Medical Assistant Quiz

A medical assistant is obtaining a blood pressure reading from an adult patient. For which of the following reasons should the assistant contact the provider?

• 100/60

• 98/68

• 104/45

• 122/60

Which of the following actions should a medical assistant take when performing ear irrigation for an adult patient?

• Pull the pinna up and back

• Warm the solution to 16.67 C (62 F)

• Place the patient in the prone position

• Insert the barrel of the syringe in the meatus of the patient's ear

A patient is preparing to undergo an intensified biopsy where a large section of abnormal cervical tissue, as well as a small amount of normal tissue is removed. The medical assistant understands that this procedure is which of the following?

• Conization

• Cryosurgery

• Moh's surgery

• Punch biopsy

A medical assistant is obtaining vital signs from a patient. Which of the following actions should the technician take when obtaining the patient's blood pressure?

• Inflate the cuff to a minimum of 220 mmHg

• Record the first auscultated sound as the diastolic number

• Position the stethoscope over the radial pulse point

• Place the cuff 5 mm (2 in) above the patient's palpable brachial artery

Dyspnea reflects a change in which of the following vital signs?

• Pulse

• Blood pressure

• Temperature

• Respiration

A medical assistant enters the laboratory where a patient is already seated. What should the assistant do first?

• Wash hands and put on gloves

• Gather necessary supplies

• Identify the patient

• Label the tubes

The medical assistant understands that which of the following temperature measurements is considered to be febrile?

• 98.6 F

• 99.0 F

• 99.5 F

• 97.7 F

A medical assistant is setting up a surgical tray for a procedure. What distance from the edges of the sterile field should the assistant consider contaminated?

• 1/4 inch

• 1/2 inch

• 3/4 inch

• 1 inch

A medical assistant is acting as a sterile scrub assistant. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

• Tear the corner when opening the 4x4 package

• Maintain a 1-inch border around the sterile field

• Wear non-latex gloves

• Lay instruments gently on the sterile field

During a physical examination, a medical assistant might witness the provider tapping a patient's body, usually with the fingers or a small hammer, to elicit sounds or vibratory sensations. What is the name of this exam technique?

• Palpation

• Auscultation

• Percussion

• Manipulation