notes and performing occasional diagnostic tests

  • To perform physical examinations only

Correct answer: To provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services

Physician assistants are licensed medical providers who may diagnose, prescribe therapies and medications, and offer preventive healthcare services under the supervision of an overseeing physician.

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