NAHPUSA National Medical Assistant (MA) Practice Exam

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• What is applied over a stockinette when applying a cast?
• Which is the largest gland in the human body?
• During a microscopic urinalysis, red and white blood cells are reported per what unit?
• What is the medical term for excessive vomiting during pregnancy?
• Which information should be included when taking a patient's health history?
• What test is performed to determine the packed red blood cell volume?
• What term refers to the premature termination of pregnancy when the embryo or fetus cannot survive independently?
• What is the standard position for a patient undergoing a pelvic exam?
• What is another name for a myocardial infarction?
• What are the main components of informed consent?
• What is another term for an employee payroll sheet?
• What is the first step to take when handling a needle stick injury?
• What type of cellular elements in the blood are important for coagulation?
• Which of the following is an important aspect of patient communication?
• What should you do if a claim is rejected by the insurance company?
• Which of the following is not a function of a medical assistant?
• If a carotid pulse is taken, where is it located?
• What is the main muscle located at the upper chest?
• What is the measure of a patient’s breathing rate called?
• In what situation is it appropriate to release patient information without consent?
• What aspect of urine is evaluated during macroscopic examination?
• What is one common laboratory test that medical assistants may perform?
• Intradermal injections are typically administered for what purpose?
• How can medical assistants contribute to reducing healthcare costs?
• Which organ secretes insulin directly into the bloodstream?
• What is the recommended way to respond to a patient's complaints?
• Which document outlines the responsibilities and rights of medical assistants?
• Which type of joint allows for the widest range of motion?
• Why is patient confidentiality important in healthcare?
• What is the medical term for a headache?
• What is the procedure called when a small tissue sample is sent for examination?
• What are the bones of the fingers called?
• Which organ is primarily responsible for bile storage?
• How should medical assistants handle patient refusals of treatment?
• How should medical records be disposed of when they are no longer needed?
• What does the term macroscopic refer to?
• When performing a red blood count, the number of cells counted is multiplied by what factor?
• What is one responsibility of a medical assistant regarding patient records?
• The size of a needle is expressed in which of the following measurements?
• The condition of excessive vomiting is medically referred to as?
• What type of tube is used to collect specimens for a white blood count?
• Name one method to ensure effective sterilization of instruments.
• What is the opposite of superficial?
• What is the purpose of a patient medical history form?
• What is necroscopy commonly referred to as?
• What does the term 'hypodermic' refer to?
• Which of the following can precipitate individual attacks of asthma?
• What is the term for the enlargement of the heart?
• Which gland is referred to as the master gland of the body?
• What could be a key indicator of a medical assistant's effectiveness in their role?
• Which regulatory body's guidelines must medical assistants adhere to?
• Which part of the human brain is responsible for balance and coordination?
• Which of the following is typically a clinical responsibility of a medical assistant?
• What type of medications can a medical assistant typically administer?
• What type of charting method is commonly used in medical offices?
• What is the main purpose of HIPAA?
• What is the term for an enlargement of the kidney?
• What should be done with the first drop of blood when performing a finger puncture?
• Which vital sign is typically measured first during an examination?
• In the term hemoglobin, what does the component "globin" refer to?
• What is the primary purpose of a tickler file in an office setting?
• What is usually the first step in handling a rejected insurance claim?
• After the body's carbohydrate reserves are depleted, which of the following does the body primarily burn for energy?
• What are hemostats primarily classified as?
• What is a common sign of an allergic reaction that medical assistants should monitor?
• Which tests might a medical assistant perform in a laboratory setting?
• Which layers make up the heart?
• What is a common oral infection characterized by white patches?
• What is the term for the facial bones that compose the massive upper jaw?
• When using a microscope with a 10X ocular and the 40X objective in place, what is the total magnification?
• What is the common term for the practice of reviewing multiple medications for potential interactions?
• Which condition is characterized by a thick, white coating in the mouth caused by a fungal infection?
• Which instrument is commonly used to measure a patient's blood pressure?
• What is the name of the bat-shaped bone that extends behind the eyes and forms part of the base of the skull?
• What does a standard calibration EKG measure the complexes in?
• The specific gravity of urine is assessed during which type of examination?
• If a tube of blood is allowed to stand undisturbed, how many major components will it separate into?
• What term is used to describe the use of aids in assisting patients with mobility?
• What does the abbreviation "PRN" mean in medical terms?
• How can medical assistants promote health education among patients?
• What does the olecranon form in the human body?
• What is necessary to practice medicine legally in each state?
• What condition refers to the presence of a tumor in the kidney?
• Medicaid is primarily known as what type of program?
• Why is patient education important in healthcare?
• What is the purpose of a "30-day readmission rate" measure?
• What component of blood is primarily responsible for carrying oxygen?
• What is the medical term for a salivary stone?
• What kind of information does a medical assistant typically gather during a patient intake?
• What is the term for a white area of the mouth?
• What is the medical term for low blood sugar?
• What does diathermy refer to?
• The term 'hematic' is primarily associated with which component of the blood?
• What is the opposite of distal in anatomical terms?
• How many bones are present in the adult human body?
• What is the procedure for taking a throat culture?
• What is the application of water in the treatment of a disease called?
• The primary role of antihypertensive medications is to?
• Which of the following is a duty commonly performed by a medical assistant in patient care?
• Gram staining is primarily used to determine the __________ of bacteria.
• What instrument is typically used for auscultation?
• What can result from protein deficiency?
• What role do phagocytes play in the human body?
• What does the abbreviation “BP” stand for in medical terminology?
• What is a local area of pus and infection called?
• Iron is essential for the production of which component in the blood?
• What should a medical assistant do if they encounter a medical emergency in the office?
• What is the purpose of the "visiting physician's order"?
• How should a medical assistant approach the handling of a difficult patient?
• What is the act of giving birth called?
• If you are asked to take a cervical x-ray, which body region are you imaging?
• All of the following conditions can trigger asthma attacks EXCEPT:
• Drugs in which schedule of controlled substances have a low abuse potential?
• A deficiency in which mineral can lead to the formation of a goiter?
• Which of the following is the hardest tissue in the body?
• What is the alternative name for the Employees Withholding Exemption certificate?
• Which procedure involves the examination of a living tissue sample?
• What is the recommended sequence for taking vital signs?
• Which gland is considered the "master" gland of the human body?
• Name one key factor that contributes to effective team communication in a healthcare environment.
• What is the procedure for cleaning and disinfecting exam rooms?
• During a heartbeat, the rise of the thoracic cavity is known as what?
• When a physician reports a case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) to the state, this is referred to as what?
• What legal doctrine holds an employer responsible for the actions of their employees while performing professional tasks?
• Which term describes the increase in the size of an organ or tissue?
• What should be done if a patient exhibits signs of distress?
• Which of the following is considered an ethical issue in healthcare?
• How can medical assistants support patients who are experiencing anxiety?
• Ultrasound is most commonly paired with which type of therapy?
• Which term describes the reason a patient's leg healed incorrectly due to improper casting?
• How many layers compose the heart structure?
• Which condition is an example of poikilocytosis?
• What is a common method used to evaluate a patient's pain level?
• What is the most common bacteriology stain used in laboratories?
• When can a medical assistant give an injection?
• In performing a manual white blood cell count, the sample is placed on a hematocytometer and counted using which objective?
• What is palpation?
• What is the name of the serous membrane that lines the abdominal wall?
• What is the purpose of an incubator in a laboratory setting?
• The prevailing fee for a medical service in a geographic region is known as what type of fee?
• What is the significance of advanced directives?
• What is the role of a medical assistant during an examination?
• What type of doctor specializes in diseases and conditions of the kidney?
• The blowing sound heard on auscultation is referred to as a?
• Describe the proper way to perform hand hygiene in a clinical setting.
• Which type of bacteria appears in grape-like clusters?
• Which branch of medicine utilizes radionuclides for diagnosis and treatment?
• What is the correct method to check a patient's pulse?
• Which of the following is a common complication of poorly managed diabetes?
• What is a common indication of leukoplakia?
• Under the law passed in 1956, who does TRICARE provide medical and hospital care for?
• Which term describes the manner in which a drug is eliminated from the body?
• In a medical setting, what role does a medical assistant play?
• Which bone forms the forehead and the upper part of the eye sockets?
• In what scenario is it necessary for a medical assistant to update patient demographics?
• What is the condition known as candidiasis in the mouth, particularly in children?
• When focusing a microscope, which objective should you start with?
• What is the first part of a nerve cell that receives the nervous impulse called?
• A recurrent viral infection in the mouth is known as what?
• What is the equivalent Celsius temperature of a normal oral temperature of 98.6°F?
• What is an essential trait for a medical assistant when interacting with patients?
• What is meant by an adverse effect in medical terms?
• Which blood type is considered the universal donor?
• Which part of the small intestine connects with the stomach?
• How is nutrition defined in the context of human health?
• What principle underlies all types of insurance?
• What is the primary role of a medical assistant (MA) in a healthcare setting?
• What should a medical assistant do if they find discrepancies in a patient's medication list?
• What should be the first step in clinical setup for a procedure?
• What method of filing is typically used in a tickler file?
• What is the main principle of infection control?
• What is the point of contact between the axon of one neuron and a dendrite or cell body of another neuron called?
• What does the term "transverse" refer to in anatomical terms?
• What is serum?
• Why is it important for medical assistants to have good organizational skills?
• What is the name of the small sac that stores bile under the liver?
• What is the primary purpose of a cervical x-ray?
• What is the name of the process that converts a drug from its dose form into a usable form for the body?
• Which body part is often assessed for motor function during a neurological exam?
• Which organ system includes the spleen and lymph nodes?
• Which test involves the analysis of urine using a microscope?
• The macroscopic examination of urine includes checking for what qualities?
• What does “EMR” stand for in a healthcare context?
• What is the anatomical term that is opposite of medial?
• What should the lenses of a microscope be cleaned with to prevent scratching?
• What does the term postprandial refer to?
• What is the primary action of antihypertensive drugs?
• What does HIPAA stand for?