NRCMA Patient Intake 2

Question 1

A patient arrives and states they are allergic to penicillin. What is the medical assistant's BEST next step?

Accepted Answer

Document the allergy in the patient's chart and alert the provider

Answer

Tell the patient to remind the provider themselves

Answer

Only document if the patient has had a reaction in the past year

Answer

Record it in the visit notes but not the allergy section

Question 2

When measuring a patient's weight during intake, the medical assistant should ask the patient to:

Accepted Answer

Remove shoes and heavy outerwear before stepping on the scale

Answer

Keep all clothing on for consistency between visits

Answer

Weigh themselves and report the number

Answer

Step on the scale immediately upon arrival without any preparation

Question 3

A patient's chief complaint is recorded as 'chest pain.' The medical assistant should:

Accepted Answer

Document the complaint using the patient's own words and notify the provider promptly

Answer

Diagnose the cause and document accordingly

Answer

Ask the patient to wait until the provider is available before documenting

Answer

Only document if the pain is rated 7 or higher on the pain scale

Question 4

Which of the following is the correct method for taking an oral temperature?

Accepted Answer

Place the thermometer under the tongue and ask the patient to close their lips

Answer

Place the thermometer under the tongue with the mouth open

Answer

Place the thermometer between the cheek and gum

Answer

Ask the patient to hold the thermometer in their hand for 60 seconds

Question 5

A patient states their last menstrual period (LMP) was six weeks ago. This information is MOST important to communicate to the provider because:

Accepted Answer

It may indicate pregnancy, affecting medication choices and testing

Answer

It is standard demographic information with no clinical significance

Answer

It is only relevant if the patient is over 40 years old

Answer

It determines which insurance plan the patient should use

Question 6

When documenting a patient's medication list during intake, the medical assistant should record:

Accepted Answer

Prescription medications, OTC medications, vitamins, and supplements

Answer

Only prescription medications prescribed by this practice

Answer

Only medications taken daily, not as-needed medications

Answer

Medications the patient takes more than once per day

Question 7

A patient's blood pressure reads 158/96 mmHg during intake. The medical assistant should:

Accepted Answer

Document the reading, recheck per protocol, and notify the provider

Answer

Ignore it and let the provider take a new reading during the exam

Answer

Tell the patient their blood pressure is dangerously high and call 911

Answer

Only notify the provider if the reading exceeds 180/110 mmHg