Deck 1: The Profession of Medical Assisting

Question 1

Which of the following is the primary benefit of numeric filing?

A) Patient confidentiality is preserved
B) Only the patients' names must be shown on the labels of the files
C) Files may be stored either vertically or horizontally
D) Color-coding is not necessary
E) Less storage space is required

Answer 1

Patient confidentiality is preserved

Question 2

If a patient is unresponsive, which of the following should be assessed first?

A) Blood pressure
B) Pulse
C) Pupils
D) Muscle tone
E) CAB (Circulation, Airway, and Breathing)

Answer 2

CAB (Circulation, Airway, and Breathing)

Question 3

The receptionist who is responsible for opening the medical office must arrive how long before office hours begin?

A) 45 to 60 minutes
B) 30 to 45 minutes
C) 15 to 20 minutes
D) 5 to 10 minutes
E) More than 60 minutes

Answer 3

15 to 20 minutes

Question 4

Which of the following information is obtained from a completed daysheet?

A) Credit bureau accounts
B) Annual gross income of a medical practice
C) Amount in a petty cash fund
D) Accounts receivable data
E) Withheld payroll taxes

Question 5

Which of the following organisms commonly causes toxic shock syndrome?

A) Myconacterium leprae
B) Staphylococcus aureus
C) Haemophilus ducreyi
D) Neisseria meningitides
E) Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Question 6

Which of the following white blood cells is the smallest in size?

A) Eosinophils
B) Monocytes
C) Basophils
D) Neutrophils
E) Lymphocytes

Question 7

A patient must pay $400 per year for medical expenses before the insurance company will begin to cover any expenses. Which of the following terms describes this payment?

A) Premium
B) Fee-for-service
C) Co-payment
D) Coinsurance
E) Deductible

Question 8

Pulmonary arteries

A) Send blood toward the heart
B) Transfer oxygenated blood away from the heart
C) Transfer low-oxygen blood to the lungs
D) Are very small vessels that connect with veins
E) Transfer blood to the brain

Question 9

Which of the following is the most effective way to educate new patients about office policies?

A) Distribute patient information booklets
B) Distribute office procedure manuals
C) Distribute videotapes
D) Distribute newsletters
E) Make appointments for formal patient orientation sessions

Question 10

The term cryptorchidism means?

A) Inflammation of the penis
B) Undescended testicle
C) Ligation of the vas deferens
D) Herniation of the scrotum
E) Decreased sperm count

Question 11

When collecting a specimen for throat culture, a medical assistant should swab which of the following structures?

A) Gums
B) Pharynx
C) Tongue
D) Buccal mucosa
E) Hard palate

Question 12

Which of the following is the most appropriate study to detect breast abscesses?

A) Stereoscopy
B) Thermography
C) Myelography
D) MUGA scan
E) MRI

Question 13

A disadvantage of single-entry bookkeeping is that it

A) Is the most expensive system to set up
B) Is hard to learn
C) Makes errors hard to spot
D) Is time-consuming
E) Is very rare in medical practices

Question 14

A scheduling method in which patients sign in and are seen on a first-come, first-served basis is known as which of the following?

A) Double booking
B) Open hours
C) Stream
D) Wave
E) Clustering

Question 15

Which of the following causes would give plasma or serum a milky appearance?

A) Hyperlipidemia
B) Kidney disease
C) Cancer
D) Protein disorder
E) Vegetarian diet

Question 16

Which of the following is a type of mail service that guarantees delivery by 3:00 p.m. the following day?

A) Certified
B) Priority
C) Express
D) Registered
E) Special delivery

Question 17

Which of the following words is misspelled?

A) Nueron
B) Malaise
C) Humerus
D) Desiccation
E) Glaucoma

Question 18

The underlined portion of the word hypolipemia represents which of the following word parts?

A) Prefix
B) Root
C) Suffix
D) Combining form
E) None of these

Question 19

Legionella pneumophila is a bacterium that is primarily intracellular and is detected by which of the following?

A) Gram stain
B) Iodine
C) Silver stain
D) Crystal violet
E) Dark field microscopy

Question 20

Which of the following converts printed matter into a form that can be read by a computer?

A) Scanner
B) Keyboard
C) Monitor
D) Printer
E) Mouse

Question 21

The main body part involved in the metabolism of drugs is the

A) Stomach
B) Kidneys
C) Small intestine
D) Large intestine
E) Liver

Question 22

Which of the following refers to the process of determining the circumference of an infant's head?

A) Mensuration
B) Manipulation
C) Palpation
D) Auscultation
E) Inspection

Question 23

Depakene is a type of

A) Antipsychotic
B) Antidepressant
C) Antiepileptic
D) Antibiotic
E) Antivenereal

Question 24

Which of the following parts of a prescription provides directions to the pharmacist?

A) Inscription
B) Subscription
C) Signature
D) Superscription
E) Repetatur

Question 25

An eye examination using a Snellen eye chart tests for which of the following?

A) Peripheral vision
B) Intraocular pressure
C) Extraocular muscle movement
D) Color perception
E) Distance visual acuity

Question 26

You are alone, providing CPR for a very small three-year-old child. Which of the following describes the correct technique to follow in performing chest compressions on this child?

A) Use both hands, one on top of the other
B) Use the heel of one hand
C) Use the tips of two fingers
D) Use the palm and fingers of one hand
E) Use the tips of three fingers

Question 27

A record must be maintained for all drugs dispensed in the medical office that are classified in which of the following schedules?

A) II
B) III
C) IV
D) All of these

Question 28

Who should correct an error in a patient's chart?

A) The medical office manager
B) The person who originally charted the entry
C) The medical records manager
D) The patient's attending physician
E) The attorney for the practice

Question 29

Which of the following types of mail provides proof that a letter has been received?

A) First-class
B) Certified
C) Priority
D) Bulk

Question 30

According to the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), how often is recertification of the certified
Medical assistant (CMA) credential required?

A) Every two years
B) Every three years
C) Every five years
D) Every six years
E) Every seven years

Question 31

An amount that constitutes an addition to revenue is called

A) Debit
B) Credit
C) Payables
D) Equity
E) Charge

Question 32

The type of listening that occurs when the medical assistant does not offer advice or give assistance is

A) Social
B) Active
C) Emotional
D) Critical
E) Passive

Question 33

Which of the following is a type of memory used in computers?

A) CPU
B) DOS
C) DPI
D) VDT
E) RAM

Question 34

During a surgical procedure, a cautery would be used to accomplish which of the following?

A) Removal of contaminated tissue
B) Burning or cutting of tissues
C) Preparation of a specimen
D) Inspection of the wound for necrosis
E) Either removal of contaminated tissue or burning or cutting of tissue

Question 35

An ICD-10-CM code may contain up to how many digits?

A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 7
E) 9

Question 36

The sudden onset of a disease marked by intensity is described as

A) Critical
B) Aplastic
C) Chronic
D) Morbid
E) Acute

Question 37

The amylase test is used for disorders related to the

A) Heart
B) Brain
C) Pancreas
D) Lymphatic system
E) Endocrine system

Question 38

A substance that is released from an injured cell is called a(n)

A) Antihistamine
B) Histamine
C) Antibiotic
D) Anticoagulant
E) Ampule

Question 39

To comply with Medicare guidelines, the physician must write off which of the following charges?

A) Prevailing charges
B) Limiting charges
C) Disallowed charges
D) Coinsurance
E) Deductible

Question 40

Which of the following is the recommended screening test for tuberculosis?

A) Patch
B) Schiller's
C) Mantoux
D) Hemoccult
E) Radioallergosorbent test

Question 41

Distention of the pelvis and calyces of the kidney by urine is referred to as

A) Nephrotic syndrome
B) Pyelonephrosis
C) Hydronephrosis
D) Polycystic renal disease
E) Chronic glomerulonephritis

Question 42

Which of the following types of medications may need to be refrigerated when stored?

A) Nasal sprays
B) Antihistamine tablets
C) Normal saline
D) Antibiotics

Question 43

A disbursement journal is a summary of

A) All daily transactions
B) Accounts paid out
C) Patient receipts
D) Refunds

Question 44

The physician has just arrived and several patients are waiting to be seen. Which of the following patients should the physician see first?

A) A patient scheduled for evaluation of burning when urinating
B) A patient scheduled for rechecking of blood pressure
C) A patient scheduled for cryosurgery
D) A walk-in patient with a swollen ankle
E) A walk-in patient complaining of pain radiating to the left arm

Question 45

For a multipage letter, the medical assistant should use

A) 3 inch margins
B) Letterhead for the first page and blank paper for all other pages
C) Letterhead for all pages, always
D) Double or triple spacing throughout
E) Blank paper for all pages

Question 46

Which of the following medications is used to treat patients with hypertension?

A) Paroxetine (Paxil)
B) Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
C) Alendronate (Fosamax)
D) Hydralazine (Apresoline)
E) Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Question 47

Which of the following pieces of incoming mail should be delivered directly to the physician?

A) An office supply catalog
B) A magazine for the office waiting room
C) A letter marked "Confidential"
D) An insurance form to be completed
E) A check from a patient

Question 48

In an emergency situation, patients with which of the following conditions should be treated first?

A) Multiple fractures
B) Severe sprain
C) Eye injury
D) Shock
E) First-degree burns

Question 49

The white and outermost layer of the eye is called the

A) Retina
B) Iris
C) Ciliary body
D) Vitreous humor
E) Sclera

Question 50

If a drop of blood does not form after capillary puncture, which of the following should be done?

A) Puncture the skin again
B) Push repeatedly on the finger as if milking it
C) Apply a tourniquet
D) Apply steady pressure
E) Wait until a drop does form

Question 51

Which of the following is an appropriate collection technique?

A) Calling patients at work to remind them of their financial obligation and to offer to work with them to help pay their debt
B) Threatening legal action, even though your office rarely undertakes legal action to collect, because the threat makes patients
More likely to pay quickly
C) Calling patients at home after 10 p.m.
D) Sending a payment reminder in the form of a statement or letter when the account is 30 days past due
E) None of these is an appropriate collection technique

Question 52

The outermost layer of the cell is known as

A) Ectoplasm
B) Protoplasm
C) Endoplasm
D) Envelope

Question 53

A patient has a sudden decrease in blood pressure after an acute hemorrhage. The primary cause is a decrease in which of the following?

A) Blood vessel elasticity
B) Blood volume
C) Blood viscosity
D) Peripheral resistance
E) Heart rate

Question 54

The sympathetic action of the pupil of the eye is

A) Constriction
B) Dilation
C) Stimulation
D) Maintaining a constant size
E) None of these

Question 55

Which of the following tests may indicate a kidney disorder?

A) Measurement of T3 and T4
B) Blood urea nitrogen
C) Antinuclear antibody
D) Luteinizing hormone
E) Guaiac test

Question 56

Furosemide is prescribed for

A) Congestive heart failure (CHF)
B) Nephrotic syndrome
C) Hypercalcemia
D) None of these
E) All of these

Question 57

Which of the following is performed to detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin?

A) Urine pregnancy test
B) Complete blood cell count
C) Measurement of blood urea nitrogen level
D) Measurement of fasting serum glucose level
E) Measurement of Rh factor and ABO

Question 58

Deficiency of which of the following may cause rickets?

A) Potassium
B) Protein
C) Folic acid
D) Iron
E) Calcium

Question 59

Which of the following computer menu selections changes the typeface in a document?

A) Graphics
B) Tools
C) View
D) Edit
E) Font

Question 60

Which of the following instruments is used to expand and separate the walls of a cavity to make examination possible?

A) Sound
B) Hemostat
C) Tenaculum
D) Tonometer
E) Speculum

Question 61

The most common type of anemia is

A) Sickle cell
B) Pernicious
C) Folic acid deficiency
D) Iron-deficiency
E) None of these

Question 62

The subject line of a letter appears

A) Two lines below the last line of the body
B) Two lines below the salutation
C) One line above the outside address
D) One line above the inside address
E) One line below the date

Question 63

A medical assistant should do all of the following when answering the telephone, except

A) Give the caller the medical assistant's name first and then the name of the office
B) Identify the caller
C) Ask, "How may I help you?"
D) Hold the phone's mouthpiece an inch away from the mouth
E) Use words appropriate to the situation, but avoid using technical terms

Question 64

The thalamus

A) Controls body temperature
B) Acts as a relay station for sensory impulses
C) Is the center of the brain for memory and visual recognition
D) Connects the two hemispheres of the brain
E) Has no brain function

Question 65

Standard letterhead is

A) Used in general business correspondence
B) 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 inches in size
C) Used for social correspondence
D) Not used in the medical office
E) None of these

Question 66

Which of the following bookkeeping terms refers to charges on the patient's account?

A) Credits
B) Equities
C) Debits
D) Assets
E) Liabilities

Question 67

Which of the following diagnostic studies uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an image of a patient's internal organs?

A) Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
B) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
C) Computed tomography (CT)
D) Ultrasonography
E) Fluoroscopy

Question 68

Which of the following medications is most appropriate for a patient with depression?

A) Cardura
B) Fuzeon
C) Zocor
D) Zoloft
E) Bactroban

Question 69

Which of the following terms refers to the balance due to a creditor on a current account?

A) Collection ratio
B) Aging analysis
C) Accounts payable
D) Income statement
E) Balance sheet

Question 70

Which of the following items is a capital purchase for the medical office?

A) Gowns
B) Cleaning supplies
C) Surgical scissors
D) Autoclave
E) Bandages

Question 71

Which of the following classes of drugs is most appropriate for a patient with a persistent cough?

A) Antidotes
B) Antivirals
C) Antitussives
D) Antibiotics
E) Antidepressants

Question 72

A patient should be advised to bring an insurance card to each appointment for which of the following reasons?

A) To identify changes in the patient's current insurance coverage
B) To confirm the patient's employment
C) To verify the correct spelling of the patient's name
D) To streamline the processing of insurance claims

Question 73

Which of the following types of tinea is known as "jock itch"?

A) Tinea capitis
B) Tinea corporis
C) Tinea inguinal
D) Tinea cruris
E) Tinea pedis

Question 74

Which of the following suffixes means "beginning, origin, production"?

A) -iasis
B) -genic
C) -genetic
D) Both -genic and -genetic
E) None of these

Question 75

A 26-year-old woman has swallowed an overdose of prescribed sleeping pills. She is now unresponsive. When you open her airway, you find that she is gasping for breath and is not breathing normally at all. Using a pocket mask, you provide two rescue breaths and check for signs of circulation, including her pulse, which is rapid but weak. What should you do next?

A) Provide rescue breathing at a rate of one breath every five seconds
B) Begin chest compressions because her pulse is weak
C) Place the victim in the recovery position
D) Perform CPR for one minute with chest compressions only
E) Give two more rescue breaths, place the victim in the recovery position, and then perform CPR for two minutes

Question 76

Which of the following is used in preparing a blood smear slide?

A) Hemoclip
B) Microhematocrit tube
C) Lens paper
D) Automatic puncturing device
E) Spreader slide

Question 77

A physician may order a stool culture if he or she suspects

A) Cancer
B) Protozoal infection
C) Bacterial infection
D) Colitis
E) Any of these

Question 78

Which of the following can increase blood pressure?

A) Fear of medical personnel
B) Age younger than twenty years
C) Use of calcium channel blockers
D) Height greater than 6 feet
E) Dehydration

Question 79

Which of the following cells can release histamine and heparin?

A) Lymphocytes
B) Kupffer cells
C) Erythrocytes
D) Neurons
E) Mast cells

Question 80

Which of the following terms describes the technique used when the medical assistant repeats this back to the patient: "So you have a lot of difficulty sleeping because of your pain?"

A) Paraphrasing
B) Compensation
C) Displacement
D) Rationalization
E) Projection