Certified Medical Assistant MCQ Flashcards

A physician orders 'NPO after midnight.' What does this instruction mean for the patient?

Answer: Nothing by mouth after midnight

NPO is a Latin abbreviation for 'nil per os,' meaning the patient should not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Which of the following describes the supine position?

Answer: Patient lying on their back, face up

The supine position means the patient is lying flat on their back with face facing upward.

The suffix '-ectomy' in a medical term means:

Answer: Surgical removal of

The suffix '-ectomy' means surgical excision or removal, as in appendectomy (removal of the appendix).

Which body system is primarily responsible for gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide)?

Answer: Respiratory system

The respiratory system, via the lungs and alveoli, performs gas exchange between air and blood.

When scheduling a patient for a fasting lipid panel, the medical assistant should instruct the patient to fast for:

Answer: 9-12 hours

A 9-12 hour fast is required before a lipid panel to ensure accurate triglyceride measurements.

A patient's chart shows an allergy to penicillin documented as 'anaphylaxis.' The provider orders amoxicillin. The medical assistant should:

Answer: Alert the provider immediately before filling the prescription

Amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibiotic, so the medical assistant must alert the provider to the cross-reactive allergy before dispensing.

What is the normal adult respiratory rate at rest?

Answer: 12-20 breaths per minute

A normal adult respiratory rate at rest is 12-20 breaths per minute.