NCMA Practice Questions
Prepare for NCMA with more than an answer.
- Exam fee
- $119 USD
- Level
- Entry-Level
- Valid for
- 5 years with annual maintenance
Domains covered on the exam 4
- Pharmacology and General Medical Knowledge14.4%
- Clinical Medical Procedures57.6%
- Medical Administrative Duties12%
- Law and Ethics16%
- 1
A patient with diabetes is at the clinic for a follow-up. The medical assistant needs to perform a capillary puncture to check the patient's blood glucose level. Which of the following sites is most appropriate for a capillary puncture on this adult patient?
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Correct answer: B
The preferred sites for a fingerstick on an adult are the third (middle) or fourth (ring) fingers of the non-dominant hand. The puncture should be made on the fleshy portion of the fingertip, slightly off-center, to avoid hitting the bone.
- 2
A provider gives a medical assistant a verbal order for a medication. What is the best practice for the medical assistant to ensure accuracy before administering the medication?
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Correct answer: A
The 'write-down, read-back' method is a critical safety protocol for verbal orders. It ensures that the MA correctly heard and understood all components of the order (drug, dose, route, frequency) and allows the provider to confirm its accuracy before the medication is administered.
- 3
Which federal agency is primarily responsible for creating and enforcing regulations to ensure the safety and health of workers, including the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
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Correct answer: C
OSHA is the federal agency specifically tasked with ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for employees by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.
- 4
A medical assistant is instructing a patient on how to collect a 24-hour urine specimen. Which of the following instructions is most critical to ensure the accuracy of the collection?
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Correct answer: B
This is the correct procedure. The timing for the 24-hour period begins after the first morning urination is discarded. The patient then collects all urine for the next 24 hours, ending with the collection of the first morning sample on the second day. This ensures a precise 24-hour sample.
- 5
A provider orders a lipid panel, a complete blood count (CBC), and a prothrombin time (PT) test. The medical assistant gathers a red top tube, a light blue top tube, and a lavender top tube. Which of the following represents the correct order of draw?
graph TD subgraph Legend R[Red Top] LB[Light Blue Top] L[Lavender Top] end subgraph Options A[LB --> R --> L] B[R --> L --> LB] C[L --> LB --> R] D[LB --> L --> R] endShow answer details
Correct answer: A
The correct order of draw is critical to prevent cross-contamination of additives between tubes. The standard order is: 1. Blood cultures, 2. Light Blue (for coagulation tests like PT), 3. Red/SST (for chemistry tests like a lipid panel), 4. Green, 5. Lavender (for hematology tests like CBC), 6. Gray. Therefore, the correct sequence for these specific tests is Light blue, then Red, then Lavender.
- 6
A medical assistant accidentally sustains a needlestick from a used syringe while cleaning an exam room. The source patient's identity and health status are unknown. According to OSHA guidelines, what is the immediate first step the medical assistant should take?
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Correct answer: B
The immediate first aid response for a puncture wound, as recommended by OSHA and the CDC, is to wash the area with soap and water. Encouraging bleeding by gently pressing on the area can also help. This should be done before any other action.
- 7
A 16-year-old patient, who is not an emancipated minor, comes to the clinic alone and confidentially requests a pregnancy test. According to HIPAA and common state laws regarding minors' reproductive health, what is the most appropriate action for the medical assistant?
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Correct answer: C
The correct action is to respect the minor's right to consent for this specific type of confidential care, as protected by law. The MA should perform the test and follow clinic protocols for maintaining the confidentiality of the results.
- 8
A new patient with a history of hypertension provides a list of current medications. The list includes 'Lisinopril' and 'Metoprolol'. The medical assistant should recognize these medications as belonging to which drug classifications, respectively?
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Correct answer: B
Lisinopril is an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, commonly used for high blood pressure and heart failure. Metoprolol is a Beta blocker, which also treats high blood pressure, chest pain, and heart failure. Recognizing these common classifications is a key competency.
- 9
A medical assistant is preparing to draw blood for several tests. The lab requisition form lists a Complete Blood Count (CBC), a Prothrombin Time (PT), and a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP). Which of the following represents the correct order of draw for these tests?
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Correct answer: C
The correct order of draw is: 1. Light Blue top (Sodium Citrate) for PT. 2. Red top or Serum Separator Tube (SST) for BMP. 3. Lavender top (EDTA) for CBC. Following this order prevents contamination of the coagulation sample with additives from other tubes.
graph TD subgraph Correct Order of Draw A[1. Blood Cultures] --> B(2. Light Blue - PT); B --> C(3. Red/SST - BMP); C --> D(4. Green) --> E(5. Lavender - CBC); E --> F(6. Gray); end - 10
During an ECG, the medical assistant observes a thick, uniform, and fuzzy baseline across the entire tracing. The patient is shivering slightly due to the room temperature. This type of artifact is best described as:
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Correct answer: C
Somatic tremor is a muscle artifact that appears as a fuzzy, erratic, or thick baseline. It is caused by voluntary or involuntary muscle movement, such as shivering, patient movement, or neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease. Providing a blanket to stop the shivering is the appropriate corrective action.
