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NHA CCMA Exam Questions
Page 4 of 25
61.
You overhear a coworker speaking on the phone with a patient who is experiencing sudden heart palpitations and chest pressure and would like to be put on the daily schedule for today. Your coworker tells the patient the schedule is full, but she will ask the physician and call the patient back.
How should this call have been handled?
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The call should have been transferred to the triage registered nurse, given the urgency of the symptoms.
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The patient should have been advised to come into the clinic immediately.
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The patient should have been offered an appointment for the next day.
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The patient should have been placed on the schedule of a provider who has availability.
Correct answer: The call should have been transferred to the triage registered nurse, given the urgency of the symptoms.
This patient is presenting with possible life-threatening symptoms. Medical assistants must recognize urgent and emergent needs for appointments and understand their facilities' protocol for handling them. This patient should be immediately transferred to the RN or provider in charge of triage, who will decide if the patient requires an ambulance ride to the emergency room or if the situation can be managed in-house.
Do not schedule an urgent or emergent patient onto the daily schedule without the patient being triaged by the RN or provider. They will instruct you on scheduling the patient or sending them to an available provider. This patient requires immediate care and should not be put off until the next day.
62.
How often are Level 1 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes updated by the American Medical Association?
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Annually
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Every five years
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Bi-annually
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Every decade
Correct answer: Annually
The American Medical Association updates CPT codes each year and prints new coding books and materials to outline these changes.
63.
Which option falls within a medical assistant's (MA's) scope of practice?
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Phlebotomy
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Triage
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Submitting refill requests
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Recommending over-the-counter drugs
Correct answer: Phlebotomy
Phlebotomy, or blood drawing, is within an MA's scope of practice.
Medical assistants may not perform triage, submit refill requests without the express instruction of the doctor, or recommend over-the-counter drugs to patients.
64.
Where in the patient's chart would you expect to find a cytology report?
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Lab Results
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Diagnostic Procedures
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Hospital Records
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Therapeutic Services
Correct answer: Lab Results
A cytology report is the result of a laboratory test. It is something that a doctor may order to study abnormal tissue, and it is a close examination of cells under a microscope. Cytology is conducted in the lab, and it is filed under "Laboratory Reports."
65.
Maggie is a pediatric medical assistant. Maggie employs several strategies with her patients according to their age.
Which age group benefits from limiting the number of strangers in the room, employing bright items as distractions, and using a calm voice and gentle gestures to develop rapport?
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Birth to 1 year
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1 to 3 years
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3 to 6 years
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6 to 12 years
Correct answer: Birth to one year
Using a calm voice and unhurried gestures can help soothe and regulate infants through preschool-aged children.
66.
A three-year-old patient fell off his bike and sustained an injury to his knee. The skin gapes apart about two inches, and the edges are jagged. The flesh on his shin is scraped away and bleeding lightly.
What two types of injuries did this child sustain?
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A laceration and an abrasion
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An avulsion and a contusion
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A laceration and an avulsion
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An abrasion and a contusion
Correct answer: A laceration and an abrasion
A laceration occurs when the skin is ripped open, resulting in edges that appear jagged and gape open. Abrasions occur when the skin is scraped or rubbed away.
Avulsion occurs when a small chunk of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone. A contusion is a bruise.
67.
Developing rapport with patients is an important part of providing high-quality care. What is the best definition of rapport?
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A harmonious relationship dynamic
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Mutual admiration and fondness
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Professional respect
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Ethical professional boundaries
Correct answer: A harmonious relationship dynamic
Having rapport with a patient means having a harmonious relationship dynamic. This could include an emotional connection that also respects professional and ethical boundaries.
Rapport can include some combination of admiration, fondness, and respect, but it also can exist without these qualities.
68.
A patient has a weak radial pulse, so you opt to count the pulse at the apical site. For how many minutes should the apical pulse be counted before you document the result?
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One minute
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Two minutes
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Thirty seconds
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One and a half minutes
Correct answer: One minute
The apical pulse should be counted for one full minute and documented with AP (for "apical pulse") beside the result.
69.
What does the QRS complex represent on an ECG tracing?
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The heart's ventricles contract, and blood flows to the arteries.
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The heart's arteries contract, and blood flows to the ventricles.
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The heart's atria contract, and blood flows to the ventricles.
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The heart's ventricles contract, and blood flows to the atria.
Correct answer: The heart's ventricles contract, and blood flows to the arteries.
On an ECG, the QRS complex shows electricity in the heart shooting from the AV node, to the septum, and around the walls of the ventricles. This causes the ventricle muscle to contract, pushing blood out of the heart chambers and into the arteries.
70.
What is the purpose of performing positive and negative controls in allergy skin-testing procedures?
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To ensure the validity and reliability of test results
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To identify allergic reactions in patients
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To assess an immune system response
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To evaluate the sensitivity of the test
Correct answer: To ensure the validity and reliability of test results
Positive and negative controls in allergy skin testing serve to validate and ensure the reliability of the test results. The negative control, typically normal saline, helps rule out reactions caused by factors like dermographism, ensuring that positive reactions are genuinely indicative of allergies. The positive control, using histamine, verifies that the testing system is capable of eliciting a response in non-allergenic patients, confirming the accuracy of negative results. Performing both controls helps maintain the overall quality and credibility of the allergy testing procedure.
These controls, however, do not relate to the level of sensitivity of the test itself.
71.
A medical assistant may utilize an EHR system to record and access patients' medical records. What does the charge capture function do?
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Store lists of billing codes
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Produce electronic prescriptions
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Capture patient data in a format specific to a certain medical specialty
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Store an electronic version of a paper record
Correct answer: Store lists of billing codes
An EHR (electronic health record) system records and manages patients' medical records. An EHR's charge capture function stores lists of billing codes like the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). This functionality helps clinicians bill insurance companies accurately and appropriately.
The prescription writer function produces electronic prescriptions. Specialty software captures patient data in a format specific to a certain medical specialty like dermatology. An electronic medical record (EMR)—not an EHR—stores an electronic version of a paper record.
72.
A patient is seeing the new Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) in your clinic and asks you the difference between a D.O. and a medical doctor (M.D.). Which of the following is the best response?
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A D.O. receives similar training as an allopathic medical doctor. However, their training also includes a focus on holistic and preventive medicine and overall wellness.
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An M.D. receives more training than a D.O.
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D.O.s are chiropractors with additional medical training.
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D.O.s are M.D.s that take additional training in holistic medicine.
Correct answer: A D.O. receives similar training as an allopathic medical doctor; however, their training also includes a focus on holistic and preventive medicine and overall wellness.
They earn the D.O. designation upon graduation, instead of the M.D. designation.
73.
Which of the following is not an appropriate place to store paper-based medical health records?
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On an open shelf in the hallway behind the reception desk where it's easy for the medical assistant to reach
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In a locked cabinet behind the reception desk
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In a locked room away from the patient examination rooms
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On an open shelf in the room behind the reception desk, with a keypad on the door
Correct answer: On an open shelf in the hallway behind the reception desk where it's easy for the medical assistant to reach
Paper-based medical records should not be left in the open where they are easily accessible by others.
It's important to store paper medical records in a locked room or cabinet, in areas where they can't easily be damaged or accessed by non-medical personnel.
74.
A medical assistant is preparing to perform an ear irrigation on a patient who complains of decreased hearing due to impacted cerumen. The patient's medical history indicates a history of ear infections but does not specify any current perforation of the tympanic membrane.
Which is the most important consideration before proceeding with ear irrigation?
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Confirm the absence of a tympanic membrane perforation before initiating the ear irrigation.
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Proceed with the irrigation as planned; impacted cerumen is the primary concern.
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Administer a mild antiseptic solution before proceeding to prevent potential infections.
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Use hydrogen peroxide to soften the cerumen, ensuring a thorough cleansing.
Correct answer: Confirm the absence of a tympanic membrane perforation before initiating the ear irrigation.
It is critical to check for a tympanic membrane perforation before performing ear irrigation. Performing ear irrigation when the membrane is perforated can lead to severe complications.
75.
A bill is returned to a medical office from the post office stating that the address is unknown. What is the first step the medical office should take?
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Call the patient's phone number
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Call the patient's employer
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Send a certified letter to the patient with a receipt upon request
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Call the patient's emergency contact, usually a family member, and explain that the patient owes the medical office money
Correct answer: Call the patient's phone number
Most people today do not change their phone numbers even if they move, as many individuals have mobile phones. For the first step, it is easiest for the medical office to place a call.
Calling a patient's employer is the second step a medical office should take in order to get in contact with the patient. The medical office must not disclose that the patient owes money from a previous office visit. Sending a certified letter to the patient with a receipt upon request can also be done in order to contact the patient, but it is not the first step. Even if the medical assistant has to contact the patient's employer or emergency contact, they should never tell a third party (except for a collections agency) that the patient is in debt.
76.
You are preparing medication using a prefilled sterile cartridge. Which of the following options is a step in that process?
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Place one hand on the needle cover and the other on the cartridge barrel, and then move your hands together to break the seal.
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Before administering the medication, make sure the seal is intact. If it has been broken, discard the cartridge and start again.
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Hold the syringe horizontally while filling to ensure you obtain the correct dosage.
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Discard the needle and Carpuject holder separately.
Correct answer: Place one hand on the needle cover and the other on the cartridge barrel, and then move your hands together to break the seal.
When administering medication from a prefilled sterile cartridge, you should follow protocols to break the seal on the cartridge in order to access the medication. Hold the syringe vertically, not horizontally, while filling it to ensure you obtain the correct dosage. After administering the injection, discard the needle by inverting the Carpuject holder over a sharps container. The Carpuject container should be saved and disinfected, not discarded.
77.
Which of the following is the best description of a medical residency?
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Training in a medical specialty for a physician who has completed medical school
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A certificate program for a physician to obtain board certification
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The first year of medical school
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Specialized training for any newly certified or licensed medical professional, such as a doctor or a medical assistant
Correct answer: Training in a medical specialty for a physician who has completed medical school
Medical residency is intensive post-graduate training for medical students, which is hospital-based. It can last from 1 to 7 years depending on the specialty chosen.
78.
What main elements must the medical assistant include while documenting specimen collection?
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Collection date and time, specimen type and source
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Patient name, date of birth, specimen type, source
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Collection date and time, past medical history, specimen type and source
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Patient name, specimen type, specimen source, reason for the collection
Correct answer: Collection date and time, specimen type and source
These details should be recorded in the medical record. Patient name, date of birth, and past medical history are not needed on an entry about specimen collection.
79.
In a medical laboratory, a medical assistant is tasked with handling various chemical reagents. One day, while working with a hazardous chemical reagent, the assistant notices that the label is loose. What action should the medical assistant immediately take based on safety guidelines?
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Reattach the loose label immediately.
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Continue working carefully to ensure that the loose label doesn't fall off completely.
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Remove the label completely to avoid any confusion.
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Move the container to a separate area and inform the supervisor.
Correct answer: Reattach the loose label immediately.
According to the safety rules for handling hazardous substances, all reagent containers must be clearly and correctly labeled. If a label comes free, you should reattach it right away. This reduces misunderstanding, guarantees accurate identification, and contributes to a safe working environment.
80.
You have just begun working in pediatrics and are unclear whether some clinical duties assigned to you are within a medical assistant's scope of practice. What should you do?
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Refer to your supervising physician for guidance on established policies in your office.
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Observe your MA coworkers to see what clinical tasks they are performing.
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Contact your medical assistant credentialing board for guidance.
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Refer to federal laws regarding medical assistants in your state.
Correct answer: Refer to your supervising physician for guidance on established policies in your office.
Healthcare employers have established policies and expectations for members of their staff, including medical assistants. When in doubt, ask your employer to review the policies and expectations to clarify anything you don't understand.
It's better to ask questions than make assumptions, even if your assumptions come from observing your MA coworkers. There is no need to contact the credentialing board yet since many areas allow MAs to work within a scope of practice determined by their employer (to some degree). Different states follow different standards regarding the MA scope of practice, and some aspects are not regulated at the federal level.