SCMA Specialty Certified Medical Assistant 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A specialty MA is assisting with an EKG and notices lead II shows a flat line while other leads appear normal. What is the most likely cause?
- Patient is in cardiac arrest
- Lead II electrode has become detached (Correct answer)
- The machine is malfunctioning
- Patient moved during recording
Correct answer: Lead II electrode has become detached
A single flat lead while others record normally indicates a detached or poorly connected electrode for that specific lead.
Question 2: When preparing a patient for a colonoscopy, the specialty MA instructs them on bowel prep. Which medication class is most commonly used for this preparation?
- Antidiarrheals
- Osmotic laxatives (Correct answer)
- Stimulant laxatives
- Stool softeners
Correct answer: Osmotic laxatives
Osmotic laxatives such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions are the standard bowel prep agents used before colonoscopy.
Question 3: A patient with diabetes presents for a podiatry visit. The specialty MA notes a grade 2 Wagner wound on the foot. This classification indicates:
- Superficial ulcer without infection
- Deep ulcer to tendon, bone, or joint (Correct answer)
- Partial foot gangrene
- Complete foot gangrene
Correct answer: Deep ulcer to tendon, bone, or joint
The Wagner Grade 2 foot ulcer classification describes a deep ulcer penetrating to tendons, capsule, or bone without osteomyelitis.
Question 4: In an ophthalmology practice, a specialty MA performs a visual acuity test. A patient reads 20/40 on the Snellen chart. This means the patient can see at 20 feet what a normal person sees at:
- 20 feet
- 10 feet
- 40 feet (Correct answer)
- 80 feet
Correct answer: 40 feet
20/40 means the patient must be 20 feet away to see what a person with normal vision sees at 40 feet.
Question 5: A specialty MA working in a cardiology office prepares a patient for a Holter monitor. How long is a standard Holter monitor typically worn?
- 6 hours
- 12 hours
- 24–48 hours (Correct answer)
- 1 week
Correct answer: 24–48 hours
A standard Holter monitor is worn for 24 to 48 hours to capture continuous cardiac rhythm data during normal daily activities.
Question 6: During a pulmonology visit, spirometry results show an FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.70 post-bronchodilator. This pattern is consistent with:
- Restrictive lung disease
- Obstructive lung disease (Correct answer)
- Normal lung function
- Mixed ventilatory defect
Correct answer: Obstructive lung disease
A post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.70 confirms obstructive lung disease such as COPD or asthma.
Question 7: A specialty MA in an orthopedic office is documenting range of motion for a patient's shoulder. Normal abduction of the shoulder is approximately:
- 90 degrees
- 120 degrees
- 150 degrees
- 180 degrees (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 180 degrees
Normal shoulder abduction is approximately 180 degrees, allowing the arm to raise fully overhead.
SCMA Specialty Certified Medical Assistant 2
A specialty MA is assisting with an EKG and notices lead II shows a flat line while other leads appear normal.
What is the most likely cause?