NHI Patient Care & Medical Assisting Techniques 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient experiences syncope (fainting) in the waiting room. After calling for help, the first action the medical assistant should take is:
- Administer oxygen via nasal cannula
- Place the patient in the Trendelenburg position
- Check for responsiveness and call 911 if unresponsive (Correct answer)
- Offer the patient juice or a snack
Correct answer: Check for responsiveness and call 911 if unresponsive
The primary response to any unresponsive patient is to assess responsiveness and activate emergency services if needed.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the chain of infection that a medical assistant disrupts by using antiseptic hand gel?
- Susceptible host
- Portal of entry
- Mode of transmission (Correct answer)
- Reservoir
Correct answer: Mode of transmission
Hand hygiene breaks the mode of transmission by removing or killing pathogens on the hands before they spread to patients or surfaces.
Question 3: A provider orders a throat culture to rule out Group A Streptococcus. Which technique should the medical assistant use when swabbing?
- Swab the inside of both cheeks and the gum line
- Swab the tonsillar area and posterior pharynx while avoiding the tongue and uvula (Correct answer)
- Swab the tip of the tongue and hard palate
- Insert the swab into both nares and rotate
Correct answer: Swab the tonsillar area and posterior pharynx while avoiding the tongue and uvula
The tonsillar pillars and posterior pharynx are the target areas for strep culture; touching the tongue or uvula causes gagging and contamination.
Question 4: When documenting an allergy to penicillin in a patient's chart, what additional information should the medical assistant record?
- The pharmacy where the patient obtained penicillin
- The type of reaction the patient experienced (Correct answer)
- The year the patient was last treated with penicillin
- The name of the provider who prescribed penicillin
Correct answer: The type of reaction the patient experienced
Documenting the type of allergic reaction (e.g., rash, anaphylaxis) helps providers assess severity and choose safe alternatives.
Question 5: A medical assistant is asked to perform a venipuncture on a patient who has had a mastectomy on the left side. Where should the blood draw be performed?
- Left antecubital fossa for convenience
- Either arm since mastectomy has no effect on veins
- Right arm to avoid the affected side (Correct answer)
- Foot vein as an alternative site
Correct answer: Right arm to avoid the affected side
Venipuncture should be avoided on the same side as a mastectomy due to risk of lymphedema and impaired circulation.
Question 6: Which of the following is the correct order for putting on (donning) PPE when entering an isolation room?
- Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
- Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask, gloves, gown, eye protection
- Eye protection, gloves, gown, mask
Correct answer: Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
The CDC recommends donning PPE in the order: gown first, then mask/respirator, eye protection, and finally gloves.
Question 7: A patient with diabetes presents with cool, clammy skin, shakiness, and confusion. The medical assistant suspects hypoglycemia. Which immediate action is appropriate if the patient is conscious and able to swallow?
- Administer insulin as directed by the provider
- Give 15–20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates (e.g., juice) (Correct answer)
- Apply ice packs to the patient's neck and wrists
- Have the patient lie flat and monitor for 30 minutes
Correct answer: Give 15–20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates (e.g., juice)
The 15-15 rule for mild hypoglycemia: give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrates and recheck glucose in 15 minutes.
NHI Patient Care & Medical Assisting Techniques 5
A patient experiences syncope (fainting) in the waiting room.
After calling for help, the first action the medical assistant should take is: