Deck 6: Medical Assisting

Question 1

When taking radial pulse, a medical assistant should do all of the following except:

A)Point the patient's palms downward.
B)Use the thumb to palpate the artery.
C)Use two to three fingertips to palpate the pulse at the inner wrist.
D)Assess the pulse rate, rhythm, volume, and bilateral equality.

Answer 1

Use the thumb to palpate the artery.

Question 2

Kleine, age 57, was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. Andrea, the medical assistant assigned to him, knows that all of the following are appropriate interventions to promote adequate respiratory function, except:

A)Adequate fluid intake.
B)Minimizing cigarette smoking.
C)Deep breathing and coughing exercises.
D)Frequent change of position among bedridden clients.

Answer 2

Minimizing cigarette smoking.

Question 3

An elderly client is admitted to the unit for the first time. Which of the following actions ensures the safety of the client?

A)Keep unnecessary furniture out of the way.
B)Keep lights on all the time.
C)Keep side rails up at all times.
D)Keep all equipment out of view.

Answer 3

Keep unnecessary furniture out of the way.

Question 4

Sipps has a nasogastric tube in place for intermittent feedings. During feedings she should be placed in which position, unless contraindicated?

A)Flat with head to one side
B)Flat and supine
C)High Fowler's
D)Right lateral

Question 5

A client has been identified as having a very virulent bacterial infection that is spread through close physical contact. The medical assistant understands that, in order to decrease the chance of spreading these organisms, which of the following infection control precautions should be observed?

A)Airborne precautions
B)Droplet precautions
C)Contact precautions
D)Protective precautions

Question 6

Michelle is giving a male client a bed bath. She noticed that the Foley catheter is no longer taped on the client's anterior thigh. Michelle obtains medical tape and secures the catheter back in place. The rationale for lateral or upward anchoring of the urethral catheter in a male is to:

A)Prevent pressure at the penescrotal area.
B)Promote comfort.
C)Secure the catheter well.
D)Provide privacy.

Question 7

Which item is inappropriate for a client whose dietary prescription is for clear liquids?

A)Ice cream
B)Popsicle
C)Gelatin
D)Broth

Question 8

The medical assistant needs to remember that after a surgical repair of a hip, which of the following positions is best for the client's legs and hips?

A)Abduction
B)Adduction
C)Prone
D)Supination

Question 9

Sue McGregor, a 25 year-old schoolteacher, is being observed for a possible eating disorder. The physician orders daily weight-taking. Which action should be avoided to ensure an accurate weight?

A)Using the same scale for each measurement.
B)Balancing the scale at zero.
C)Taking the client's weight at different times each day.
D)Making sure that the client is wearing the same clothing during each measurement.

Question 10

Stephanie is going to give Mrs. Crouton, a 65 year-old client, a bed bath. The initial action of Stephanie before performing the procedure is:

A)Close the door and windows of the client's room.
B)Inform the client and explain the purpose of the procedure.
C)Remove the client's gown under the cover of the top sheet.
D)Place the bed in flat position.

Question 11

The medical assistant takes a confused client to the bathroom every night at 9:00 PM prior to helping him to bed for the night. This is an example of:

A)Bladder and bowel training.
B)Encouraging client participation.
C)Establishing a consistent routine.
D)Providing orientation cues.

Question 12

Which statement about resident care conferences is correct?

A)Family members are not allowed to attend.
B)The resident is required to attend.
C)Residents may refuse suggestions made by the health team.
D)Residents attend only if invited by the doctor.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is true about implementing an advanced directive?

A)The advance directive is only applicable to a client who can understand and make choices
B)The physician must evaluate the wishes of the client to determine what the client may want or not want
C)The relatives will be given the legal right to decide for the client's condition
D)Advance directives have the equivalent procedure as do not resuscitate orders (DNRs)

Question 14

While you are obtaining a client's vital signs, he tells you that he is experiencing pain on his IV site. You check his right arm where the intravenous line is connected and notice that it is reddened. What should be your priority action?

A)Change the position of the clamp.
B)Regulate the flow rate to facilitate flushing.
C)Report the observation immediately to the licensed nurse.
D)Stop the flow rate, pull out the IV line aseptically, and report to the licensed nurse. This is a sign of phlebitis.

Question 15

The supervisor is orienting newly hired medical assistants to the policies of the facility and their job responsibilities. The supervisor reminds them that they can refuse to perform a task for any the following reasons except:

A)The task is beyond the legal limits of your role.
B)The task is not in your job description.
C)You do not like the task.
D)A nurse is not available to supervise you.

Question 16

Clients with osteoarthritis may be on bed rest for prolonged periods. When working with these clients, the nursing assistant is aware that they should:

A)Ensure adequate nutrition but limit fluid intake
B)Provide only passive range of motion and decrease stimulation
C)Have the client lie as still as possible and give adequate massaging
D)Turn the client every two hours and encourage coughing and deep breathing

Question 17

Direct questions focus on specific pieces of information that the medical assistant needs from the client. Which of the following is an example of a direct question?

A)"What are your plans for home?"
B)"What will you do when you get home?"
C)"You said that you can't work."
D)"Do you feel better now?"

Question 18

Which of the following ways can a medical assistant demonstrate empathy?

A)Putting others ahead of self
B)Sharing of emotions with residents
C)Imagining self in the place of others
D)Going the extra mile for someone

Question 19

A client says to you, "I am worthless person. I should be dead." What should be your response?

A)"Don't say you are worthless, you are not a worthless person."
B)"We are going to help you with your feelings."
C)"What makes you feel you're worthless?"
D)"What you say is not true."

Question 20

If the agency wishes to do a background check on the newly hired medical assistant, who is the correct authority to provide such information?

A)Previous employer
B)The medical assistant Registry
C)The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987
D)The National Council for State Boards of Nursing

Question 21

The medical assistant needs to eliminate barriers that impede communication. Which of the following is an example of a communication barrier?

A)Use of accepted medical abbreviations
B)Cultural differences between clients and nursing staff
C)Use of silence
D)Having an interpreter speak in behalf of the client

Question 22

Anita overheard a co-worker saying that the nurse assigned to their floor is having an illicit affair with a physician. Anita then informs the supervisor of this information. Which of the following statements best describe the situation?

A)Anita is doing her part in protecting a co-worker from gossip.
B)Anita is eavesdropping and wants to clarify the whole matter with the supervisor.
C)Anita wants the supervisor to intervene in this scandalous situation to protect the reputation of the her employer.
D)Anita is participating in a gossip and is acting unprofessionally.

Question 23

Kristine (RN) is orienting Shella, the new certified medical assistant, to the unit. Kristine mentions that sometimes clients who don't speak English are admitted to their unit. In communicating with these clients, Shella is aware that she should:

A)Stand close to the client and speak slowly
B)Ask an interpreter to facilitate communication
C)Speak to the client and family together to increase the chances that the topic will be understood
D)None of the above

Question 24

Situation: Judy Montgomery, an 85-year-old client with Alzheimer's disease, developed a serious complication of pneumonia and is now attached to a respirator. Knowing that for a comatose client, hearing is the last sense to be lost. As Judy's medical assistant all through her stay in the hospice, what should you do?

A)Tell her family that probably she can't hear them.
B)Talk loudly so that Judy can hear you.
C)Tell her family who are in the room not to talk.
D)Speak softly then hold her hands gently.

Question 25

You are resigning from your work as a medical assistant. What is the most appropriate action for you to take?

A)Call the agency and inform the employer that you will not be reporting for work the next day
B)Call the agency and submit a resignation letter afterwards
C)Find somebody to replace you and recommend them to the Human Resources Department
D)Write a resignation letter indicating your reason for leaving and the last date you will work

Question 26

The stages of grieving identified by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross are:

A)Numbness, anger, resolution, and reorganization.
B)Denial, anger, identification, depression, and acceptance.
C)Anger, loneliness, depression, and resolution.
D)Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Question 27

The first stage of pressure ulcer formation is:

A)A non blan chable, erythematic area of intact skin
B)Partial thickness skin loss involving epidermis and/or dermis
C)Full thickness skin loss involving damage or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue
D)Full thickness skin loss, tissue necrosis or damage to muscle

Question 28

The medical assistant is caring for a client with delirium when the client says, "Look at the spiders on the wall." What should the medical assistant say to the client?

A)"You're having hallucinations. There are no spiders in this room at all."
B)"I can see the spiders on the wall, but they are not going to hurt you."
C)"Would you like me to kill the spiders?"
D)"I know you are frightened, but I do not see spiders on the wall."

Question 29

What does SCM stand for?

A)Stress-chronic mastoid
B)Sternum-clenching mastoid
C)Sternocleidomastoid
D)Slow compression massage

Question 30

During Clarice's orientation to the home facility, the nurse supervisor emphasized that health team members communicate with each other to give coordinated and effective care to their clients. To communicate, Clarice should do all of the following except:

A)Use terms with many meanings.
B)Be brief and concise.
C)Present information logically and in sequence.
D)Give facts and be specific.

Question 31

In order to maintain the workload near the center of gravity to prevent muscle strain and fatigue, the medical assistant should do which of the following when moving a client or heavy object?

A)Carry the object close to the body
B)Hyperextend the arms and neck whenever possible during the move
C)Maintain the bed in its lowest position with the side rails up
D)Stand as far away from the work area as possible

Question 32

I'm the longest muscle in the body. I like to abduct, flex and rotate in my spare time. What is my name?

A)Biceps femoris
B)Gracilis
C)Sartorius
D)Gluteus

Question 33

Which of the following symptoms indicates hyperglycemia?

A)Weight gain, tiredness, and rapid pulse
B)Irritability, excessive perspiration, and rapid pulse
C)Diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss
D)Thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss

Question 34

What is the heel bone called?

A)Patella
B)Calcaneus
C)Plantaris
D)Achilles

Question 35

If a client comes to you with balance issues, then they are probably having problems with what system?

A)Neurological
B)Vestibular
C)Musculoskeletal
D)None of the above

Question 36

Which of the following is a correct statement about binders?

A)A breast binder can be applied for breastfeeding mothers to relieve discomfort
B)Straight abdominal binders are applied while the client is sitting on a chair
C)The double T-binder is generally used for male clients
D)When securing a straight abdominal binder, help the client in a side-lying position to close it at the back using safety pins

Question 37

Older persons are prone to stomachaches and bloating. Which of the following foods are avoided, since they are gas-forming?

A)Prunes
B)Cauliflower
C)Colas and sodas
D)Protein-rich foods

Question 38

Your level of health and vitality is least influenced by what?

A)Mood
B)Nutrition
C)Choice of friends
D)Immune system

Question 39

Not only responsible for well-defined biceps, this system is needed for several other body systems to function properly.

A)The nervous system.
B)The endocrine system.
C)The muscular system.

Question 40

What does the bladder store?

A)Urine
B)Bile
C)Lymph
D)Blood

Question 41

What structure in your body atrophies as you get older?

A)Pineal gland
B)Larynx
C)Spleen
D)None of the above

Question 42

Li, a 63-year-old Chinese immigrant, has an extremely agitated personality. Which activity do you expect the licensed nurse will recommend?

A)Playing card games
B)Watching television
C)Going on daily walks
D)None of the above

Question 43

This system contains the largest organ of the human body, considered the first line of defense against invasion by foreign organisms and also regulates body temperature.

A)The integumentary system.
B)The skeletal system.
C)The circulatory system.
D)My buzzer doesn't work!

Question 44

Which action is incorrect when flossing a client's teeth?

A)Hold the floss between the middle fingers of each hand.
B)Start at the upper back tooth and work down between the teeth.
C)Move the floss gently up and down between the teeth.
D)Use a new piece of floss for each tooth.

Question 45

Rehabilitation and restorative care focus on which of the following?

A)What the person cannot do
B)What the person can do
C)The whole person
D)The person's rights

Question 46

Apnea seen in clients with Cheyne-Stokes respiration is defined as:

A)Inability to breath in a supine position, so the patient sits up in bed to breathe.
B)The client is dead; the breathing stops.
C)There is an absence of breathing for a period of time, usually 15 seconds or more.
D)Slow, shallow, and sometimes irregular respirations

Question 47

When performing oral care on an unconscious client, which of the following prevents aspiration of fluids into the lungs?

A)Put the client on a side-lying position with the head of bed lowered.
B)Keep the client dry by placing a towel under the chin.
C)Wash hands and observe appropriate infection control.
D)Clean the client's mouth with oral swabs in a careful and an orderly progression.

Question 48

Lulu Simpson, 52 years old, is scheduled for a colonoscopy. Prior to the diagnostic procedure, a cleansing enema was ordered by the physician. As the nurse informs Ms. Simpson of the order, you are aware that the common position for this procedure is:

A)Sims left lateral.
B)Dorsal Recumbent.
C)Supine.
D)Prone.

Question 49

The preferred position for the client receiving a back massage is:

A)Prone
B)Supine
C)Fowler's
D)Side lying.

Question 50

As a nurse attendant enters the client's room, the client says, "Bugs are crawling on my sheets! Get them off my bed!" Which of the following responses is the most appropriate?

A)"Don't worry, I'll stay here and brush away the bugs for you."
B)"Try to relax. The crawling sensation will go away sooner if you can relax."
C)"There are no bugs on your sheets. It's just your imagination playing tricks on you."
D)"I know you're frightened. I don't see bugs crawling on your sheets, but I'll stay with you."

Question 51

When giving the client a bed bath, which of the following sequences is preferred?

A)Face, arms, legs, chest, back, buttocks
B)Face, chest, arms, legs, back, buttocks
C)Face, chest, arms, back, buttocks, legs
D)Face, arms, chest, legs, back, buttocks

Question 52

To prevent circulatory impairment in an arm when applying an elastic bandage, which of the following methods is best?

A)Wrap the bandage around the arm loosely.
B)Apply the bandage while stretching it slightly.
C)Apply heavy pressure with each turn of the bandage.
D)Start applying the bandage at the upper arm and work toward the lower arm.

Question 53

The medical assistant is correctly providing penile hygiene to an unconscious clients if she:

A)Uses warm water without soap
B)Dries all areas of the penis thoroughly
C)Washes from the base of the shaft to the tip
D)Avoids retracting the foreskin if not circumcised

Question 54

Which of the following are examples of fluid output that need to be recorded on the I&O sheet?
Urine
Emesis
Blood loss
Excessive perspiration

A)Urine only
B)Urine and blood loss
C)All except emesis
D)All are recorded in the client's I&O sheet

Question 55

Phillips fractured his left leg and now has a cast. A medical assistant caring for Mr. Phillips should do all of the following except:

A)Elevate the cast with one pillow
B)Place talcum powder under the cast
C)Check for discoloration of the toes
D)Keep the cast clean and dry

Question 56

As you assist a Hispanic client during her meal time, which food selections do you expect to be incorporated into a diet that would represent culturally sensitive care?

A)Beans and tortillas.
B)Cheese and olive oils.
C)Vegetables and rice.
D)Red meat and potatoes.

Question 57

After emptying urine from the bedpan of a client whose urinary output is being monitored, what should you do next?

A)Wash hands thoroughly.
B)Apply a clean pair of gloves.
C)Report the amount of urine to the nurse.
D)Document the amount and characteristic of urine in the chart.

Question 58

The physician has ordered to bladder training for a client with an indwelling catheter. The goal of bladder training is to

A)Remove the catheter.
B)Allow the person to walk to the bathroom.
C)Gain control of urination.
D)Void every 3 to 4 hours.

Question 59

Which of the following measure(s) is /are included in the care plan of clients with fecal incontinence?
I.Help with elimination after meals and every 2 to 3 hours.
II.Provide good skin care after every elimination.
III.Assist the nurse in the insertion of a suppository as ordered by the physician.
IV.Apply of incontinence products.
V.Eliminate foods that are gas-forming (cabbage, cauliflower, radish, beans, onions, and cucumbers).

A)II and IV
B)I, II, IV, and V
C)All of the above.
D)II only

Question 60

Which of the following interventions promotes client safety?

A)Asses the client's ability to ambulate and transfer from a bed to a chair.
B)Demonstrate the signal system to the client.
C)Check to see that the client is wearing his identification band.
D)All of the above.

Question 61

Hillary Stank (CMA) is about to bring the meal tray to the room of Mrs. Agnes Wilbur, a 69 year-old resident, who survived a stroke with some neurological deficits and moderate dysphagia. Which of the following statement is incorrect about a client with dysphagia?

A)The client will find pureed or soft foods, such as custards, easier to swallow than water
B)Fowler's or semi Fowler's position reduces the risk of aspiration during swallowing
C)The client should always feed herself
D)The medical assistant should perform oral hygiene before assisting with feeding

Question 62

Which of the following foods is considered part of a full-liquid diet?

A)Gelatin dessert
B)Milkshake
C)Popsicle or similar frozen dessert
D)Tea