Certified Medical Assistant MCQ Flashcards
7 cards from real CMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Certified Medical Assistant MCQ flashcards as text
A physician orders 'NPO after midnight.' What does this instruction mean for the patient?
Answer: Nothing by mouth after midnight
NPO is a Latin abbreviation for 'nil per os,' meaning the patient should not eat or drink anything after midnight.
Which of the following describes the supine position?
Answer: Patient lying on their back, face up
The supine position means the patient is lying flat on their back with face facing upward.
The suffix '-ectomy' in a medical term means:
Answer: Surgical removal of
The suffix '-ectomy' means surgical excision or removal, as in appendectomy (removal of the appendix).
Which body system is primarily responsible for gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide)?
Answer: Respiratory system
The respiratory system, via the lungs and alveoli, performs gas exchange between air and blood.
When scheduling a patient for a fasting lipid panel, the medical assistant should instruct the patient to fast for:
Answer: 9-12 hours
A 9-12 hour fast is required before a lipid panel to ensure accurate triglyceride measurements.
A patient's chart shows an allergy to penicillin documented as 'anaphylaxis.' The provider orders amoxicillin. The medical assistant should:
Answer: Alert the provider immediately before filling the prescription
Amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibiotic, so the medical assistant must alert the provider to the cross-reactive allergy before dispensing.
What is the normal adult respiratory rate at rest?
Answer: 12-20 breaths per minute
A normal adult respiratory rate at rest is 12-20 breaths per minute.