NHA Medical Assistant Exam
A MA should recognize that which of the following is recommended regarding fingernail
care and hand hygiene? - ANSWER-Remove artificial fingernails when working w/ high-
risk populations.
Which of the following steps should a MA take to follow aseptic guidelines when
administering injections? - ANSWER-Wipe the injection site w/ an alcohol pad.
A MA is cleaning a room following a surgical procedure. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take to ensure proper bioharzardous waste handling of used gauze
pads? - ANSWER-Place the gauze pads in a red polyethylene bag.
Which of the following procedures requires a MA to use aseptic technique? - ANSWER-
Suturing.
Which of the following disposal methods should a MA use in accordance w/ OSHA
guidelines for handling biohazardous waste? - ANSWER-Label chemicals w/ their
names and data before disposal.
According to CDC recommendations, what is the minimum length of time a MA should
spend scrubbing his hands w/ soap & water when performing hand hygiene? -
ANSWER-20 seconds.
A MA is preparing to sterilize a vaginal speculum. Which of the following sterilization
techniques should the assistant use? - ANSWER-Autoclave. (A quick & effective
method that uses steam under pressure to sterilize on-site medical equipment.)
A MA is washing infectious debris off several sharp surgical instruments. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take? - ANSWER-Wear utility gloves while
sanitizing the instruments.
Which of the following statements about alcohol-based hand sanitizer is correct? -
ANSWER-Hand sanitizer should be applied to dry hands.
A MA is loading prepackaged hemostats into an autoclave. Which of the following
actions should the assistant take to ensure sterilization? - ANSWER-Organize the
packages loosely w/o touching the walls
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has congestive heart failure for an
examination for the provider. What manifestation should the assistant expect? -
ANSWER-Shortness of breath.
,When measuring a patient's respiratory rate, what action should a medical assistant
take to ensure an accurate reading? - ANSWER-Count the respiration while the patients
thinks his pulse is being obtained.
Which of the following laboratory Results should the medical assistant recognize is
abnormal? - ANSWER-Potassium 3 mEq/L.
A provider has requested a dissecting instrument on a sterile tray that a medical
assistant is preparing. Which of the following instruments should the assistant include
on the tray? - ANSWER-Scissors.
A MA is replacing a sharps container in an examination room and receives a small
laceration on her arm from the plastic lid. Which of the following types of documentation
should the assistant complete as a result of this incident? - ANSWER-OSHA form 301.
A MA is reviewing a pt's medical history prior to the pt appointment. Which of the
following laboratory results indicate the need to schedule an extension of the current
visit? - ANSWER-Fasting blood glucose 168 MG/DL.
How should you administer a buccal tablet? - ANSWER-Between the gums and cheek.
Which of the following terms should a MA use to tell a provider that a pt is having
discomfort and difficulty breathing - ANSWER-Dyspnea.
Which of the following methods is used to notify a provider of the denial of a claim by an
insurance carrier? - ANSWER-Remittance advice.
Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic examination? - ANSWER-
Lithotomy.
Which of the following cardiac procedures is withing a MA scope of practice and does
not require a licensed technician or provider to assist or perform it? - ANSWER-Holter
Monitor Application.
Which of the following EKG artifacts is caused by a disconnected electrode and results
in the tracing going into the margins of the paper? - ANSWER-Interrupted baseline.
A MA receives a telephone call from a pt who seems anxious about the results of a test.
Which of the following responses should the assistant make? - ANSWER-"I know you
are concerned about your test results. We'll call you as soon as your results comes in."
A MA is assisting with the physical examination of a pt who has scabies. Besides
gloves, which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment should the
assistant wear? - ANSWER-Gown.
, A pt loses consciousness. The EKG tracing reveals ventricular fibrillation. Which of the
following actions should a MA take first? - ANSWER-Call for help and begin CPR.
A medical assistant is composing a business correspondence using the simplified letter
style. Which of the following features should the medical assistant use - ANSWER-
Subject line is in all capital letters.
Where should a MA place the electrode for lead v5? - ANSWER-On the left anterior
axillary line, horizontal to V4.
A MA is caring for a pt who is 5' 7" tall. Which of the following is the pt's height in
centimeters? - ANSWER-170 cm.
Which technique should a MA use when bandaging a wound? - ANSWER-Distal to
proximal (away to closer).
Which of the following is outside of a medical assistant's scope of practice? - ANSWER-
Order additional laboratory tests to confirm the patient's condition.
A pt is seen in an urgent care center for a laceration to the left foot. The provider
evaluates the injury, determines sutures are not needed, applies a dressing, and
releases the patient. Which of the following levels of examination should a MA use for
the procedural coding for this visit? - ANSWER-Problem-focused examination.
Prior to a patient's follow-up appointment, which should a MA report to the provider? -
ANSWER-Recent lab results.
A MA is reviewing a provider's instructions as the patient is preparing to leave the office.
The provider recommends that the patient purchase an over-the-counter antitussive, but
the patient tells the assistant that she does not know what an antitussive is. Which of
the following responses should the assistant make? - ANSWER-"its a medicine that
suppresses the cough reflex."
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient about the use and care of a
transdermal patch. Which of the following instructions should the assistant include in the
teaching? - ANSWER-"Select a different application location for each new patch."
Which position is for a rectal examination? - ANSWER-Sims.
Which of the following steps for a finger stick should a MA complete first? - ANSWER-
Confirm the correct identity of the pt.
Which of the following cell structures is instrumental in helping the body mobilize and
secrete mucus from the respiratory track? - ANSWER-Cilia.
A MA should recognize that which of the following is recommended regarding fingernail
care and hand hygiene? - ANSWER-Remove artificial fingernails when working w/ high-
risk populations.
Which of the following steps should a MA take to follow aseptic guidelines when
administering injections? - ANSWER-Wipe the injection site w/ an alcohol pad.
A MA is cleaning a room following a surgical procedure. Which of the following actions
should the assistant take to ensure proper bioharzardous waste handling of used gauze
pads? - ANSWER-Place the gauze pads in a red polyethylene bag.
Which of the following procedures requires a MA to use aseptic technique? - ANSWER-
Suturing.
Which of the following disposal methods should a MA use in accordance w/ OSHA
guidelines for handling biohazardous waste? - ANSWER-Label chemicals w/ their
names and data before disposal.
According to CDC recommendations, what is the minimum length of time a MA should
spend scrubbing his hands w/ soap & water when performing hand hygiene? -
ANSWER-20 seconds.
A MA is preparing to sterilize a vaginal speculum. Which of the following sterilization
techniques should the assistant use? - ANSWER-Autoclave. (A quick & effective
method that uses steam under pressure to sterilize on-site medical equipment.)
A MA is washing infectious debris off several sharp surgical instruments. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take? - ANSWER-Wear utility gloves while
sanitizing the instruments.
Which of the following statements about alcohol-based hand sanitizer is correct? -
ANSWER-Hand sanitizer should be applied to dry hands.
A MA is loading prepackaged hemostats into an autoclave. Which of the following
actions should the assistant take to ensure sterilization? - ANSWER-Organize the
packages loosely w/o touching the walls
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has congestive heart failure for an
examination for the provider. What manifestation should the assistant expect? -
ANSWER-Shortness of breath.
,When measuring a patient's respiratory rate, what action should a medical assistant
take to ensure an accurate reading? - ANSWER-Count the respiration while the patients
thinks his pulse is being obtained.
Which of the following laboratory Results should the medical assistant recognize is
abnormal? - ANSWER-Potassium 3 mEq/L.
A provider has requested a dissecting instrument on a sterile tray that a medical
assistant is preparing. Which of the following instruments should the assistant include
on the tray? - ANSWER-Scissors.
A MA is replacing a sharps container in an examination room and receives a small
laceration on her arm from the plastic lid. Which of the following types of documentation
should the assistant complete as a result of this incident? - ANSWER-OSHA form 301.
A MA is reviewing a pt's medical history prior to the pt appointment. Which of the
following laboratory results indicate the need to schedule an extension of the current
visit? - ANSWER-Fasting blood glucose 168 MG/DL.
How should you administer a buccal tablet? - ANSWER-Between the gums and cheek.
Which of the following terms should a MA use to tell a provider that a pt is having
discomfort and difficulty breathing - ANSWER-Dyspnea.
Which of the following methods is used to notify a provider of the denial of a claim by an
insurance carrier? - ANSWER-Remittance advice.
Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic examination? - ANSWER-
Lithotomy.
Which of the following cardiac procedures is withing a MA scope of practice and does
not require a licensed technician or provider to assist or perform it? - ANSWER-Holter
Monitor Application.
Which of the following EKG artifacts is caused by a disconnected electrode and results
in the tracing going into the margins of the paper? - ANSWER-Interrupted baseline.
A MA receives a telephone call from a pt who seems anxious about the results of a test.
Which of the following responses should the assistant make? - ANSWER-"I know you
are concerned about your test results. We'll call you as soon as your results comes in."
A MA is assisting with the physical examination of a pt who has scabies. Besides
gloves, which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment should the
assistant wear? - ANSWER-Gown.
, A pt loses consciousness. The EKG tracing reveals ventricular fibrillation. Which of the
following actions should a MA take first? - ANSWER-Call for help and begin CPR.
A medical assistant is composing a business correspondence using the simplified letter
style. Which of the following features should the medical assistant use - ANSWER-
Subject line is in all capital letters.
Where should a MA place the electrode for lead v5? - ANSWER-On the left anterior
axillary line, horizontal to V4.
A MA is caring for a pt who is 5' 7" tall. Which of the following is the pt's height in
centimeters? - ANSWER-170 cm.
Which technique should a MA use when bandaging a wound? - ANSWER-Distal to
proximal (away to closer).
Which of the following is outside of a medical assistant's scope of practice? - ANSWER-
Order additional laboratory tests to confirm the patient's condition.
A pt is seen in an urgent care center for a laceration to the left foot. The provider
evaluates the injury, determines sutures are not needed, applies a dressing, and
releases the patient. Which of the following levels of examination should a MA use for
the procedural coding for this visit? - ANSWER-Problem-focused examination.
Prior to a patient's follow-up appointment, which should a MA report to the provider? -
ANSWER-Recent lab results.
A MA is reviewing a provider's instructions as the patient is preparing to leave the office.
The provider recommends that the patient purchase an over-the-counter antitussive, but
the patient tells the assistant that she does not know what an antitussive is. Which of
the following responses should the assistant make? - ANSWER-"its a medicine that
suppresses the cough reflex."
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient about the use and care of a
transdermal patch. Which of the following instructions should the assistant include in the
teaching? - ANSWER-"Select a different application location for each new patch."
Which position is for a rectal examination? - ANSWER-Sims.
Which of the following steps for a finger stick should a MA complete first? - ANSWER-
Confirm the correct identity of the pt.
Which of the following cell structures is instrumental in helping the body mobilize and
secrete mucus from the respiratory track? - ANSWER-Cilia.
