NHA CCMA Practice Questions

An MA drops an instrument while setting up a sterile tray. He picks up the instrument and places it back on the sterile field. A few days later, the patient called the office, concerned that the area around the site was infected. What tort did the MA commit?

• Battery

• Defamation

• Negligence

• Assault

The MA is performing a venipuncture. At which angle should the MA insert the needle?

• 90°

• 15°

• 30°

• 45°

Answer explanation

The medical assistant should insert the needle at a 15° angle when performing a venipuncture.

What specific information about the immunization must be documented in a pediatric patient's permanent medical record according to the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1988?

• Date the vaccine was manufactured

• Manufacturer address

• 
  Ingredients of vaccine

• Lot number of vaccine

Answer explanation

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1988 requires the name, address, title of the medical provider, date vaccine was given, lot number and expiration date of vaccine to be documented in a pediatric patient's permanent medical record.

What should the MA do when using a scale with a height bar to measure a patient's height?

• Lower horizontal bar gently so that it rests on the top of the patient's head

• Have the patient face the weight indicators on the scale

• Raise height bar while the patient is standing on the scale

• Have patient stand up straight and look to one side

Answer explanation

This position will show an accurate measurement of the patient's height.

What OSHA guideline pertains to the disposal of biomedical waste?

• Hiring a biomedical waste disposal service is optional for health care facilities

• Collection containers for biomedical waste should be leak proof and strong

• Health care facilities should retain biomedical waste containers for over 30 days

• Biomedical waste containers should be labeled with the date of disposal

Answer explanation

Biomedical waste containers SHOULD NOT be retained for more than 30 days, be labeled with the chemical name, and health care facilities are required to hire a biomedical waste disposal service.

Collection containers for biomedical waste SHOULD BE leakproof and strong.

Who has the right to release the records of an established patient to another provider's office?

• The patient

• 
  The patient's third-party payer

• 
  The patient's attorney

• The patient's current provider

Answer explanation

The patient has the right to release this information to the new provider and must sign a release for medical records to be sent to a different provider.

REMEMBER PATIENT CONSENT ALWAYS!!

Which sexually transmitted infection is caused by a bacteria?

• Pubic lice

• Trichomoniasis

• Herpes simplex

• Gonorrhea

Answer explanation

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoea.

Herpes simplex is a viral infection.

Trichomoniasis is an infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.

Pubic lice, (AKA crabs) is an infection by the parasite Pediculosis pubis.

Which EKG artifact, caused by a disconnected electrode, leads to the tracing extending into the paper margins?

• AC interference

• Somatic tremor

• Interrupted baseline

• Wandering baseline

Answer explanation

Interrupted baseline is caused by an electrical disconnection/a detached electrode, resulting in the tracing moving into the margins of the paper.

Wandering baseline is caused by poorly attached electrodes or patient movement resulting in a gradual shift of the tracing away from the center of the paper.

AC interference is caused by electrical currents from nearby wiring/equipment and results in a series of even, small spikes in the tracing.

Somatic tremor is caused by muscle movement, resulting in irregular, jagged peaks with a shifting baseline in the tracing.

When removing staples from a wound, what actions should the MA take?

• Gently place the jaw of the staple remover under the staple.

• Gently place the jaw of the staple remover on the top of the staple.

• Carefully tilt the staple remover downward until the staple lifts out.

• Dispose of staples in the waste basket.

Answer explanation

The MA should gently place the jaw of the staple remover under the staple. This technique will lift the staples out of the wound smoothly without causing further discomfort to the patient.

While measuring a patient's pulse, which patient factors can contribute to an erroneous pulse rate, according to the medical assistant?

• Weight

• Hydration

• Movement

• Blood pressure

Answer explanation

HINT: Erroneous is a fancy way of saying incorrect or inaccurate! Also, think about what will directly affect the pulse.

The patient's movement can alter pulse results because of possible heart rate changes. If the patient moves while taking the pulse, the MA might receive an inaccurate measurement.