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. A new patient hands the medical assistant their insurance card. The medical assistant should:

    Answer: Make a copy or scan both sides of the card and attach it to the patient's record

    Scanning or copying both sides of the insurance card ensures all policy details, group numbers, and contact information are captured accurately.

  2. When using the OPQRST method to assess a patient's pain during intake, 'R' stands for:

    Answer: Radiation — whether the pain spreads to another location

    In OPQRST, R stands for Radiation, which describes whether the pain spreads to other areas of the body.

  3. A patient with a known latex allergy is being brought back for intake. The medical assistant should FIRST:

    Answer: Alert the care team and ensure latex-free supplies are used throughout the encounter

    Latex allergies can be life-threatening; immediate notification of the care team and use of latex-free supplies is mandatory.

  4. Which of the following is an example of a subjective finding documented during patient intake?

    Answer: The patient reports a headache rating 7/10 for the past two days

    Subjective data is what the patient reports; a self-rated headache is subjective, while measured vital signs are objective.

  5. A patient refuses to answer questions about substance use during intake. The medical assistant should:

    Answer: Respect the refusal, document that the patient declined to answer, and inform the provider

    Patients have the right to decline answering; the refusal should be documented so the provider is aware of the incomplete history.

  6. A patient's BMI is calculated at 32 during intake. This value falls into which category?

    Answer: Obese

    A BMI of 30 or above is classified as obese according to standard CDC/NIH guidelines.

  7. When rooming a patient, the medical assistant notices the patient appears short of breath and is using accessory muscles to breathe. The BEST action is to:

    Answer: Immediately notify the provider and stay with the patient

    Respiratory distress with accessory muscle use is a medical emergency requiring immediate provider notification while keeping the patient monitored.

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Sources & references

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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