CMA Medical Procedures and Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Snellen chart?
- Assessing color blindness
- Measuring visual acuity (Correct answer)
- Testing peripheral vision
- Evaluating depth perception
Correct answer: Measuring visual acuity
The Snellen chart is the standard tool for measuring distance visual acuity, typically at 20 feet.
Question 2: During an ECG, the P wave represents:
- Ventricular depolarization
- Atrial depolarization (Correct answer)
- Ventricular repolarization
- Atrial repolarization
Correct answer: Atrial depolarization
The P wave represents atrial depolarization, which triggers contraction of the atria.
Question 3: To obtain a urine specimen for a culture and sensitivity test, the medical assistant should instruct the patient to collect a:
- First morning specimen
- Clean-catch midstream specimen (Correct answer)
- 24-hour urine specimen
- Random specimen
Correct answer: Clean-catch midstream specimen
A clean-catch midstream specimen minimizes contamination from skin flora, providing accurate culture results.
Question 4: When performing audiometry, which frequency range is considered the normal speech range?
- 50-500 Hz
- 500-2000 Hz (Correct answer)
- 3000-6000 Hz
- 8000-10000 Hz
Correct answer: 500-2000 Hz
The 500-2000 Hz range encompasses the frequencies most important for understanding normal conversational speech.
Question 5: Which position is used for examination of the rectum and sigmoid colon?
- Lithotomy
- Sim's (lateral recumbent) (Correct answer)
- Trendelenburg
- Fowler's
Correct answer: Sim's (lateral recumbent)
Sim's position (left lateral with right knee flexed) allows access to the rectum and sigmoid colon for examination.
Question 6: The medical assistant is preparing to apply a plaster cast. Which of the following is true about plaster casting material?
- It dries in approximately 5 minutes
- It generates heat as it sets (Correct answer)
- It is lighter than fiberglass
- It is water-resistant when set
Correct answer: It generates heat as it sets
Plaster undergoes an exothermic reaction as it sets, which the patient may feel as warmth or heat.
Question 7: When assisting with a lumbar puncture, which position is most commonly used?
- Prone with a pillow under the abdomen
- Lateral recumbent with knees drawn to chest (Correct answer)
- Sitting upright leaning forward
- Supine with legs elevated
Correct answer: Lateral recumbent with knees drawn to chest
The lateral recumbent (fetal) position with knees drawn to chest widens the intervertebral spaces for easiest needle insertion.
CMA Medical Procedures and Techniques 3
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Snellen chart?