CMA Certified Medical Assistant MCQ 3

Question 1

A physician orders 'NPO after midnight.' What does this instruction mean for the patient?

Accepted Answer

Nothing by mouth after midnight

Answer

NPO is a Latin abbreviation for 'nil per os,' meaning the patient should not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Question 2

Which of the following describes the supine position?

Accepted Answer

Patient lying on their back, face up

Answer

The supine position means the patient is lying flat on their back with face facing upward.

Question 3

The suffix '-ectomy' in a medical term means:

Accepted Answer

Surgical removal of

Answer

The suffix '-ectomy' means surgical excision or removal, as in appendectomy (removal of the appendix).

Question 4

Which body system is primarily responsible for gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide)?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory system

Answer

The respiratory system, via the lungs and alveoli, performs gas exchange between air and blood.

Question 5

When scheduling a patient for a fasting lipid panel, the medical assistant should instruct the patient to fast for:

Accepted Answer

9-12 hours

Answer

A 9-12 hour fast is required before a lipid panel to ensure accurate triglyceride measurements.

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