CMAA Medical Records Management 5

Question 1

Which method is recommended for permanently destroying paper medical records containing PHI?

Accepted Answer

Cross-cut shredding or incineration

Answer

Cross-cut shredding or incineration ensures that PHI on paper cannot be reconstructed and is the HIPAA-compliant disposal method.

Question 2

An EHR audit trail is important because it:

Accepted Answer

Records who accessed or modified a patient record and when

Answer

An audit trail logs all access and changes to electronic health records, providing accountability and supporting compliance investigations.

Question 3

What is the standard retention period for adult patient medical records under most US state guidelines?

Accepted Answer

5 to 10 years after last visit or last date of service

Answer

Most states require adult medical records to be retained for 5 to 10 years from the date of last service, though requirements vary by state.

Question 4

Which of the following situations requires a written authorization from the patient before releasing PHI?

Accepted Answer

Sending records to the patient's attorney for a personal injury lawsuit

Answer

Disclosing PHI to an attorney for legal purposes (such as a personal injury lawsuit) requires specific written patient authorization.

Question 5

In medical record documentation, what is the correct way to make an error correction in a paper record?

Accepted Answer

Draw a single line through the error, write the correct information, date it, and initial it

Answer

A single line through the error preserves the original entry for legal integrity, while the correction, date, and initials show who made the change and when.

CMAA - Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Practice Test

CMAA - Certified Medical Administrative Assistant Practice Test

CMAA Medical Records Management 5