Question 1

When is the auscultatory gap heard in some patients?

Accepted Answer

A) Between phases IV and V 
B) Between phases III and IV or V 
C) Between phases I and II or III 
D) Between phases II, III, and IV 
A) Between phases IV and V 
B) Between phases III and IV or V 
C) Between phases I and II or III 
D) Between phases II, III, and IV C

Question 2

Which of the following phases of Korotkoff's sounds is noted when the cuff deflates and the sounds are muffled and fading.

Accepted Answer

A) I 
B) II 
C) III 
D) IV 
E) V 
A) I 
B) II 
C) III 
D) IV 
E) V D

Question 3

Match the definition with the appropriate process.

-radiation

Accepted Answer

A)  heat loss from the skin through air currents passing over it, such as a fan 
B)  heat loss through normal body functions such as respiration 
C)  heat loss through the skin to surrounding cooler objects such as clothing 
D)  heat loss from the skin to surrounding cooler environments 
E)  heat loss using heat absorption by vaporizing perspiration 
A)  heat loss from the skin through air currents passing over it, such as a fan 
B)  heat loss through normal body functions such as respiration 
C)  heat loss through the skin to surrounding cooler objects such as clothing 
D)  heat loss from the skin to surrounding cooler environments 
E)  heat loss using heat absorption by vaporizing perspiration D

Question 4

Match the definition with the appropriate process.

-convection

Accepted Answer

A)  heat loss from the skin through air currents passing over it, such as a fan 
B)  heat loss through normal body functions such as respiration 
C)  heat loss through the skin to surrounding cooler objects such as clothing 
D)  heat loss from the skin to surrounding cooler environments 
E)  heat loss using heat absorption by vaporizing perspiration 
A)  heat loss from the skin through air currents passing over it, such as a fan 
B)  heat loss through normal body functions such as respiration 
C)  heat loss through the skin to surrounding cooler objects such as clothing 
D)  heat loss from the skin to surrounding cooler environments 
E)  heat loss using heat absorption by vaporizing perspiration

Question 5

Which of the following is the most important action when taking an oral temperature using a digital thermometer?

Accepted Answer

A) Instruct the patient to leave the mouth slightly open. 
B) Ask the patient to rinse the mouth with tepid water. 
C) Cover the thermometer with a sheath. 
D) Use a probe that has been disinfected. 
A) Instruct the patient to leave the mouth slightly open. 
B) Ask the patient to rinse the mouth with tepid water. 
C) Cover the thermometer with a sheath. 
D) Use a probe that has been disinfected.

Question 6

Where should the stethoscope be placed when taking an apical pulse?

Accepted Answer

A) Posterior portion of the heart 
B) Fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line 
C) Fourth intercostal space at the midclavicular line 
D) Fifth intercostal space at the midsternal line 
E) Fourth intercostal space at the midaxillary line 
A) Posterior portion of the heart 
B) Fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line 
C) Fourth intercostal space at the midclavicular line 
D) Fifth intercostal space at the midsternal line 
E) Fourth intercostal space at the midaxillary line

Question 7

Match the definition with the appropriate process.

-elimination

Accepted Answer

A)  heat loss from the skin through air currents passing over it, such as a fan 
B)  heat loss through normal body functions such as respiration 
C)  heat loss through the skin to surrounding cooler objects such as clothing 
D)  heat loss from the skin to surrounding cooler environments 
E)  heat loss using heat absorption by vaporizing perspiration 
A)  heat loss from the skin through air currents passing over it, such as a fan 
B)  heat loss through normal body functions such as respiration 
C)  heat loss through the skin to surrounding cooler objects such as clothing 
D)  heat loss from the skin to surrounding cooler environments 
E)  heat loss using heat absorption by vaporizing perspiration

Question 8

Which of the following is the most important action when taking a rectal temperature?

Accepted Answer

A) Position the patient in a prone position. 
B) Do not use a sheath. 
C) Apply lubricant for easy insertion. 
D) Insert the thermometer 1/2 to 1 inch for an adult. 
A) Position the patient in a prone position. 
B) Do not use a sheath. 
C) Apply lubricant for easy insertion. 
D) Insert the thermometer 1/2 to 1 inch for an adult.

Question 9

What is the rationale for securing the blood pressure cuff 1 inch above the elbow (antecubital fossa)?

Accepted Answer

A) Preventing hearing extraneous sounds 
B) Positioning cuff over all the biceps muscle 
C) Placing cuff too low on the arm will decrease blood pressure. 
D) Placing cuff too low on the arm will increase blood pressure. 
A) Preventing hearing extraneous sounds 
B) Positioning cuff over all the biceps muscle 
C) Placing cuff too low on the arm will decrease blood pressure. 
D) Placing cuff too low on the arm will increase blood pressure.

Question 10

Temporal thermometers should be cleaned between patients by which method?

Accepted Answer

A) Bleach 
B) Alcohol 
C) Hydrogen peroxide 
D) Betadine® 
A) Bleach 
B) Alcohol 
C) Hydrogen peroxide 
D) Betadine®

Question 11

Which of the following is the average normal adult oral temperature in Celsius?

Accepted Answer

A) 36.2°C 
B) 36.4°C 
C) 37.0°C 
D) 37.5°C 
E) 36.8°C 
A) 36.2°C 
B) 36.4°C 
C) 37.0°C 
D) 37.5°C 
E) 36.8°C

Question 12

Which of the following vital signs assessments is not in a normal range for adults?

Accepted Answer

A) BP 100/60 
B) T 98-99 F 
C) P 100/bpm 
D) R 12-16/min 
A) BP 100/60 
B) T 98-99 F 
C) P 100/bpm 
D) R 12-16/min

Question 13

Which of the following best describes a pulse rate with bradycardia?

Accepted Answer

A) 120 beats per minute 
B) 100 beats per minute 
C) 40 beats per minute 
D) 72 beats per minute 
E) 200 beats per minute 
A) 120 beats per minute 
B) 100 beats per minute 
C) 40 beats per minute 
D) 72 beats per minute 
E) 200 beats per minute

Question 14

Which of the following best describes how to prevent patient cross-contamination when using electronic thermometers?

Accepted Answer

A) Clean with cold water. 
B) Soak in disinfectant for 20 minutes. 
C) Use a disposable plastic sheath. 
D) Store in a dry closed container. 
E) Clean in soap and hot water. 
A) Clean with cold water. 
B) Soak in disinfectant for 20 minutes. 
C) Use a disposable plastic sheath. 
D) Store in a dry closed container. 
E) Clean in soap and hot water.

Question 15

Which of the following terms means "low blood pressure"?

Accepted Answer

A) Vasodilation 
B) Asystole 
C) Hypertension 
D) Hypotension 
E) Diastole 
A) Vasodilation 
B) Asystole 
C) Hypertension 
D) Hypotension 
E) Diastole

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the effect on a blood pressure if a cuff that is too large is used?

Accepted Answer

A) Has no effect on pressure reading 
B) Gives an artificially high reading 
C) Gives an artificially low reading 
D) Makes reading quieter 
A) Has no effect on pressure reading 
B) Gives an artificially high reading 
C) Gives an artificially low reading 
D) Makes reading quieter

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT considered a characteristic of pulse to be documented in assessment?

Accepted Answer

A) Volume 
B) Rate 
C) Rhythm 
D) Expansion 
A) Volume 
B) Rate 
C) Rhythm 
D) Expansion

Question 18

What type of thermometer is used to measure the temperature of the skin surface over an artery?

Accepted Answer

A) Temporal 
B) Tympanic 
C) Axillary 
D) Rectal 
A) Temporal 
B) Tympanic 
C) Axillary 
D) Rectal

Question 19

Which of the following terms is used to denote the force exerted on the arterial walls during cardiac contraction?

Accepted Answer

A) Diastole 
B) Asystole 
C) Systole 
D) Hyperbole 
A) Diastole 
B) Asystole 
C) Systole 
D) Hyperbole

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a recommended alternative type to replace mercury thermometers for use in the health care setting?

Accepted Answer

A) Digital 
B) Electronic 
C) Paper 
D) Tympanic 
A) Digital 
B) Electronic 
C) Paper 
D) Tympanic

Exam 23: Vital Signs and Measurements

When is the auscultatory gap heard in some patients?

Which of the following phases of Korotkoff's sounds is noted when the cuff deflates and the sounds are muffled and fading.

Match the definition with the appropriate process. -radiation

Match the definition with the appropriate process. -convection

Which of the following is the most important action when taking an oral temperature using a digital thermometer?

Where should the stethoscope be placed when taking an apical pulse?

Match the definition with the appropriate process. -elimination

Which of the following is the most important action when taking a rectal temperature?

What is the rationale for securing the blood pressure cuff 1 inch above the elbow (antecubital fossa)?

Temporal thermometers should be cleaned between patients by which method?

Which of the following is the average normal adult oral temperature in Celsius?

Which of the following vital signs assessments is not in a normal range for adults?

Which of the following best describes a pulse rate with bradycardia?

Which of the following best describes how to prevent patient cross-contamination when using electronic thermometers?

Which of the following terms means "low blood pressure"?

Which of the following best describes the effect on a blood pressure if a cuff that is too large is used?

Which of the following is NOT considered a characteristic of pulse to be documented in assessment?

What type of thermometer is used to measure the temperature of the skin surface over an artery?

Which of the following terms is used to denote the force exerted on the arterial walls during cardiac contraction?

Which of the following is NOT a recommended alternative type to replace mercury thermometers for use in the health care setting?

The Medical Assisting Profession

Health Care Settings and the Health Care Team

Coping Skills for the Medical Assistant

Therapeutic Communication Skills

The Therapeutic Approach to the Patient With a Life-Threatening Illness

Legal Considerations

Ethical Considerations

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

Creating the Facility Environment

Computers in the Medical Clinic

Telecommunications

Patient Scheduling

Medical Records Management

Written Communications

Medical Documents

Medical Insurance

Medical Coding

Daily Financial Practices

Billing and Collections

Accounting Practices

Infection Control and Medical Asepsis

The Patient History and Documentation

The Physical Examination

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Pediatrics

Male Reproductive System

Gerontology

Examinations and Procedures of Body Systems

Assisting With Minor Surgery

Diagnostic Imaging

Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Modalities

Nutrition in Health and Disease

Basic Pharmacology

Calculation of Medication Dosage and Medication Administration

Cardiac Procedures

Regulatory Guidelines for Safety and Quality in the Medical Laboratory

Introduction to the Medical Laboratory

Phlebotomy: Venipuncture and Capillary Puncture

Hematology

Urinalysis

Basic Microbiology

Speciality Laboratory Tests

The Medical Assistant As Clinic Manager

The Medical Assistant As Human Resources Manager

Preparing for Medical Assisting Credentials

Employment Strategies

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