Final Exam Practice

Question 1

The laboratory report on a patient indicates a hemoglobin level of 7 g/dL. What results are considered normal?

Answer 1

men: 13.5-17.5 g/dL
women: 12.0-15.5 g/dL

Question 2

A MA is preparing a patient to have cryosurgery following an abnormal papanicolaou test. How should the MA explain the procedure to the patient?

Answer 2

cryosurgery involves an extremely cold probe to freeze and kill abnormal cells

Question 3

What dressing should a MA use on a partial-thickness burn?

Answer 3

nonadherent dressing

Question 4

What is the proper position for a pelvic examination?

Answer 4

lithotomy

Question 5

A MA receives a call from a patient requesting a refill for fentanyl patches for chronic pain. What should the MA do?

Answer 5

refer the patient’s request to the provider

Question 6

A MA is preparing to create a report about patients who have a family history of breast cancer. What software will allow the assistant to sort, retrieve, and combine information for this report?

Answer 6

database management

Question 7

A MA receives a telephone call from a patient who is hesitant about discussing a new medical concern unless the conversation is with a provider. How should the MA address the patient’s reluctance?

Answer 7

use a reflective statement to recognize the patient’s concerns

Question 8

What are examples of administrative office supplies?

Answer 8

letterhead, envelopes, business cards

Question 9

What are the normal results for sodium?

Answer 9

135-145 mEq/L

Question 10

What are the normal results for RBC count?

Answer 10

4.2-6.1 million cells

Question 11

What are the normal numbers for platelets?

Answer 11

150k-450k per mL

Question 12

What are the normal numbers for potassium?

Answer 12

3.5-5.2 mEq/L

Question 13

How is varicella zoster virus transferred?

Answer 13

airborne transmission

Question 14

What does varicella zoster virus cause?

Answer 14

chickenpox

Question 15

A MA is caring for an infant who suddenly becomes unresponsive for unknown reasons. What should the MA do?

Answer 15

initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Question 16

What type of infection is vulvovaginal candidiasis?

Answer 16

fungal

Question 17

What would cause a MA to perform a capillary collection rather than a venipuncture?

Answer 17

previous thromboses

Question 18

A MA is talking with an older patient who has experienced several injuries at home over the past 6 months. The patient lives alone and has no family nearby. What should the MA say to help ease the patient’s transition to assisted living or long-term care?

Answer 18

It seems like it is no longer safe for you to be at home alone. Let’s talk about other options.

Question 19

What position should the MA prep a patient for an enema?

Answer 19

sims’ position

Question 20

A MA should invert anticoagulant tubes to prevent what?

Answer 20

clotting

Question 21

A MA is checking a patient’s hearing using the Weber test. What action should the MA perform?

Answer 21

ask the patient if he hears the vibration louder in one ear than the other

Question 22

A MA is collecting data for a patient who has cold sores on his lips. What virus is this?

Answer 22

herpes simplex type 1

Question 23

A MA is explaining to a female patient how to collect a clean-catch urine specimen. What instructions should the MA provide?

Answer 23

with the labia spread, urinate a small amount into the toilet before collecting the sample.

Question 24

A primary care provider suspects that a patient has fibromyalgia. A MA should expect the provider to write a referral to what specialist?

Answer 24

Rheumatologist

Question 25

What action should a MA take when obtaining the length of an infant during a well-child visit?

Answer 25

position the infant on his back

Question 26

A medical assistant is preparing to dispose of bandages that have been removed from a patient's open wound. Per OSHA guidelines, which of the following actions should the assistant plan to take?

Answer 26

place the bandages in a red biohazard bag

Question 27

A medical assistant is caring for a patient who is experiencing chills, nausea, and dizziness. The patient's face appears pale. The MA should recognize this as symptoms of what medical emergency?

Answer 27

syncope

Question 28

A MA is determining the amount a patient will be required to pay for a scheduled procedure that has an allowable amount of $200. The patient has a 90/10 coinsurance and has met his deductible. What is the total amount the patient will pay the provider for this procedure?

Answer 28

$20

Question 29

A MA is scheduling diagnostic tests for a patient's liver and pancreas. What system is being assessed?

Answer 29

digestive

Question 30

A MA has just received a derogatory email from a dissatisfied patient. What action should the assistant take?

Answer 30

print the email and make notes about topics to be addressed prior to formulating a response

Question 31

A MA is performing an EKG on a patient. What is the appropriate placement of the electrodes?

Answer 31

tabs downward on the arm

Question 32

What is the route of administration a MA should use when performing a tuberculin skin test?

Answer 32

intradermal

Question 33

A MA is entering patient data into an EMR system. What information is entered into the patient demographics section of the EMR?

Answer 33

occupation

Question 34

A MA is administering an injection and the patient faints. What should the MA do?

Answer 34

place the patient in a supine position

Question 35

A MA is testing a patient's visual acuity using a Snellen chart. What should the MA do?

Answer 35

make sure the patient doesn't lean forward during the test

Question 36

At work, a MA cared for a neighbor who sustained multiple injuries in a fall. After work, another neighbor asks the assistant what happened to the neighbor who fell. Following the AAMA code of ethics, what should the MA say?

Answer 36

I can't share any information about what happens at my job.

Question 37

A MA notices that the medical office is not providing PPE for staff. What agency should the MA contact?

Answer 37

OSHA

Question 38

What is the parenteral medication route for a slow release of medication into the bloodstream?

Answer 38

transdermal

Question 39

When completing documentation in a patient's paper medical record, a medical assistant realizes she made an error. What should the MA do?

Answer 39

draw a line through the error and initial it

Question 40

What is 72 kg in lbs?

Answer 40

158.4 lb

Question 41

A provider examines an older adult patient who is disabled and has a lesion on her arm. A MA should anticipate a referral for what service?

Answer 41

home health care

Question 42

When assisting a provider with a punch biopsy of a mole, what should the MA do?

Answer 42

receive and prepare tissue specimens for processing

Question 43

A MA is collecting vital signs from a 6 year old child. What are the normal vital ranges for respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature?

Answer 43

Respiratory rate: 18-25 breaths per minute Heart rate: 75-118 bpm Blood pressure: 97-120/57-80 Temperature: 98.6F