Chapter 01
Introduction to Medical Assisting
Multiple Choice Questions
1. | To receive certification or registration as a medical assistant, you must ____.
A. | graduate from an accredited 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 |
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2. | 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 |
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3. | Which of the following declared medical assisting as an allied health profession?
A. | American Medical Technologists |
B. | US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics |
C. | US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare |
D. | American Association of Medical Assistants |
E. | National Healthcareer Association |
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4. | 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 |
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5. | 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 |
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6. | A certified medical assistant (CMA) must recertify the CMA credential every ____.
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7. | Who is responsible for documenting competencies learned by medical assisting students?
A. | The educational institution |
C. | The certifying body, such as AAMA or AMT |
E. | US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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8. | What is the term for the process by which programs such as medical assisting are officially authorized?
E. | Professional development |
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9. | The purpose of accreditation of medical assisting 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 |
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10. | The AAMA works to protect the right of the medical assistant to practice through ____.
B. | legislative monitoring |
C. | continuing education offerings |
D. | professional networking |
E. | state chapter activities |
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11. | The minimum standards set by the American Association of Medical Assistants for accredited programs are called ____.
D. | performance objectives |
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12. | 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 |
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13. | In all accredited medical assisting programs, externships are ______________.
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14. | Which of the following tasks is not considered in the scope of practice for a multiskilled healthcare professional?
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 |
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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 |
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16. | In order to control the rising cost of healthcare and reduce personnel costs, medical practices are hiring which of the following?
B. | Licensed Practical Nurses |
E. | Multiskilled Health Professionals |
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17. | 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 |
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18. | An example of an administrative duty for a medical assistant is ____.
A. | providing patient education |
C. | collecting a urine pregnancy test |
D. | creating and maintaining patient medical records |
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19. | 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 |
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20. | Which of the following examples is a laboratory duty for a medical assistant?
A. | Removing sutures or changing dressings |
C. | Teaching patients to collect specific specimens properly |
E. | Preparing a patient for an examination |
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21. | Testing the functioning of a patient's eyes and eye muscles is an example of which type of task?
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22. | The expectations for medical assistants have increased because ____.
A. | they are not paid as much as other healthcare workers |
B. | of changes in healthcare and availability of more formal training |
C. | the numbers of other healthcare 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 |
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23. | Confirmation by an organization that an individual is qualified to perform a job to professional standards is known as ____.
E. | professional development |
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24. | 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 |
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25. | 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 |
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26. | 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 |
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27. | The set of government regulations that help ensure continuity and privacy of healthcare information is known as ____.
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28. | 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 |
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29. | Although medical assistants are presently not required to be credentialed, which two regulations are making credentialing a logical step in the hiring process?
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30. | 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 |
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31. | 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 |
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32. | 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 |
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33. | 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 |
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34. | 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 |
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35. | 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 |
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36. | How many contact hours must a certified medical assistant accumulate in a 5-year period in order to recertify?
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37. | A high school student can prepare to enter medical assistant programs by studying which of the following subject areas in school?
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38. | The scope of practice of a medical assistant is determined by ____.
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39. | 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 |
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40. | 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 |
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41. | 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 |
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42. | Which of the following factors does not affect your specific responsibilities as a medical assistant?
A. | Location of the facility |
C. | Medical specialties of the facility |
D. | The state in which you work |
E. | Your stated work preferences |
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43. | The first national association for medical assistants was 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 |
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44. | How many specific areas of competence are included in the Occupational Analysis?
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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 |
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46. | 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 |
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47. | 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 |
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48. | 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 |
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49. | 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) |
D. | Candidate's Guide to the Certification Examination |
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50. | 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 |
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51. | 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 |
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52. | Which of the following is not a required topic in an accredited medical assisting program?
A. | Anatomy and physiology |
B. | Medical law and ethics |
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Fill in the Blank Questions
53. | 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.
________________________________________ |
54. | A medical assistant who can adapt to ________ and is continually learning will be in high demand.
________________________________________ |
55. | Professional associations set high ________ for quality and performance in a profession.
________________________________________ |
56. | Medical assistant programs must include a(n) _______, which is practical work experience for a specified time frame, usually in an ambulatory care setting.
________________________________________ |
57. | Medical assistant programs are officially authorized by the process of ________.
________________________________________ |
58. | The medical assistant Role Delineation Chart lists the areas of ________ required of all students in accredited medical assisting programs.
________________________________________ |
59. | To remain certified, RMAs who were certified after 2006 must accumulate ________ contact hours for continuing education units (CEUs) every three years.
________________________________________ |
60. | Advanced classes a medical assistant takes after being credentialed are known as ______________________.
________________________________________ |
61. | The skills and knowledge you attain for both personal growth and career advancement are known as _____________________.
________________________________________ |
62. | The granting of a title or license by a board that gives permission to practice in a chosen profession is ________.
________________________________________ |
63. | A(n) ________ is a computer-generated document that summarizes your employment and educational history.
________________________________________ |
64. | A medical assistant who becomes credentialed as a Registered Medical Assistant automatically becomes a member of ________.
________________________________________ |
65. | All accredited medical assisting programs are ________ based.
________________________________________ |
66. | Certified medical assistants must be recertified every ________ years.
________________________________________ |
67. | The purpose of the externship in a medical assisting program is to allow the student to obtain ________.
________________________________________ |
68. | Communicating with other health professionals, also called ________, can help you improve yourself professionally.
________________________________________ |
69. | Even before you begin your training as a healthcare professional, you can gain experience in a healthcare profession by joining a ________ program.
________________________________________ |
70. | The American Red Cross offers volunteer opportunities for student medical assistants in its ________ relief programs around the world.
________________________________________ |
71. | Professional development includes knowing and staying within the legal _________________ for your specific credential.
________________________________________ |
Multiple Choice Questions
72. | The legal term ______________ is defined as the care that ordinarily is provided by an average, prudent healthcare provider in a given situation.
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Fill in the Blank Questions
73. | Many healthcare practices like the idea of a _____________________________________, who is a cross-trained member of the team and is able to do many different duties because it cuts personnel costs.
________________________________________ |
Multiple Choice Questions
74. | The medical assistant who researches a dietician for a patient with diabetes is acting as a _____________.
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Fill in the Blank Questions
75. | Information on the kinds of duties the medical assistant can perform varies from state to state. This information can be found online by entering the words “__________________________________” in the online search area.
________________________________________ |
Multiple Choice Questions
76. | What role is the medical assistant performing when helping patients through the confusing healthcare system and ensuring the patient’s treatment needs are met?
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