Free practice test

Medical Assistant Practice Test

Check what you know about the medical assistant job with 15 free questions and instant explanations.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
About this practice test

15 multiple-choice questions on medical assistant knowledge, safety and vocabulary. Submit to see your score and explanations, or open any question’s answer as you go. Nothing is saved or shared.

Question 1 of 15A blood pressure cuff is too small for the patient’s arm. What is the likely effect?
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Answer: A falsely high reading. A cuff that is too small usually produces a falsely high reading, which is why correct cuff size matters.

Question 2 of 15Which two identifiers are commonly used to confirm a patient’s identity?
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Answer: Name and date of birth. Full name and date of birth are the standard pair of identifiers.

Question 3 of 15What should you do with a used needle immediately after an injection?
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Answer: Activate the safety device and drop it in a sharps container. Never recap, bend or set down a used needle. Engage the safety and dispose of it at the point of use.

Question 4 of 15HIPAA mainly protects:
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Answer: Patient health information. HIPAA sets national standards for the privacy and security of protected health information.

Question 5 of 15The first clear tapping sound heard while deflating a blood pressure cuff marks the:
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Answer: Systolic pressure. The first Korotkoff sound marks systolic pressure; the point where sounds disappear marks diastolic.

Question 6 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Practices that prevent contamination by microorganisms during procedures.”
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Answer: Aseptic technique. Aseptic technique: Practices that prevent contamination by microorganisms during procedures.

Question 7 of 15What does “Prior authorization” mean?
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Answer: Approval an insurer requires before it will cover certain services or medications.. Prior authorization: Approval an insurer requires before it will cover certain services or medications.

Question 8 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Infection-control practices used with every patient, such as hand hygiene and gloves.”
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Answer: Standard precautions. Standard precautions: Infection-control practices used with every patient, such as hand hygiene and gloves.

Question 9 of 15What does “Chief complaint (CC)” mean?
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Answer: The main reason the patient is being seen, recorded in the patient’s own words when possible.. Chief complaint (CC): The main reason the patient is being seen, recorded in the patient’s own words when possible.

Question 10 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Core measurements of body function: temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure, often plus oxygen saturation and pain level.”
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Answer: Vital signs. Vital signs: Core measurements of body function: temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure, often plus oxygen saturation and pain level.

Question 11 of 15What does “Triage” mean?
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Answer: Sorting patients by urgency so the most serious needs are handled first.. Triage: Sorting patients by urgency so the most serious needs are handled first.

Question 12 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Puncturing a vein to collect blood.”
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Answer: Venipuncture. Venipuncture: Puncturing a vein to collect blood.

Question 13 of 15What does “Subcutaneous (SubQ) injection” mean?
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Answer: A shot delivered into the fatty tissue just under the skin.. Subcutaneous (SubQ) injection: A shot delivered into the fatty tissue just under the skin.

Question 14 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Bringing a patient from the waiting area to an exam room and preparing them for the provider.”
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Answer: Rooming. Rooming: Bringing a patient from the waiting area to an exam room and preparing them for the provider.

Question 15 of 15What does “Point-of-care testing (POCT)” mean?
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Answer: Simple lab tests done in the clinic, such as glucose, rapid strep or urine dipstick.. Point-of-care testing (POCT): Simple lab tests done in the clinic, such as glucose, rapid strep or urine dipstick.

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