SCMA Specialty Certified Medical Assistant 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A specialty MA in a rheumatology clinic reviews lab results for a patient suspected of having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Which antibody is most specific for SLE?
- Anti-CCP antibody
- Anti-dsDNA antibody (Correct answer)
- Rheumatoid factor
- Anti-SSA (Ro) antibody
Correct answer: Anti-dsDNA antibody
Anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies are highly specific for SLE and correlate with disease activity and lupus nephritis.
Question 2: In an allergy/immunology practice, a patient undergoes subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots). After administering the injection, the patient should be observed for a minimum of:
- 5 minutes
- 10 minutes
- 20–30 minutes (Correct answer)
- 60 minutes
Correct answer: 20–30 minutes
ACAAI guidelines require a 20–30 minute observation period after allergen immunotherapy injections to monitor for anaphylaxis.
Question 3: A specialty MA assists with a flexible cystoscopy in a urology office. Which solution is used to irrigate and distend the bladder during this procedure?
- Sterile water
- Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) (Correct answer)
- Lactated Ringer's solution
- Glycine solution
Correct answer: Normal saline (0.9% NaCl)
Sterile normal saline is the standard irrigant for flexible cystoscopy as it is isotonic and does not interfere with electrolyte balance.
Question 4: During a sleep study (polysomnography) setup, the specialty MA applies electrodes to monitor sleep stages. EEG electrode placement for polysomnography follows which system?
- The Mason-Likar system
- The International 10-20 system (Correct answer)
- The Wilson central terminal
- The Cabrera sequence
Correct answer: The International 10-20 system
The International 10-20 electrode placement system is used for EEG during polysomnography to standardize sleep stage scoring.
Question 5: A specialty MA in a hematology/oncology clinic notes that a patient's ANC (absolute neutrophil count) is 400 cells/μL. This indicates:
- Normal immune function
- Mild neutropenia
- Severe neutropenia requiring neutropenic precautions (Correct answer)
- Neutrophilia
Correct answer: Severe neutropenia requiring neutropenic precautions
An ANC below 500 cells/μL is classified as severe neutropenia, requiring infection-prevention precautions such as a neutropenic diet and visitor restrictions.
Question 6: When working in an orthopedic surgery center, a specialty MA is setting up for a shoulder arthroscopy. The most common patient positioning for this procedure is:
- Supine with arm on armboard
- Lateral decubitus or beach chair position (Correct answer)
- Prone with arms at sides
- Trendelenburg position
Correct answer: Lateral decubitus or beach chair position
Shoulder arthroscopy is performed most commonly in either the lateral decubitus or beach chair (semi-sitting) position to provide access to the joint.
Question 7: A specialty MA in a cardiovascular office is scheduling a stress echocardiogram. A patient cannot exercise adequately on a treadmill. What pharmacological agent is commonly used as an alternative stressor?
- Adenosine
- Dobutamine (Correct answer)
- Atropine
- Dipyridamole
Correct answer: Dobutamine
Dobutamine is the preferred pharmacological stressor for stress echocardiography because it increases heart rate and contractility, mimicking exercise.
SCMA Specialty Certified Medical Assistant 4
A specialty MA in a rheumatology clinic reviews lab results for a patient suspected of having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Which antibody is most specific for SLE?