CCMA Clinical Duties 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient's wound shows erythema, warmth, and purulent discharge three days post-procedure. What is the MOST appropriate initial action for the medical assistant?
- Apply a fresh sterile dressing and document findings
- Notify the provider immediately and document the assessment (Correct answer)
- Administer an antibiotic from the supply cabinet
- Irrigate the wound with hydrogen peroxide
Correct answer: Notify the provider immediately and document the assessment
Signs of wound infection require immediate provider notification so treatment decisions can be made by the licensed clinician.
Question 2: When performing a 12-lead ECG, electrode V4 should be placed at which anatomical landmark?
- 4th intercostal space, right sternal border
- 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line (Correct answer)
- 5th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
- 4th intercostal space, left sternal border
Correct answer: 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
V4 is placed at the fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line on the left side of the chest.
Question 3: A patient weighing 198 lbs requires a medication dosed at 5 mg/kg. What is the correct dose in milligrams?
- 450 mg (Correct answer)
- 495 mg
- 990 mg
- 360 mg
Correct answer: 450 mg
198 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 90 kg; 90 kg × 5 mg/kg = 450 mg.
Question 4: Which of the following is the correct order of draw when collecting multiple tubes via venipuncture?
- Yellow, green, lavender, gray (Correct answer)
- Lavender, red, green, gray
- Red, blue, green, lavender
- Blue, yellow, red, lavender
Correct answer: Yellow, green, lavender, gray
The standard order of draw is: yellow (SPS/culture), light blue (coagulation), red/gold, green, lavender, gray.
Question 5: During an otoscopic exam, the medical assistant should pull the adult patient's ear in which direction to straighten the ear canal?
- Down and back
- Up and back (Correct answer)
- Down and forward
- Straight outward
Correct answer: Up and back
In adults, the auricle is pulled upward and backward to straighten the S-shaped ear canal for visualization.
Question 6: A provider orders 0.5 mL of a medication to be given IM. Which needle gauge and length is MOST appropriate for an adult deltoid injection?
- 18 gauge, 1.5 inch
- 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
- 23 gauge, 1 inch (Correct answer)
- 20 gauge, 2 inch
Correct answer: 23 gauge, 1 inch
A 23-gauge, 1-inch needle is standard for deltoid IM injections in average-weight adults.
Question 7: When assisting with a pelvic examination, the medical assistant should position the patient in which position?
- Sims' position
- Lithotomy position (Correct answer)
- Trendelenburg position
- Prone position
Correct answer: Lithotomy position
The lithotomy position, with feet in stirrups and hips at the table edge, provides optimal access for pelvic exams.
CCMA Clinical Duties 4
A patient's wound shows erythema, warmth, and purulent discharge three days post-procedure.
What is the MOST appropriate initial action for the medical assistant?