NCMA Sample Questions & Answers
Clinical medical procedures make up well over half the test, far outweighing law and ethics, scheduling and records and other administrative duties, and the foundational pharmacology, anatomy, physiology and terminology questions.
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- Question 1Intermediate
Medical Administrative Duties · Answer, evaluate, and direct incoming calls to team members using effective telephone techniques
A new patient calls to schedule an appointment for a new-onset skin rash. The clinic's schedule is fully booked for the next two weeks. The patient sounds distressed and mentions the rash is spreading quickly. What is the medical assistant's most appropriate action?
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Correct answer: C
The medical assistant's scope of practice does not include medical triage. The correct procedure is to gather information about the patient's symptoms and forward the message to a licensed clinical professional who can assess the urgency and determine the appropriate next step, which may include a same-day appointment or a recommendation to seek emergency care.
- Question 2Beginner
Pharmacology and General Medical Knowledge · Understand the 'Rights' of medication use
True or False: According to the 'Rights of Medication Administration', checking the medication label three times is a recommended safety check, but the 'right documentation' is considered the final and most critical step that must occur immediately after administration.
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Correct answer: A
This statement is true. While all rights are critical, the act of documenting the medication administration immediately after giving it is the final safety check. It prevents another healthcare worker from mistakenly re-administering the same dose and creates an accurate legal record of the patient's care.
- Question 3Beginner
Medical Administrative Duties · Use Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes to bill for services
A medical assistant is tasked with using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes to bill for services. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of CPT codes?
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Correct answer: B
CPT codes are a standardized system used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures and services to insurance companies for reimbursement. They answer the question 'What did the provider do?'
- Question 4Beginner
Clinical Medical Procedures · Position the patient for an exam or procedure
A provider asks the medical assistant to place a patient in the Fowler's position for an examination. How should the medical assistant position the patient on the exam table?
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Correct answer: C
The Fowler's position involves the patient being in a semi-sitting position where the head of the bed is elevated. Semi-Fowler's is 30-45 degrees, Standard Fowler's is 45-60 degrees, and High Fowler's is 60-90 degrees. This position is commonly used for patients with respiratory or cardiovascular problems.
- Question 5Intermediate
Law and Ethics · Adhere to advance directives
A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's chart and sees a note that says 'Adhere to advance directives.' The patient has a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare on file. These documents primarily serve to:
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Correct answer: B
Advance directives are legal documents that allow individuals to state their preferences for medical treatment in the event they are unable to make decisions for themselves. A living will specifies desired treatments, while a durable power of attorney for healthcare appoints a person to make decisions on their behalf.
- Question 6AdvancedSelect 3
Clinical Medical Procedures · Perform CLIA-waived point of care testing (POCT)
A medical assistant is performing a CLIA-waived rapid strep test. Which of the following actions are essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the test results? (Select THREE)
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Correct answers: A, B, D
Quality control is a fundamental CLIA requirement to ensure that the test system is working correctly.
Improper storage can degrade the reagents and lead to inaccurate results. Adhering to storage requirements is crucial.
Using expired materials is a violation of good laboratory practice and can produce unreliable results.
- Question 7Intermediate
Clinical Medical Procedures · Demonstrate safe medication preparation, administration, and documentation
A provider has ordered an intramuscular (IM) injection of ceftriaxone for an adult patient. Which site is most commonly preferred for an IM injection in adults due to its muscle depth and distance from major nerves and blood vessels?
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Correct answer: B
The ventrogluteal site is considered the safest and most preferred for IM injections in adults. The muscle is deep and well-developed, and the site is free from major nerves and blood vessels, minimizing the risk of injury.
- Question 8Beginner
Clinical Medical Procedures · Implement cleansing, disinfection, and sterilization of exam rooms and equipment
A medical assistant needs to sterilize a set of stainless steel surgical forceps. Which of the following methods is the most appropriate and effective for this purpose?
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Correct answer: B
An autoclave uses steam under pressure to achieve high temperatures, which is the most reliable and common method for sterilizing heat-resistant surgical instruments like stainless steel forceps.
- Question 9Intermediate
Medical Administrative Duties · Customer service, complaint resolution
A patient calls the clinic to dispute a charge on their bill. They state they were billed for a service they did not receive. The medical assistant's primary responsibility is to:
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Correct answer: C
The MA's role is to act as a professional and helpful point of contact. This involves active listening, collecting the necessary information (e.g., date of service, specific charge), and directing the query to the correct department (billing) for investigation and resolution, while assuring the patient their concern will be addressed.
- Question 10Intermediate
Law and Ethics · Make corrections and additions to medical records per state and federal guidelines
A medical assistant makes an error while documenting a patient's vital signs in a paper chart. Which of the following is the legally compliant method for correcting the error?
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Correct answer: C
This is the standard, legally sound procedure for correcting an error in a paper medical record. It ensures transparency and accountability by keeping the original entry visible while providing a clear, authenticated correction.
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