MODULE 5

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of obtaining a patient’s medical history?
A) To diagnose the patient
B) To gather background information for treatment
C) To complete insurance paperwork
D) To schedule follow-up appointments

Answer 1

b

Question 2

Which technique is used to measure body temperature using the ear?
A) Oral thermometer
B) Tympanic thermometer
C) Temporal thermometer
D) Rectal thermometer

Answer 2

b

Question 3

When should a medical assistant wash their hands during patient care?
A) Only before patient contact
B) Only after patient contact
C) Before and after every patient contact
D) Once at the start of the shift

Answer 3

c

Question 4

What is the correct way to identify a patient before a procedure?
A) Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth
B) Check the room number
C) Use the patient’s nickname
D) Refer to the chart only

Answer 4

a

Question 5

How do you ensure patient privacy during a physical exam?
A) Leave the door open
B) Draw the privacy curtain or close the door
C) Allow visitors in the room
D) Conduct the exam in a public hallway

Answer 5

b

Question 6

What is the recommended angle for inserting an intramuscular injection?
A) 15 degrees
B) 45 degrees
C) 90 degrees
D) 30 degrees

Answer 6

c

Question 7

What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate?
A) 40–60 beats per minute
B) 60–100 beats per minute
C) 100–120 beats per minute
D) 120–140 beats per minute

Answer 7

b

Question 8

How should you position a patient for a rectal temperature measurement?
A) Supine
B) Prone
C) Sims’ position
D) Fowler’s position

Answer 8

c

Question 9

What does the acronym SOAP stand for in documentation?
A) Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
B) Symptoms, Observation, Analysis, Prescription
C) Standard, Objective, Action, Procedure
D) Subjective, Operation, Assessment, Plan

Answer 9

a

Question 10

What is the correct method for measuring a patient’s height?
A) Have patient lie down flat
B) Have patient stand straight without shoes
C) Measure from head to toe while seated
D) Estimate based on age

Answer 10

b

Question 11

Which part of the stethoscope is best for listening to high-pitched sounds?
A) Bell
B) Diaphragm
C) Earpiece
D) Tube

Answer 11

b

Question 12

How do you correctly apply a blood pressure cuff?
A) Two inches above the elbow, snug but not tight
B) On the wrist tightly
C) Over clothing
D) Below the elbow loosely

Answer 12

a

Question 13

What is the normal range for adult respiratory rate?
A) 8–12 breaths per minute
B) 12–20 breaths per minute
C) 20–30 breaths per minute
D) 30–40 breaths per minute

Answer 13

b

Question 14

What should you do if a patient refuses treatment?
A) Force the treatment
B) Document the refusal and inform the provider
C) Ignore and proceed anyway
D) Ask family to convince the patient

Answer 14

b

Question 15

What is the proper way to handle and dispose of sharps?
A) Throw them in the trash
B) Recap needles before disposal
C) Place in a puncture-resistant sharps container
D) Burn them immediately

Answer 15

c

Question 16

When taking a pulse, where is the radial artery located?
A) On the side of the neck
B) Inside the elbow
C) On the thumb side of the wrist
D) Behind the knee

Answer 16

c

Question 17

What is the function of the Sims position?
A) For abdominal exams
B) For rectal exams or enemas
C) For chest x-rays
D) For sleeping

Answer 17

b

Question 18

How often should vital signs be checked during a routine physical?
A) Once at the start
B) Every hour
C) Once at the end
D) As ordered by the provider

Answer 18

d

Question 19

What are common signs of a patient experiencing hypoglycemia?
A) Increased thirst and urination
B) Shakiness, sweating, confusion
C) High fever
D) Chest pain

Answer 19

b

Question 20

Why is it important to explain procedures to the patient before starting?
A) To fill time
B) To reduce patient anxiety and gain cooperation
C) To delay the procedure
D) To avoid paperwork

Answer 20

b

Question 21

What is the difference between subjective and objective data in patient records?
A) Subjective is measurable; objective is patient-reported
B) Subjective is patient-reported; objective is measurable
C) Both are the same
D) Only objective data is important

Answer 21

b

Question 22

How should you prepare a patient for a blood draw?
A) Inform the patient and apply tourniquet properly
B) Restrain the patient
C) No preparation needed
D) Tell the patient to avoid drinking water

Answer 22

a

Question 23

What is the most accurate method to measure blood pressure?
A) Palpation method
B) Using an automatic cuff over clothing
C) Using a properly sized cuff on a bare arm
D) Estimating based on pulse rate

Answer 23

c

Question 24

How can you maintain infection control in a clinical setting?
A) Wearing gloves only
B) Washing hands regularly and using PPE
C) Avoiding patient contact
D) Cleaning only at the end of the day

Answer 24

b

Question 25

What is the correct order of taking vital signs? A) Temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure B) Pulse, blood pressure, respiration, temperature C) Blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration D) Respiration, temperature, blood pressure, pulse

Answer 25

a

Question 26

How do you calculate a patient’s body mass index (BMI)? A) Weight (kg) / Height (m²) B) Height (inches) / Weight (pounds) C) Weight (lbs) × Height (inches) D) Height (m) / Weight (kg)

Answer 26

a

Question 27

When should you document patient information? A) Before the procedure B) Immediately after the procedure C) At the end of the day D) Only if there is a problem

Answer 27

b

Question 28

What is the first step in performing CPR? A) Check for responsiveness B) Call for help C) Begin chest compressions D) Open the airway

Answer 28

a

Question 29

What is the term for measuring oxygen saturation in the blood? A) Electrocardiogram B) Blood glucose test C) Pulse oximetry D) Spirometry

Answer 29

c

Question 30

What is the proper way to take a tympanic temperature? A) Insert the thermometer into the mouth B) Place it under the armpit C) Gently insert into the ear canal D) Place on the forehead

Answer 30

c

Question 31

How should a medical assistant handle a patient with limited English proficiency? A) Speak loudly B) Use medical jargon C) Use an interpreter or translation services D) Ignore communication barriers

Answer 31

c

Question 32

What should be done if a patient has a latex allergy? A) Use standard gloves B) Use powdered latex gloves C) Use non-latex gloves and equipment D) Avoid contact completely

Answer 32

c

Question 33

What is the best way to communicate with a hearing-impaired patient? A) Speak very loudly B) Use written materials and face the patient while speaking C) Use hand gestures only D) Avoid eye contact

Answer 33

b

Question 34

Which method is commonly used to measure blood glucose levels? A) Urinalysis B) Fingerstick blood test C) Blood pressure cuff D) Pulse oximeter

Answer 34

b

Question 35

How should you handle a patient who is feeling faint during a procedure? A) Continue immediately B) Call for security C) Help the patient lie down and elevate their legs D) Ignore and finish the procedure

Answer 35

c

Question 36

When using a wheelchair to assist a patient, what is important to remember? A) Leave the brakes off for easier movement B) Lock the wheelchair brakes before transferring the patient C) Push the wheelchair backwards D) Allow the patient to push themselves without assistance

Answer 36

b

Question 37

What is the primary function of gloves in patient care? A) To keep hands warm B) To prevent contamination and infection C) To improve grip D) To protect from chemicals only

Answer 37

b

Question 38

What is the main purpose of a chaperone during a physical exam? A) To assist with paperwork B) To provide comfort and protect patient and provider C) To perform the exam D) To clean equipment

Answer 38

b

Question 39

What is the first thing to do when a patient shows signs of an allergic reaction? A) Offer water B) Continue with procedure C) Stop procedure and notify provider immediately D) Call security

Answer 39

c

Question 40

What is the term for a temperature reading taken under the tongue? A) Tympanic B) Axillary C) Oral D) Rectal

Answer 40

c

Question 41

Which position is best for a patient having trouble breathing? A) Supine B) Prone C) Fowler’s D) Sims’

Answer 41

c

Question 42

How do you properly label a specimen container? A) With the patient’s initials only B) No label is needed C) With the patient’s full name, date, and time of collection D) With the provider’s name only

Answer 42

c

Question 43

What is the best way to measure a child’s height? A) Have child stand against a wall without shoes B) Use a stadiometer and ensure the child is standing straight C) Measure while child is seated D) Estimate based on age

Answer 43

b

Question 44

What should be done if a patient vomits during a procedure? A) Continue without cleaning B) Ignore it C) Stop procedure and clean the area immediately D) Call family member

Answer 44

c

Question 45

How long should a medical assistant listen when counting respirations? A) 10 seconds B) 15 seconds C) 30 seconds or 1 full minute D) 5 seconds

Answer 45

c

Question 46

What is the proper response if a patient asks a question you cannot answer? A) Guess the answer B) Ignore the question C) Tell the patient you will find out or refer them to the provider D) Change the subject

Answer 46

c

Question 47

What is the main reason for checking a patient's pulse? A) To measure blood sugar B) To assess heart rate and rhythm C) To check oxygen levels D) To determine body temperature

Answer 47

b

Question 48

How should you clean the area before giving an injection? A) Use plain water B) Use soap and water only C) Use an alcohol swab in a circular motion D) No cleaning is needed

Answer 48

c

Question 49

What is the correct method to measure a patient's weight? A) Have patient wear heavy clothes B) Use any scale without calibration C) Use a calibrated scale and have the patient remove shoes and heavy clothing D) Estimate weight visually

Answer 49

c