Practice Test Geeks(NRCMA) Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant Practice Test
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Patient Intake Flashcards

7 cards from real NRCMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Patient Intake flashcards as text

  1. Which pulse site is most commonly used during routine patient intake?

    Answer: Radial artery at the wrist

    The radial pulse at the wrist is the standard site for routine pulse assessment during patient intake due to accessibility and patient comfort.

  2. A patient is unable to speak English and no interpreter is present. The BEST action for the medical assistant is to:

    Answer: Use a qualified medical interpreter service or telephone interpretation line

    Qualified medical interpreters are required under federal law (Title VI) to ensure accurate communication and patient safety.

  3. When reviewing a patient's social history during intake, which of the following should the medical assistant document?

    Answer: Tobacco use, alcohol use, recreational drug use, and occupation

    Social history includes substance use, occupation, and lifestyle factors that directly affect diagnosis and treatment planning.

  4. A patient's oxygen saturation (SpO2) reads 91% on pulse oximetry. The medical assistant should:

    Answer: Notify the provider immediately as this is below the normal range

    Normal SpO2 is 95–100%; a reading of 91% is below normal and requires immediate provider notification.

  5. During patient intake, the medical assistant asks about the patient's surgical history. The patient mentions an appendectomy 'years ago.' The medical assistant should:

    Answer: Document the procedure and ask for any additional details the patient can recall, such as approximate year

    Past surgical history should be documented with as much detail as available, including approximate dates, as it informs current clinical care.

  6. The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires that a patient's protected health information (PHI) collected during intake be:

    Answer: Used only for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without additional authorization

    HIPAA permits use of PHI for treatment, payment, and operations (TPO) without patient authorization; all other disclosures require consent.

  7. Which respiratory rate is within the normal adult range and would be documented as such during intake?

    Answer: 16 breaths per minute

    Normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute; 16 falls within this range.

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  1. nahpusa.com — Test delivery, eligibility, fees, exam format, retake fee, score release, time limit, score validity, passing score · verified Oct 2026