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Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA) practice questions

224 free questions with answers and explanations.

Practice test
  1. 151.A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's medical record for a visit where the patient presented with symptoms of acute bronchitis. The physician's documentation includes 'chief complaint,' 'history of present illness,' 'review of systems,' and 'physical examination.' Which of the following components is missing to meet the typical requirements for an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service?Administrative: Billing, Coding and Scheduling
  2. 152.A medical assistant is preparing to submit a claim for a patient who received allergy injections. The physician administered three different allergens. How should the medical assistant code the administration of these injections?Administrative: Billing, Coding and Scheduling
  3. 153.A medical assistant is scheduling appointments for a specialty clinic. The physician prefers to see patients with similar conditions consecutively to optimize equipment use and staff preparation. Which scheduling method best aligns with this preference?Administrative: Billing, Coding and Scheduling
  4. 154.A medical assistant is assigning an ICD-10-CM code for a patient diagnosed with 'acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with acute bronchitis.' According to ICD-10-CM guidelines, which of the following is the correct coding sequence?Administrative: Billing, Coding and Scheduling
  5. 155.A medical assistant is abstracting information from a patient's chart for coding. The patient has a documented diagnosis of 'Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy.' Which of the following ICD-10-CM coding guidelines applies to this scenario?Administrative: Billing, Coding and Scheduling
  6. 156.A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's chart and notes that the patient consistently misses appointments and shows poor adherence to medication regimens. Which of the following approaches should the medical assistant prioritize to improve patient adherence?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  7. 157.A medical assistant is asked by a patient's adult daughter to provide a copy of her father's entire medical record. The father has been deemed legally incompetent, and the daughter presents a valid guardianship document. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the medical assistant to take?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  8. 158.A medical assistant is providing pre-operative instructions to a patient scheduled for a colonoscopy. The patient repeatedly nods their head and says "mm-hmm" but avoids eye contact and has a furrowed brow. Which of the following responses by the medical assistant is most appropriate?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  9. 159.A medical assistant is preparing to perform a venipuncture on a 6-year-old child. The child is visibly anxious and starts to cry, pulling their arm away. Which of the following therapeutic communication techniques is most appropriate for the medical assistant to use?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  10. 160.A medical assistant is documenting a patient's vital signs. The patient's blood pressure is 138/86 mmHg, heart rate is 72 bpm, respiratory rate is 16 breaths/min, and temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). The medical assistant should document this information in which section of the patient's electronic health record?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  11. 161.A medical assistant is documenting a patient's chief complaint. The patient states, "I've had a terrible headache for three days, and nothing helps." Which of the following is the most appropriate way to document this in the patient's chart?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  12. 162.A medical assistant is providing patient education to a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The patient appears overwhelmed and states, "This is too much information, I don't think I can remember all of this." Which of the following strategies should the medical assistant employ?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  13. 163.A medical assistant is explaining a complex medical procedure to a patient who appears to have limited English proficiency. The patient nods occasionally but seems hesitant to ask questions. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the medical assistant to take?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  14. 164.A medical assistant is educating a patient about a new prescription. To ensure the patient understands the instructions, the medical assistant asks the patient to explain in their own words how they will take the medication. Which educational method is the medical assistant employing?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  15. 165.A medical assistant is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult patient. The patient expresses significant anxiety, stating, "I'm really scared of needles, and I don't want this shot." Which of the following therapeutic communication techniques should the medical assistant use FIRST?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  16. 166.A patient, who is a competent adult, refuses a recommended flu vaccination. The medical assistant explains the benefits and potential risks of not receiving the vaccine. Which of the following ethical principles is the medical assistant upholding by respecting the patient's decision?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  17. 167.A medical assistant is preparing to administer a vaccine to an adult patient. The patient states, 'I read online that vaccines cause autism, so I don't want it.' Which of the following is the most appropriate initial response by the medical assistant?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  18. 168.A medical assistant is reviewing a new patient's intake forms. The patient has indicated they are a Jehovah's Witness and have marked 'No blood transfusions' on their advanced directive. What is the medical assistant's primary responsibility regarding this information?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  19. 169.A medical assistant overhears a colleague discussing a patient's diagnosis in the waiting room with their spouse, in a voice audible to other patients. Which of the following HIPAA principles is being violated?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  20. 170.A medical assistant is documenting a patient's visit in the electronic health record. The patient reported experiencing 'sharp, stabbing pain' in their lower back. Which of the following should the medical assistant accurately record in the patient's chart?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  21. 171.A medical assistant is asked by a patient's adult son for information about his mother's recent lab results. The son is not listed as a contact on the mother's HIPAA authorization form, but states he has medical power of attorney. Which of the following actions should the medical assistant take FIRST?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  22. 172.A medical assistant is asked by a physician to perform a procedure that the medical assistant has not been trained for and is not within their scope of practice according to state regulations. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the medical assistant to take?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  23. 173.A physician asks a medical assistant to call a patient's employer to confirm their employment status for disability paperwork. The patient has not signed a specific release of information for their employer. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the medical assistant to take?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  24. 174.A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a colonoscopy. The patient expresses significant anxiety about the procedure and mentions that their sibling had complications from a similar procedure. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate therapeutic communication technique for the medical assistant to use?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  25. 175.A medical assistant is preparing to schedule a follow-up appointment for a patient who was recently discharged from the hospital after a myocardial infarction. The physician has ordered a cardiac rehabilitation program. When communicating with the patient, which of the following is the most important information to convey to promote adherence to the physician's orders?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  26. 176.A medical assistant is providing patient education to a patient newly diagnosed with hypertension. The patient expresses concern that they will have to drastically change their entire diet and lifestyle overnight. Which of the following therapeutic communication techniques should the medical assistant use to address the patient's concern and promote realistic goal-setting?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  27. 177.A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's medical record for an upcoming appointment. The patient's previous visit note states, 'Patient reports increased fatigue and difficulty sleeping.' This documentation best exemplifies which part of the SOAP note format?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  28. 178.A medical assistant is explaining dietary modifications to a patient newly diagnosed with hypertension. The patient frequently interrupts, makes sarcastic remarks, and avoids eye contact. Which of the following communication barriers is the patient primarily demonstrating?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  29. 179.A medical assistant is discussing a patient's post-operative care instructions. The patient frequently interrupts, changes the subject, and appears distracted. Which of the following non-verbal cues indicates the patient is not fully engaged in the education?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  30. 180.A medical assistant is asked by a physician to perform an invasive procedure that is outside the medical assistant's scope of practice, even though the MA has observed the procedure multiple times. What is the most appropriate action for the medical assistant to take?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  31. 181.A medical assistant is updating a patient's medication list in the electronic health record (EHR). The patient states they stopped taking a prescribed medication three months ago due to side effects. How should the medical assistant document this information?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  32. 182.A medical assistant is preparing to escort a patient with a known history of anxiety into an examination room. The patient appears visibly distressed, is wringing their hands, and avoids eye contact. Which of the following therapeutic communication techniques should the medical assistant use FIRST?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  33. 183.A medical assistant is preparing a patient for a minor surgical procedure. The patient has signed the consent form, but just before the procedure, they express significant hesitation and state, "I'm not sure I want to do this anymore." What is the appropriate next step for the medical assistant?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  34. 184.A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's medical record and notices an entry from a previous visit that contains a factual error. The entry was made by another medical assistant. Which of the following actions should the medical assistant take?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  35. 185.A medical assistant observes a colleague accessing the electronic health record of a patient who is not under their care and for whom they have no legitimate reason to access information. Which of the following federal regulations is being violated by the colleague's action?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  36. 186.A medical assistant is preparing to obtain informed consent from a patient for a minor surgical procedure. Which of the following is the LAST step the medical assistant should take AFTER the physician has explained the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  37. 187.A medical assistant is tasked with creating patient education materials for a diverse patient population, including those with limited literacy. Which of the following strategies should the medical assistant prioritize to ensure effective communication?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  38. 188.A medical assistant accidentally documents a patient's allergy to penicillin as 'no known allergies' in the EHR. Upon realizing the error, which of the following is the CORRECT way to rectify the mistake in an electronic health record?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  39. 189.A medical assistant is explaining a new medication regimen to an elderly patient who has some hearing loss and uses a hearing aid. Which of the following strategies would be most effective for ensuring the patient understands the instructions?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  40. 190.A medical assistant is educating a patient about managing their new prescription for a chronic condition. The patient has limited literacy and asks for clarification multiple times. Which of the following patient education strategies would be most effective?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  41. 191.A medical assistant is preparing to perform a venipuncture on a patient. The patient explicitly states, 'I do not want you to take my blood.' Which of the following principles is the patient exercising?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  42. 192.A medical assistant is asked by a patient's adult daughter for an update on her mother's condition. The daughter states, "My mother always tells me everything, so I'm sure she wouldn't mind." The medical assistant has no documentation of the patient consenting to share information with her daughter. What is the most appropriate response?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  43. 193.A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's chart and notices that the physician has ordered a 'do not resuscitate' (DNR) order. Which of the following statements accurately describes the legal and ethical implications of a DNR order?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  44. 194.A medical assistant receives a subpoena requesting a patient's complete medical record for a legal proceeding. The patient has not provided explicit authorization for this release. Which of the following actions should the medical assistant take FIRST?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  45. 195.A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's medical record for a follow-up appointment. They notice that a previous entry made by a colleague contains a factual error regarding the patient's allergy status. The original entry states 'No known drug allergies (NKDA),' but the patient's intake form clearly lists an allergy to penicillin. What is the correct procedure for the medical assistant to rectify this documentation error?Communication and Legal/Ethical
  46. 196.A medical assistant is preparing to perform a sterile procedure. During the setup, the MA turns their back to the sterile field to retrieve additional supplies. Which of the following is the most appropriate action to take immediately after turning back to the sterile field?Safety and Infection Control
  47. 197.A medical assistant is reviewing the clinic's sharps disposal policy. Which of the following statements about sharps containers is consistent with OSHA regulations?Safety and Infection Control
  48. 198.A medical assistant is tasked with cleaning an examination room after a patient diagnosed with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Which type of disinfectant is most effective against C. diff spores?Safety and Infection Control
  49. 199.A medical assistant is reviewing a clinic's infection control plan. Which of the following components of the plan specifically addresses the management of potentially infectious waste generated in the facility?Safety and Infection Control
  50. 200.A medical assistant is setting up a sterile field for a minor surgical procedure. Which of the following actions would compromise the sterility of the field?Safety and Infection Control