Deck 1: Introduction to Medical Assisting

Question 1

A multiskilled healthcare professional is ____.

A) able to interpret a patient's laboratory data
B) capable of making decisions about a patient's care
C) a cross-trained team member who handles many different duties
D) trained to make judgments about a patient's treatment plan
E) qualified to prescribe medications based on a patient's symptoms

Answer 1

a cross-trained team member who handles many different duties

Question 2

To control the rising cost of healthcare, medical practices reduce personnel costs by hiring ____.

A) medical technicians
B) licensed practical nurses
C) registered nurses
D) physician assistants
E) multiskilled health professionals

Answer 2

multiskilled health professionals

Question 3

The AAMA works to protect the right of the medical assistant to practice through ____.

A) group insurance
B) legislative monitoring
C) continuing education offerings
D) professional networking
E) state chapter activities

Answer 3

legislative monitoring

Question 4

Formal training programs in medical assisting ____.

A) are offered only at 2-year colleges
B) can be replaced by on-the-job training
C) must be approved by the AAMA or AMT
D) last 9 months to 2 years and award a certificate, diploma, or associate degree
E) are offered only online

Question 5

The minimum standards set by the American Association of Medical Assistants for accredited programs are called ____.

A) basics
B) criteria
C) specifics
D) performance objectives
E) areas of competence

Question 6

A multiskilled health-care professional is not trained for which of the following?

A) Facilitating treatment for patients with physical disabilities
B) Scheduling teleconferences for doctors in different locations
C) Making judgments or interpretations concerning a patient's diagnosis
D) Collecting, preparing, and transmitting laboratory specimens
E) Performing medical billing and coding

Question 7

The pins depicted in this figure are conferred upon passing a certification exam. The pin on the right is conferred on its members by which organization?

A) American Medical Technologists
B) American Association of Medical Assistants
C) National Healthcareer Association
D) National Association for Health Professionals
E) National Center for Competency Testing

Question 8

The duties of a medical assistant are broken into which of the following areas?

A) Volunteer and food service
B) Administrative, clinical, and laboratory
C) Housekeeping and nursing
D) Environmental, fire safety, and maintenance
E) Hospital and hospice

Question 9

Which of the following is most likely to increase the career options for a medical assistant?

A) Service as a volunteer in a hospital setting
B) Employment as a nursing aide
C) Experience as a typist or filing clerk
D) Graduation from an accredited program
E) Enrollment with an employment agency

Question 10

The main purpose of the American Association of Medical Assistants is to ____.

A) raise standards to a high professional level
B) develop medical assisting at an increasing rate
C) establish certification requirements
D) provide on-the-job training
E) help medical assistants find employment

Question 11

Which of the following is responsible for documenting the competencies learned by medical assisting students?

A) The educational institution
B) The student
C) The certifying body, such as AAMA or AMT
D) OSHA
E) US Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics

Question 12

To receive certification or registration as a medical assistant, you must ____.

A) graduate from an approved program with a bachelor's degree in medical assisting
B) become a member of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
C) become a member of the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
D) graduate from an approved medical assistant program and pass the CMA(AAMA) or RMA(AMT) examination
E) pass the AAMA or AMT examination and be employed as a medical assistant

Question 13

An example of an administrative duty for a medical assistant is ____.

A) providing patient education
B) removing sutures
C) collecting a urine pregnancy test
D) handling payroll for the office staff
E) performing phlebotomy

Question 14

A certified medical assistant (CMA) must recertify the CMA credential every ____.

A) 6 months
B) year
C) 2 years
D) 5 years
E) 10 years

Question 15

Which of the following organizations offers certification exams for Phlebotomy Technician, EKG Technician, and Medical Transcriptionist?

A) American Association of Medical Assistants
B) American Medical Technologists
C) Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
D) National Association for Health Professionals
E) National Healthcareer Association

Question 16

Which of the following declared medical assisting as an allied health profession?

A) American Medical Technologists
B) US Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics
C) US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
D) American Association of Medical Assistants
E) National Healthcareer Association

Question 17

What is the process by which programs are officially authorized?

A) Certification
B) Registration
C) Accreditation
D) Externship
E) Professional development

Question 18

Benefits offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) include ____.

A) guaranteed salary and job
B) opportunity to travel on the job
C) free hepatitis vaccinations
D) free admission to an accredited medical assisting program
E) professional publications and educational opportunities

Question 19

The purpose of accreditation of medical assistant programs is to ____.

A) ensure that medical assisting programs provide a competency-based education
B) set maximum standards of practice for medical assisting programs
C) determine what courses are taught in medical assisting programs
D) establish organizations for medical assistants
E) prevent medical assistants from being sued for malpractice

Question 20

Externships are ____ in accredited medical assisting schools.

A) mandatory
B) optional
C) unnecessary
D) selective
E) voluntary

Question 21

Testing the functioning of a patient's eyes and eye muscles is an example of which type of task?

A) Clinical
B) Administrative
C) Unauthorized
D) Laboratory
E) Specialized

Question 22

The set of government regulations that help ensure continuity and privacy of healthcare information is known as ____.

A) OSHA
B) CLIA '88
C) ABHES
D) HIPAA
E) CAAHEP

Question 23

The expectations for medical assistants have increased because ____.

A) they are not paid as much as other health-care workers
B) of changes in health care and availability of more formal training
C) the numbers of other health-care workers are not adequate to fill the need
D) of the change in the billing systems for insurance companies
E) not enough students are taking medical assisting courses

Question 24

How many contact hours must a certified medical assistant accumulate in a 5-year period in order to recertify?

A) 15
B) 30
C) 45
D) 60
E) 75

Question 25

An example of a laboratory duty for a medical assistant is ____.

A) removing sutures or changing dressings
B) examining a patient
C) maintaining laboratory equipment
D) supervising personnel
E) preparing a patient for an examination

Question 26

Which of the following is not a purpose of the AAMA's Occupational Analysis?

A) Help practitioners assess their own current competence in the field
B) Find job opportunities for qualified medical assistants
C) Prepare appropriate types of materials for home study
D) Identify entry-level areas of competence for medical assistants
E) Describe the field of medical assisting to other healthcare professionals

Question 27

Becoming cross-trained demonstrates ____.

A) good critical thinking skills
B) commitment to your profession
C) a questionable deviation from the medical assisting practice
D) a reduction in your marketability
E) a lack of interest in medical assisting

Question 28

Which organization accredits private postsecondary institutions and programs that prepare students for entry into the medical assisting profession?

A) Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
B) National Center for Competency Testing
C) National Association for Health Professionals
D) National Healthcareer Association
E) Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools

Question 29

Which of the following is not a benefit of joining a professional association?

A) Networking with other health professionals
B) Achieving career goals
C) Scoring higher on exams
D) Furthering the medical profession
E) Gaining opportunities for continuing education

Question 30

A high school student can prepare to enter medical assistant programs by studying which of the following subject areas in school?

A) Mathematics
B) English
C) History
D) Social Studies
E) Political Science

Question 31

The independent agency that certifies the validity of competency and knowledge of the medical profession through examination and awards designations, such as the National Certified Medical Assistant is the ____.

A) National Healthcareer Association
B) National Association for Health Professionals
C) American Association of Medical Assistants
D) National Center for Competency Testing
E) American Medical Technologists

Question 32

Marco is a medical assistant at Plymouth General Hospital. When he reports for work this morning, his supervisor asks him to draw blood for STAT (immediate) laboratory tests for Bertha Grover in room 3114. This task would be classified as an ____.

A) entry-level laboratory duty
B) entry-level clinical duty
C) entry-level general duty
D) advanced laboratory duty
E) advanced clinical duty

Question 33

Shelby has been working as a dental assistant at Brownville Dental Clinic for six years. She loves her job and wants to make this her career. She wants to show her commitment to her career by becoming credentialed. Her supervisor has told her that if she becomes credentialed, she will be offered a 5% raise. Which of the following organizations offers a credential that would be useful to Shelby in her job?

A) National Healthcareer Association
B) National Association for Health Professionals
C) American Association of Medical Assistants
D) National Center for Competency Testing
E) American Medical Technologists

Question 34

Which organization works with the Medical Assisting Educational Review Board to ensure that accredited schools provide a competency-based education?

A) Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
B) National Center for Competency Testing
C) National Association for Health Professionals
D) National Healthcareer Association
E) Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools

Question 35

Confirmation by an organization that an individual is qualified to perform a job to professional standards is known as ____.

A) registration
B) certification
C) credentialing
D) cross-training
E) professional development

Question 36

Kendra works as a medical assistant at Baker Medical Associates, a group of five physicians. She has been asked to help the physicians analyze the practice and suggest potential areas for improvement. This task would be classified as an ____.

A) entry-level administrative duty
B) entry-level clinical duty
C) entry-level general duty
D) advanced administrative duty
E) advanced clinical duty

Question 37

Although medical assistants are presently not required to be credentialed, which two regulations are making credentialing a logical step in the hiring process?

A) OSHA and HIPAA
B) CLIA'88 and OSHA
C) CLIA'88 and HIPAA
D) HIPAA and AAMA
E) AAMA and OSHA

Question 38

Which organization awards the Registered Medical Assistant credential?

A) American Medical Technologists
B) National Healthcareer Association
C) American Association of Medical Assistants
D) National Association for Health Professionals
E) National Center for Competency Testing

Question 39

Which organization awards the CMA credential?

A) American Medical Technologists
B) National Healthcareer Association
C) American Association of Medical Assistants
D) National Association for Health Professionals
E) National Center for Competency Testing

Question 40

An example of a clinical duty for a medical assistant is ____.

A) preparing a patient for an examination
B) meeting safety and fire protection standards
C) maintaining patient medical records
D) greeting patients and answering telephones
E) interpreting basic laboratory tests

Question 41

Which of the following provides the basis for the AAMA's certification examination?

A) AAMA Board of Directors
B) Occupational Analysis of the CMA (AAMA)
C) CAAHEP and ABHES
D) Candidate's Guide to the Certification Examination
E) CMA Today publication

Question 42

Which of the following does not typically offer formal programs in medical assisting?

A) Postsecondary vocational schools
B) Vocational-technical high schools
C) Four-year colleges and universities
D) Local chambers of commerce
E) Community and junior colleges

Question 43

Which of the following factors does not affect your specific responsibilities as a medical assistant?

A) Location of the facility
B) Size of the facility
C) Medical specialties of the facility
D) The state in which you work
E) Your stated work preferences

Question 44

Jerome has been a medical assistant at Harrison Hospital South for several years and is now looking for an opportunity to expand his career options. In his spare time, he coaches a Little League baseball team, and he loves sports of all types. His medical assisting knowledge has made him more aware of body mechanics and how the musculoskeletal system is involved in various sports. Which of the following specialties might Jerome want to pursue?

A) Podiatric medical assistant
B) Ophthalmic medical assistant
C) Orthopedic medical assistant
D) Pharmacy medical assistant
E) Geriatric medical assistant

Question 45

Which professional organization is dedicated entirely to the medical assisting profession?

A) National Healthcareer Association
B) American Association of Medical Assistants
C) National Association for Health Professionals
D) National Center for Competency Testing
E) American Medical Technologists

Question 46

Medical assistant programs are officially authorized by the process of ________.

Question 47

A medical assistant who can adapt to ________ and is continually learning will be in high demand.

Question 48

How many specific areas of competence are included in the Occupational Analysis?

A) 2
B) 4
C) 6
D) 8
E) 10

Question 49

Who is eligible to take the AAMA's certification examination?

A) Anyone who has a high school diploma or the equivalent
B) Medical assistants who have been working in the field for a minimum of 5 years
C) Students who have completed a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program
D) Anyone who holds a current CPR card
E) Medical assistants who have passed the AMT certification exam

Question 50

Medical assistant programs must include a(n) _______, which is practical work experience for a specified time frame, usually in an ambulatory care setting.

Question 51

The scope of practice of a medical assistant is determined by ____.

A) AAMA
B) AMT
C) state law
D) federal law
E) CAAHEP

Question 52

Yvonne has worked as a medical assistant at Smithson Medical Center for 15 years. Recently she was asked to become the facility's OSHA compliance officer. This task would be classified as an ____.

A) entry-level laboratory duty
B) entry-level clinical duty
C) entry-level general duty
D) advanced laboratory duty
E) advanced clinical duty

Question 53

Professional associations set high ________ for quality and performance in a profession.

Question 54

Darryl is a medical assistant who works in a small facility that could offer him many different kinds of responsibilities, if he had the proper training, so his goal is to become a multiskilled health professional. He wants to expand his knowledge to become a phlebotomy technician and an ECG technician, and maybe a surgical technician. He realizes that if he becomes credentialed in all of these areas, the continuing education requirements will be quite large. Which of the following credentialing organizations would you recommend to Darryl?

A) National Center for Competency Testing
B) National Healthcareer Association
C) American Association of Medical Assistants
D) National Association for Health Professionals
E) American Medical Technologists

Question 55

Which of the following is not a professional organization and, in fact, avoids allegiance to any specific professional organization or association?

A) National Center for Competency Testing
B) National Healthcareer Association
C) American Association of Medical Assistants
D) National Association for Health Professionals
E) American Medical Technologists

Question 56

To recertify as a CMA (AAMA), which of the following is required in addition to a minimum number of contact hours?

A) Valid driver's license
B) Externship
C) Organ donor card
D) Recertification exam
E) Current CPR card

Question 57

The first national association for medical assistants was ____.

A) National Healthcareer Association
B) National Association for Health Professionals
C) American Association of Medical Assistants
D) National Center for Competency Testing
E) American Medical Technologists

Question 58

Which of the following is not a required topic in an accredited medical assisting program?

A) Anatomy and physiology
B) Medical law and ethics
C) Physics
D) Psychology
E) Laboratory procedures

Question 59

Advanced technology, implementation of cost-effective medicine, and the ________ population have resulted in an increased demand for healthcare services and an increase in job opportunities for medical assistants.

Question 60

Jeannine is a medical assistant at the outpatient center of a local hospital. She is responsible for explaining treatment procedures to patients, within her scope of practice. This task would be classified as an ____.

A) entry-level laboratory duty
B) entry-level clinical duty
C) entry-level general duty
D) advanced laboratory duty
E) advanced clinical duty

Question 61

A medical assistant who becomes credentialed as a Registered Medical Assistant automatically becomes a member of ________.

Question 62

Education and classes a medical assistant takes after being credentialed are known as ________ education.

Question 63

To remain certified, RMAs who were certified after 2006 must accumulate ________ contact hours for continuing education units (CEUs) every three years.

Question 64

The purpose of the externship in a medical assisting program is to allow the student to obtain ________.

Question 65

Learning to work in every aspect of a medical facility in addition to your basic duties, or ________, is a valuable marketing tool to include on your résumé.

Question 66

A(n) ________ is a computer-generated document that summarizes your employment and educational history.

Question 67

The skills and knowledge you attain for both personal development and career advancement are known as ________ development.

Question 68

Professional development includes knowing and staying within your ________.

Question 69

The granting of a title or license by a board that gives permission to practice in a chosen profession is ________.

Question 70

Certified medical assistants must be recertified every ________ years.

Question 71

The medical assistant Role Delineation Chart lists the areas of ________ required of all students in accredited medical assisting programs.

Question 72

Even before you begin your training as a healthcare professional, you can gain experience in a healthcare profession by joining a ________ program.

Question 73

The American Red Cross offers volunteer opportunities for student medical assistants in its ________ relief programs around the world.

Question 74

All accredited medical assisting programs are ________ based.

Question 75

Communicating with other health professionals, also called ________, can help you improve yourself professionally.