CCMA Patient Intake and Vitals 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient's blood pressure reads 158/96 mmHg on two separate occasions. How should the medical assistant document this finding?
- Normal blood pressure
- Stage 2 hypertension
- Stage 1 hypertension (Correct answer)
- Hypotension
Correct answer: Stage 1 hypertension
A reading of 158/96 mmHg meets the criteria for Stage 1 hypertension (130-139/80-89 mmHg range is Stage 1; 140+/90+ is Stage 2 per ACC/AHA 2017 guidelines — 158/96 is Stage 2).
Question 2: When measuring a patient's oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter, which site is preferred when the fingertip is compromised due to poor circulation?
- Earlobe (Correct answer)
- Forehead
- Toe
- Upper arm
Correct answer: Earlobe
The earlobe is an acceptable alternative pulse oximetry site when fingertip readings are unreliable due to poor peripheral circulation or nail polish.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes Korotkoff sounds used during manual blood pressure measurement?
- Sounds produced by heart valve closure
- Turbulent blood flow sounds heard through a stethoscope as cuff pressure is released (Correct answer)
- Sounds caused by artery wall vibration during inflation
- Electronic beeps produced by a digital sphygmomanometer
Correct answer: Turbulent blood flow sounds heard through a stethoscope as cuff pressure is released
Korotkoff sounds are turbulent blood flow sounds heard through a stethoscope over the brachial artery as cuff pressure is gradually released during manual BP measurement.
Question 4: A medical assistant is obtaining a patient's weight using a standing balance scale. The patient is wearing heavy boots. What is the correct action?
- Add 2 lbs to the final reading
- Ask the patient to remove the boots before weighing (Correct answer)
- Document the weight with a note about clothing
- Proceed without adjustment as clothing is standard
Correct answer: Ask the patient to remove the boots before weighing
Patients should remove heavy footwear and excess clothing before weighing to ensure an accurate baseline weight measurement.
Question 5: During patient intake, a patient reports a known allergy to penicillin. What is the most appropriate next step for the medical assistant?
- Advise the patient to avoid all antibiotics
- Document the allergy and the type of reaction in the medical record (Correct answer)
- Notify the pharmacist immediately
- Ask the patient to bring written proof at the next visit
Correct answer: Document the allergy and the type of reaction in the medical record
Allergies must be documented in the medical record along with the specific reaction type (e.g., rash, anaphylaxis) to alert all members of the care team.
Question 6: What is the correct technique for measuring a patient's respiratory rate?
- Count breaths for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 while telling the patient
- Count breaths for 30 seconds and multiply by 2 without informing the patient (Correct answer)
- Count only inhalations for 60 seconds
- Measure using a pulse oximeter's respiratory module only
Correct answer: Count breaths for 30 seconds and multiply by 2 without informing the patient
Respiratory rate is most accurately measured by counting breaths for 30 seconds (×2) or 60 seconds without the patient's awareness to prevent voluntary changes in breathing pattern.
Question 7: A patient's oral temperature is 99.8°F. Which term best describes this finding?
- Afebrile
- Low-grade fever (Correct answer)
- High-grade fever
- Hypothermia
Correct answer: Low-grade fever
A temperature between 99.1°F and 100.4°F (37.3°C–38°C) is classified as a low-grade fever; normal oral temperature is approximately 98.6°F (37°C).
CCMA Patient Intake and Vitals 4
A patient's blood pressure reads 158/96 mmHg on two separate occasions.
How should the medical assistant document this finding?