NHANOW Practice Questions for Medical Assistants

Questions and Answers

What should you inform the MD about?

the situation

What should the MA do when there is no dose listed on the MD order for a subcutaneous allergy injection?

Give the exact dose of medication to patient that he received at the last visit

Give the standard dose of allergy medications

Ask the nurse the correct dose of medication

Call the provider and verify the order (correct)

If a patient reports that a mole has doubled in size over a month, how should the MA refer to this?

Atrophy

Acrochordon

Polyp

Metastasis (correct)

A patient that has not experienced a menstrual cycle in 3 months has what condition?

Amenorrhea Signup and view all the answers

What position should a patient with shortness of breath and abdominal pain be placed in?

Fowler's position Signup and view all the answers

Where should EKG electrodes be placed on a patient who has had a left leg amputation?

Place both on the lower torso Signup and view all the answers

If a patient presents with an increased amount of serious fluid and gas in the pericardium, which physician should they see?

Cardiologist Signup and view all the answers

What are the phlebotomy duties of a MA?

Performing venipuncture Signup and view all the answers

When obtaining the patient's heart rate using the R-R ratio, the MA knows that the heart rate would be _____ if there are 20 small boxes?

75 BPM Signup and view all the answers

When using the R-R ratio to obtain a patient's heart rate, the MA knows that if there are 37 small boxes, the heart rate is?

40 BPM Signup and view all the answers

1 kg = how many pounds?

2.2 lbs Signup and view all the answers

1 pound = how many kg?

0.45 kg Signup and view all the answers

1 tablespoon = how many ml & teaspoons?

15 ml & 3 teaspoons Signup and view all the answers

3 teaspoons = how many ml?

15 ml Signup and view all the answers

5 ml = how many teaspoons?

1 teaspoon Signup and view all the answers

An 8 year old child that presents with ST segment elevation on the EKG tracing may require?

a right side EKG Signup and view all the answers

The biohazard containers should be what color?

red Signup and view all the answers

These containers are intended to provide communication to workers regarding chemicals used in their office.

True Signup and view all the answers

The AV node has a firing rate of?

40-60 BPM Signup and view all the answers

The AV node is located on the floor of the ____?

right atrium Signup and view all the answers

The best way to obtain the heart rate of a patient while reading an EKG is?

count the small boxes between the R waves and divide by 1500 Signup and view all the answers

Blood cultures are primarily used to check for the presence of what?

Bacteria Signup and view all the answers

Blood drawing tube order?

Sally - Sterile & blood culture specimens(yellow), Brings - Blue, Really - Red, Good - Gold, Grease (and) - Green, Leaves (the) - Lavender, Gravy - Gray Signup and view all the answers

Blood pressure that indicates a hypertensive crisis?

systolic > 190 Signup and view all the answers

The blue top blood collection tube contains?

Citrate Signup and view all the answers

The BMI of 31 is considered?

overweight Signup and view all the answers

What is CLIA waived test?

Urine HCG Signup and view all the answers

A collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung (the pleural cavity)?

Hemothorax Signup and view all the answers

Common side effect of the drug metoprolol?

Hypotension - low blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

The compression rate for CPR is?

100 per minute Signup and view all the answers

The correct way to obtain a patient's BMI is to obtain their?

Height and weight Signup and view all the answers

The destruction of all pathogenic microorganisms?

Asepsis Signup and view all the answers

During a visit to the dermatology office, a patient reports that a mole is growing very rapidly. The MA refers to this as?

Metastasis Signup and view all the answers

Each small square on the EKG paper represents a time interval of ____ seconds?

0.04 seconds Signup and view all the answers

EDTA can be found in a?

Purple top tube Signup and view all the answers

Medical term that means excessive urination during the night?

Nocturia Signup and view all the answers

The first impulse that is recorded on the graph paper and represents atrial depolarization?

P wave Signup and view all the answers

The first step that the MA should take when passing medications?

Ensure patient identity Signup and view all the answers

The first thing an MA should do when she realizes the patient is in ventricular fibrillation is?

Call for help Signup and view all the answers

The ground lead on a 3 lead EKG should be placed on the ___?

Left abdomen Signup and view all the answers

Hemoglobin for a female?

12 to 16 gm/dL Signup and view all the answers

How should a MA collect a urine sample when a urine C&S has been ordered?

Clean catch Signup and view all the answers

If a patient becomes upset, refuses all medical care and leaves the office, the MA knows to?

Chart the details of the event in the patient's chart or medical record Signup and view all the answers

If a patient has a distance vision of 20/50, it means?

He can see at 20 feet what others can see at 50 feet Signup and view all the answers

If a patient has missed 3 periods it is referred to as?

Amenorrhea Signup and view all the answers

If a patient is a victim of domestic violence and does not speak English, what should the MA do to ensure that the patient understands the instructions?

Enlist the aid of an interpreter from the medical office Signup and view all the answers

If a patient is having somatic tremors while obtaining an EKG, the MA should?

Cover with a blanket Signup and view all the answers

If the MA is performing an EKG on a patient in the fetal position, she knows to?

Make a notation of the patient's position Signup and view all the answers

If the MA notices a PVC on a standard EKG, the concern would be?

the ST segment elevation Signup and view all the answers

If the MA notices that a sterile field has been contaminated she knows that she should?

Break down field and start over Signup and view all the answers

If the MA should splash blood in her eyes, she knows that the eyes should be flushed with warm water for?

20 min Signup and view all the answers

If the provider is 1 hour behind schedule, the MA should?

Allow patients to reschedule their appointments if desired Signup and view all the answers

In the word neuropathy, what part of the word indicates the disease?

Suffix Signup and view all the answers

Infant screening cards test?

O2 levels, bilirubin, and DNA Signup and view all the answers

Informed consent must be obtained when the MA:

Gives an influenza vaccination Signup and view all the answers

An intramuscular injection is given at a?

90 degree angle Signup and view all the answers

Ishihara?

color vision test Signup and view all the answers

True or False: It is the provider's responsibility to explain all of the pre-op and post-op care to the patient.

False Signup and view all the answers

The J point on an EKG occurs at the end of the ____ complex and the start of the ST segment?

QRS complex Signup and view all the answers

Lab value that should be reported immediately?

blood glucose of 500 mg/dL Signup and view all the answers

Lowest temperature recorded on a patient is @ what time?

4AM Signup and view all the answers

The MA finds an unconscious patient. The first thing that should be done is?

Check pulse Signup and view all the answers

The MA has attempted to draw blood on a patient with small, fragile veins and has missed twice. The next step is to?

Ask another MA to draw the blood Signup and view all the answers

The MA has received a duplicate order for blood testing on a patient. The next step should be to?

Call the provider and verify the order before drawing the blood Signup and view all the answers

The MA knows that she was instructed to re-draw a lipid profile because the blood was sent to the lab in a ______ tube?

Any of the above tubes Signup and view all the answers

The MA knows that the spirometer test measures?

The amount of air leaving the lungs and the rate it is exhaled Signup and view all the answers

The MA knows that when administering an intradermal injection, the syringe should be held?

15 degree angle with no aspiration Signup and view all the answers

The MA knows that when drawing an A1C blood test that the sample should be placed in what color tube?

Purple/lavender Signup and view all the answers

The MA knows that when giving purified protein derivative, the dose of medication given is?

0.1 ml Signup and view all the answers

The MA knows that when instructing a patient to collect a urine sample for a pregnancy test that the urine should be collected?

The first morning urine Signup and view all the answers

The MA knows that when measuring an infant from head to heel that the infant should be in the ____ position?

Supine Signup and view all the answers

The MA knows that when placing the Holter monitor on a patient that the black lead is placed?

Lower left abdomen Signup and view all the answers

The MA knows to place a patient in this position before a pelvic exam?

Lithotomy Signup and view all the answers

The MA knows to place a patient with shortness of breath and abdominal pain in this position?

Fowlers Signup and view all the answers

The MA knows to place the chart in this position for a patient with severe hypotension?

Trendelenberg Signup and view all the answers

The MA needs to measure an infant from the head to heels. Name the position that the infant should be in to obtain this goal?

Supine Signup and view all the answers

The MA notices that the provider is using unsanitary instruments. She should report her findings to:

OSHA Signup and view all the answers

The MA notices while performing an EKG that there is a significant elevation in the ST segment. The MA is aware that the patient may be experiencing?

Myocardial infarction Signup and view all the answers

The MA should do this first when confronted with a fire?

Crawl to the exit Signup and view all the answers

A medication that is delivered in an injection means the patient received the medication:

Parenteral Signup and view all the answers

A method for screening patients for defects in distinguishing color vision acuity?

Ishihara Signup and view all the answers

The method that will kill both microorganisms and spores?

Sterilization Signup and view all the answers

The mother of a 16 year old female wants to speak with the provider regarding why he prescribed birth control pills to her daughter. The MA should?

Tell the mother that she should discuss this matter with her daughter Signup and view all the answers

Name the artery that is used to obtain a manual blood pressure?

brachial Signup and view all the answers

Near vision acuity is held how far away from the patient?

15 in Signup and view all the answers

Normal adult temperature is?

36.4 - 36.7 C Signup and view all the answers

A normal potassium level for an adult patient?

3.5-5 meq Signup and view all the answers

The normal sodium level for an adult patient?

135-145 meq Signup and view all the answers

Order of vital signs obtained after a patient has smoked a cigarette?

pulse, respiration, B/P, temperature Signup and view all the answers

OSHA requirements state that all blood/body fluids specimens be sent in what type of container?

Biohazard container Signup and view all the answers

OSHA training is provided ___

At no cost to the employer Signup and view all the answers

The P wave indicates?

Atrial depolarization Signup and view all the answers

The P wave represents depolarization of the?

right and left atria Signup and view all the answers

Palpatory method to obtain blood pressure, MA inflates cuff to?

30 mmHg above the cessation of a radial pulse Signup and view all the answers

A patient complaining of dizziness and light headed might be placed in this position:

Trendelenberg Signup and view all the answers

A patient is angry and complaining about their bill. The MA knows to?

Listen to the patient and attempt to help with their billing issue Signup and view all the answers

A patient is complaining of right side flank pain, pain with urination and nausea/vomiting. The MA should consider that the patient is suffering from a?

Nephrolithiasis Signup and view all the answers

A patient presents in the office and is very upset about his bill. The MA should:

Attempt to help patient with his questions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cardiac and Vital Signs

R-R ratio: 20 small boxes = 75 BPM; 37 small boxes = 40 BPM
AV node firing rate: 40-60 BPM, located in right atrium
Heart rate calculation: count small boxes between R waves, then divide by 1500
Blood pressure > 190 systolic indicates hypertensive crisis
First impulse on EKG (P wave) signifies atrial depolarization
CPR compression rate: 100 per minute

Blood Collection and Testing

Blood culture tests primarily for bacteria presence
Laboratory tube order mnemonic: Sally brings really good grease leaves gravy (Sterile, Blue, Red, Gold, Green, Lavender, Gray)
Blue top tube contains citrate; EDTA found in purple top tube
A1C blood test requires a purple/lavender tube
Clean catch method preferred for urine C&S tests

Patient Assessment and Communication

Blood pressure measured using the brachial artery
Near vision acuity assessed at 15 inches away from the patient
For distance vision of 20/50, patient sees at 20 feet what others see at 50 feet
Patients with shortness of breath should be seated in Fowler’s position
Chart details if a patient leaves against medical advice

Medical Terminology and Conditions

Nocturia: excessive urination at night; amenorrhea: missed periods; nephrolithiasis: kidney stones
Somatic tremors during EKG can be minimized by covering the patient with a blanket
Hemothorax: collection of blood in pleural space
Metastasis is indicated by rapid mole growth

Handling Emergencies and Safety

In case of unconscious patient, check for pulse first
Fire procedure: crawl to the exit
Protocol if contaminated sterile field: break it down and start over
Flush eyes with water for 20 minutes if blood splashes occur

Medication Administration

Informed consent is required before administering vaccinations
Intramuscular injections are given at a 90-degree angle

Regulatory Compliance and Workplace Safety

OSHA mandates that blood/body fluid specimens be sent in biohazard containers
OSHA training provided without cost to employers; frequency based on need

Pediatric and Special Considerations

For infant measurements, position the infant in supine
Monitor positioning for patients with special needs, like limb amputations

Miscellaneous Facts

Normal adult temperature range: 36.4 - 36.7 C
Normal potassium and sodium levels: 3.5-5 meq and 135-145 meq respectively
EKG significant ST segment elevation may indicate myocardial infarction
Report severe lab values immediately, such as blood glucose of 500 mg/dL

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Description

Test your knowledge on calculating heart rates using the R-R ratio with these NHANOW practice questions. Ideal for aspiring Medical Assistants, this quiz helps reinforce the concepts necessary for patient assessments. Each question will challenge your understanding of EKG interpretation and heart rate calculations.