Which of the following body structures is part of both the digestive and endocrine systems?
A. Appendix
B. Pancreas
C. Liver
D. Gallbladder
B (Pancreas)
A medical assistant (MA) is asked by a patient’s spouse for the results of a recent biopsy. The patient has not signed a release form. What is the MA's appropriate action?
A. Give the results to the spouse to be helpful.
B. Tell the spouse the results are negative to ease their mind.
C. Explain that HIPAA prevents the release of info without written consent.
D. Ask the provider to call the spouse with the results.
C. (Explain that HIPAA prevents the release of info without written consent.)
Which of the following is a "Point-of-Service" (POS) plan feature?
A. No out-of-network benefits.
B. Allows patients to choose between HMO or PPO style care at the time of service.
C. Requires no referrals for any specialist.
D. Is only available for patients over 65.
B. (Allows patients to choose between HMO or PPO style care at the time of service.)
When performing a venipuncture, which of the following is the correct order of draw for these three tubes?
A. Lavender, Green, Light Blue
B. Light Blue, Green, Lavender
C. Green, Lavender, Light Blue
D. Light Blue, Lavender, Green
B. (Light Blue, Green, Lavender)
What is the first step when a patient faints during a blood draw?
A. Finish the draw quickly.
B. Call 911.
C. Remove the needle and tourniquet.
D. Put a cold compress on their head.
C. (Remove the needle and tourniquet.)
A patient presents with pain in the Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ). Which organ is most likely the source of the discomfort?
A. Stomach
B. Spleen
C. Appendix
D. Gallbladder
C (Appendix)
Which of the following represents an "Implied Consent"?
A. A patient signing a surgical consent form.
B. A patient extending their arm for a blood draw.
C. A parent giving verbal permission for a child’s vaccine.
D. A patient agreeing to a treatment plan after a long discussion.
B. (A patient extending their arm for a blood draw.)
2. When coding a diagnosis, which manual should a medical assistant use?
A. CPT
B. HCPCS
C. ICD-10-CM
D. PDR
C. (ICD-10-CM)
Which EKG lead is placed at the 4th intercostal space, right of the sternum?
A. V1
B. V2
C. V4
D. V6
A. (V1)
The suffix -itis means:
A. Pain
B. Enlargement
C. Inflammation
D. Removal
C. (Inflammation)
Which hormone is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, increasing heart rate and blood glucose levels?
A. Insulin
B. Thyroxine
C. Epinephrine
D. Melatonin
C (Epinephrine)
A patient becomes angry and starts yelling in the waiting room. What is the best initial response by the MA?
A. Yell back to maintain authority.
B. Ignore the patient until they calm down.
C. Calmly ask the patient to step into a private area to discuss the issue.
D. Call the police immediately.
C. (Calmly ask the patient to step into a private area to discuss the issue.)
Which type of scheduling system involves booking two patients at the top of the hour and one at the 30-minute mark?
A. Wave scheduling
B. Modified wave scheduling
C. Double-booking
D. Clustering
B. (Modified wave scheduling)
Critical Thinking: A patient’s blood pressure is 158/96 mmHg. How should the medical assistant categorize this?
A. Normal
B. Elevated
C. Hypertension Stage 2
D. Hypertensive Crisis
C. (Hypertension Stage 2)
Which of the following is a sterile procedure?
A. Taking a blood pressure
B. Performing a dressing change on a surgical wound
C. Performing a throat culture
D. Administering an oral medication
B. (Performing a dressing change on a surgical wound)
In the "Chain of Infection," which of the following is an example of a Portal of Exit?
A. A sneeze from an infected patient
B. A dirty needle
C. A healthy person’s open wound
D. A stagnant pool of water
A (A sneeze from an infected patient)
Which legal doctrine states that an employer is responsible for the actions of an employee?
A. Res ipsa loquitur
B. Respondeat superior
C. Quid pro quo
D. Subpoena duces tecum
B. (Respondeat superior)
A patient has a $20 co-pay and a 20% coinsurance. If the total bill is $100 and the deductible is met, how much does the patient owe?
A. $20
B. $36
C. $40
D. $100
B. ($36)
When measuring an infant’s head circumference, where should the tape measure be placed?
A. Just above the eyebrows and around the widest part of the back of the head.
B. Around the forehead and chin.
C. At the base of the neck.
D. Directly over the ears.
A. (Just above the eyebrows and around the widest part of the back of the head)
A patient is in the Sims' position. This is most commonly used for:
A. Chest exams
B. Rectal exams or suppositories
C. Pelvic exams
D. Breathing treatments
B. Rectal exams or suppositories
Which layer of the heart is the thickest and responsible for the pumping action?
A. Epicardium
B. Endocardium
C. Pericardium
D. Myocardium
D (Myocardium)
Critical Thinking: An elderly patient arrives with a bruise on their upper arm that looks like finger marks. When asked, the patient becomes quiet and looks at their caregiver nervously. What is the MA’s legal obligation?
A. Confront the caregiver immediately.
B. Mind their own business.
C. Report the suspicion of abuse to the provider and/or proper authorities.
D. Document it but do not tell anyone.
C. (Report the suspicion of abuse to the provider and/or proper authorities.)
Critical Thinking: While organizing the office mail, the MA finds a letter marked "Personal and Confidential" addressed to the provider. The MA should:
A. Open it to scan into the EMR.
B. Give it directly to the provider unopened.
C. Throw it away if it looks like junk mail.
D. Read it to see if it’s an emergency.
B. (Give it directly to the provider unopened.)
Which of the following is a contraindication for taking a tympanic temperature?
A. The patient has a cough.
B. The patient is 5 years old.
C. The patient has an ear infection or impacted cerumen.
D. The patient just drank cold water.
C. (The patient has an ear infection or impacted cerumen.)
Which quadrant is the gallbladder located in?
A. LUQ
B. RUQ
C. LLQ
D. RLQ
B. (RUQ)