NHI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NHI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A post-surgical patient has a PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) pump. The healthcare worker's role is to: → Monitor the patient's pain, sedation, and respiratory status
2. A patient's insurance claim is denied because the procedure code doesn't match the diagnosis code. This is called a: → Code linkage error
3. When applying a sterile dressing to a wound, which action should be performed last? → Secure the dressing with tape
4. Which of the following describes 'accounts receivable' (A/R) in a medical office? → Money owed to the practice for services already rendered
5. First-degree AV block is defined on an ECG by: → A consistently prolonged PR interval greater than 0.20 seconds
6. Which type of communication includes facial expressions, gestures, and posture? → Nonverbal communication
7. The suffix '-emia' refers to a condition of: → Blood
8. Which of the following is a primary administrative duty during the patient check-in process to ensure accurate billing and proper patient identification? → Making a photocopy or digital scan of the patient's photo ID and insurance card
9. In ventricular fibrillation (VF), the ECG shows: → Chaotic, disorganized electrical activity with no recognizable waves
10. The QRS complex on an ECG represents which cardiac event? → Ventricular depolarization
11. What is the medical term for the condition of having low blood sugar? → Hypoglycemia
12. Which of the following best describes 'informed consent'? → A patient agreeing to treatment after receiving complete and understandable information
13. Which is the correct placement for the V1 precordial lead? → 4th intercostal space, right sternal border
14. Which assessment method provides the MOST reliable data for NHI professionals making critical decisions? → Standardized tools combined with professional observation
15. When using a terminal digit filing system for medical records, how are the digits in the patient's record number read to determine the correct filing order? → From right to left, typically in pairs or groups of digits
16. When administering ear drops to an adult patient, the medical assistant should pull the auricle (pinna): → Up and back
17. A patient asks a medical assistant to alter a chart entry. The medical assistant should: → Refuse and explain that records cannot be altered
18. What is the significance of an 'insurance verification' in a medical office? → It confirms the patient’s insurance eligibility and coverage
19. A healthcare professional discovers a colleague is stealing medication from the facility. What is the most appropriate action? → Report it to the appropriate supervisor or authority
20. What is a key responsibility of a medical assistant in assisting with injections? → Assisting the physician and preparing the patient
21. The suffix '-itis' refers to: → Inflammation
22. The term 'anterior' in anatomy means: → Toward the front
23. The QT interval on an ECG represents: → Total ventricular electrical activity including both depolarization and repolarization
24. What is the normal range for heart rate in sinus rhythm? → 60–100 bpm
25. Atrial fibrillation on an ECG is characterized by: → Absent P waves and an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm
26. Which of the following best describes 'active listening'? → Giving full attention, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting back what was said
27. A patient weighing 220 lbs needs medication dosed at 5 mg/kg. What is the patient's weight in kilograms? → 100 kg
28. Which consent is required before a patient can be enrolled in a research study under federal regulations? → Informed consent with IRB-approved documentation
29. A hemolyzed specimen will most likely cause a falsely ELEVATED result for which analyte? → Potassium
30. Which type of filing system uses color-coded labels to organize patient records alphabetically? → Alphanumeric filing