1Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science10%
Fifteen questions on the background a medical assistant works from: how health care is organized and who may do what, medical terminology, basic pharmacology, nutrition and psychology. Pharmacology is the part with the most to learn: drug classes, controlled-substance schedules, routes and forms, the rights of medication administration, and dose calculations.
- 1AHealth care systems and settings: roles and scope of medical assistants and other providers, licensure versus certification, types of organizations and delivery models, telehealth and portals, payment models, general versus specialty care, and ancillary or complementary services.
- 1BMedical terminology: abbreviations and symbols, the Joint Commission Do Not Use list, word building, lay versus medical terms, and positional and directional terms.
- 1CBasic pharmacology: drug classes and common medications, controlled-substance schedules, side versus adverse effects, indications versus contraindications, measurement and dose calculations, dosage forms, look-alike/sound-alike drugs, routes, pharmacokinetics, rights of administration, storage and disposal, and drug information sources.
- 1DNutrition: nutrients, dietary guidelines and food labels, diets for conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and celiac disease, vitamins and supplements, and eating disorders.
- 1EPsychology: developmental stages, signs of common mental health conditions, environmental and socioeconomic stressors, psychological effects of disability and disease, defense mechanisms, and end of life and grief.
Where people lose points: Pairs that sound alike and mean different things: a side effect against an adverse effect, an indication against a contraindication, licensure against certification. Questions give you a description and ask for the term. Dose calculation and unit conversion also live here, so practice them by hand before you rely on a calculator.
2Anatomy and Physiology5.3%
Eight questions on body systems and on common diseases: structure and function of each system, how systems work together, and the signs, causes, tests and treatments of the conditions a medical office sees most.
- 2ABody structures and organ systems: cell structure, anatomical locations and positions, structure and function of the major body systems and organs, and how systems interact to maintain homeostasis.
- 2BPathophysiology and disease processes: signs, symptoms, and causes of common diseases and injuries, diagnostic measures and treatments, incidence, prevalence, risk factors and comorbidities, and epidemics and pandemics.
Where people lose points: Over-studying it. Anatomy and physiology is a large subject and a small domain. Learn each system at the level of what it does and what commonly goes wrong with it, and let the detail come from the clinical tasks that depend on it: you will learn chest anatomy placing EKG leads and arm veins choosing a venipuncture site.
3Clinical Patient Care56%
Eighty-four questions in six parts. Intake and vitals (14): identifying the patient, taking a history, measuring and converting vital signs, and knowing an abnormal reading when you see one. General patient care (28): preparing rooms and patients, assisting with exams and minor surgery, giving medications by mouth, by other non-injected routes and by injection, wound care, emergencies, and documenting in the electronic record. Infection control and safety (15): precautions, protective equipment, hand hygiene, disinfection, sterilization, aseptic technique, biohazard disposal and exposure procedures. Laboratory and point-of-care testing (9), phlebotomy (12) and EKG (6) complete the domain.
- 3A1Keep patients safe in the clinical setting.
- 3A2Identify the patient correctly using approved identifiers.
- 3A3Carry out a full clinical intake, including the reason for the visit and the patient's history and screenings.
- 3A4Measure and record vital signs: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, pulse oximetry, and pain.
- 3A5Convert vital sign measurements between units, such as height, weight, and temperature.
- 3A6Take body measurements such as height, weight, BMI, and circumference, including pediatric growth measurements.
- 3A7Recognize abnormal signs and symptoms, document them, and report them.
- 3B1Set up the examination or procedure room.
- 3B2Set up and maintain a sterile field.
- 3B3Prepare the patient for a procedure, including explaining what to expect before and after.
- 3B4Assist the provider during general and specialty physical examinations, including positioning, draping, and equipment.
- 3B5Prepare and give medications by non-parenteral routes such as oral, topical, eye, and ear.
- 3B6Prepare and give medications by parenteral routes other than intravenous, choosing the correct site, needle, and angle.
- 3B7Keep injection logs, such as those for controlled substances, tuberculosis medications, and immunizations.
- 3B8Remove staples and sutures.
- 3B9Irrigate ears and eyes.
- 3B10Give first aid and basic wound care.
- 3B11Recognize emergencies and priority situations and respond to them, including CPR and AED use.
- 3B12Assist the provider with patients who have minor or traumatic injuries.
- 3B13Assist with minor office surgery, such as cyst or toenail removal, colposcopy, and cryosurgery.
- 3B14Go over the provider's discharge instructions and plan of care with the patient.
- 3B15Send prescription and refill orders correctly by e-prescribing, phone, fax, or email.
- 3B16Order and obtain durable medical equipment and supplies, such as CPAP machines, wheelchairs, and hospital beds.
- 3B17Document the relevant parts of patient care in the medical record.
- 3B18Use the basic functions of an EMR/EHR system.
- 3B19Apply EMR/EHR updates, such as quality measures, alerts, telemedicine features, and population health reporting.
- 3B20Enter orders through computerized provider order entry.
- 3B21Carry out screenings during a telehealth or virtual visit.
- 3C1Follow standard and universal precautions and infection control guidelines.
- 3C2Follow regulations and guidelines for infectious diseases, including CDC prevention and reporting guidance.
- 3C3Use personal protective equipment correctly, including the order for putting it on and taking it off.
- 3C4Follow hand hygiene guidelines for handwashing and alcohol-based rubs.
- 3C5Disinfect and sanitize surfaces and equipment.
- 3C6Sterilize medical equipment, for example with an autoclave, and maintain sterilization equipment.
- 3C7Use the right medical or surgical aseptic technique for the clinical situation.
- 3C8Dispose of biohazardous materials as OSHA requires, using sharps containers and biohazard bags.
- 3C9Follow post-exposure procedures, such as needlestick protocols and eyewash station use.
- 3D1Collect non-blood specimens such as urine, stool, cultures, and sputum.
- 3D2Perform CLIA-waived tests, including quality controls.
- 3D3Recognize in-range and out-of-range laboratory and test values, document them, and report them.
- 3D4Match and label each specimen to the patient and the completed requisition.
- 3D5Process, handle, and transport collected specimens.
- 3D6Perform vision and hearing tests.
- 3D7Perform allergy testing, such as scratch and intradermal tests.
- 3D8Perform spirometry and pulmonary function tests, electronic or manual, including peak flow.
- 3D9Identify common testing errors that cause discrepancies or inaccurate results.
- 3E1Prepare the patient for a blood draw, including checking fasting status, positioning, and comfort.
- 3E2Verify the details of the order before collecting.
- 3E3Choose the right supplies for the tests ordered, such as needle size and tube types.
- 3E4Judge which venipuncture sites are usable given the patient's age and condition.
- 3E5Prepare the venipuncture site.
- 3E6Determine the correct order of draw.
- 3E7Perform venipuncture.
- 3E8Perform capillary puncture.
- 3E9Provide care after the procedure, including bandaging.
- 3E10Handle blood samples as required for the tests ordered, such as protection from light or temperature control.
- 3E11Process blood specimens for the laboratory, including centrifuging and aliquoting.
- 3E12Match and label each blood specimen to the patient and the completed requisition.
- 3E13Recognize out-of-range test results and respond appropriately.
- 3E14Prepare samples for transport to an outside reference laboratory.
- 3E15Distribute laboratory results to the right provider after matching patient to provider.
- 3F1Prepare the patient for an EKG or for ambulatory cardiac monitoring.
- 3F2Identify lead types and place limb and chest electrodes in the correct anatomical positions.
- 3F3Perform EKG tests.
- 3F4Recognize abnormal or emergency EKG findings and tell a true dysrhythmia from artifact.
- 3F5Assist the provider with ambulatory cardiac monitoring, such as stress tests, Holter monitors, and event monitors.
- 3F6Send EKG results or reports to the patient's record and the provider.
- 3F7Keep EKG equipment working properly and stored correctly.
Where people lose points: Procedures learned as a list of supplies instead of a sequence of steps. The questions ask what you do first, what you do next, or what you do when something is not as expected: the patient who cannot confirm their identity, the reading that is out of range, the break in a sterile field. For injections, know how the injected routes differ in site, needle and angle. For blood draws, know the order of draw. For protective equipment, know the order for putting it on and for taking it off. For EKGs, know electrode placement and how to tell artifact from a true abnormality. And know the limit of the role: a medical assistant recognizes, documents and reports; the provider diagnoses and interprets.
4Patient Care Coordination and Education8%
Twelve questions on keeping a patient's care joined up: reviewing the record before a visit, tracking which screenings and immunizations are due, connecting patients with community resources, supporting transitions between settings, and helping patients follow through on treatment.
- 4AReview the patient's record before the visit so that all care needs are addressed.
- 4BMake sure preventive care and screenings are documented in the patient record.
- 4CTrack when screenings and preventive care are due, such as mammograms, Pap tests, colonoscopies, and immunizations.
- 4DHelp the provider find and share information on community resources for clinical and non-clinical services.
- 4ECoordinate with other providers and community organizations to keep care continuous.
- 4FHelp patients follow through on follow-up visits and medications to improve health outcomes.
- 4GTake part in team-based care models such as the patient-centered medical home and accountable care organizations.
- 4HTake part in transitions of care for patients moving between settings.
- 4IProvide patient education through telehealth or virtual visit systems.
- 4JTeach patients how to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
Where people lose points: The care-model vocabulary. Know what a patient-centered medical home is and what an accountable care organization is, and be able to tell them apart from a description. In scenario questions, the right answer usually has the medical assistant supporting the provider's plan and checking the patient understood it, not giving advice of their own.
5Administrative Assisting8%
Twelve questions on the front office: scheduling and prioritizing appointments, checking patients in and out, verifying insurance and eligibility, prior authorizations, the basics of coding and billing, medical records, referrals, inventory, and helping patients with portals and telehealth.
- 5ASchedule and monitor patient appointments in electronic and paper systems.
- 5BWork out which type of appointment the patient needs.
- 5CPrioritize appointments by urgency.
- 5DMonitor patient flow sheets, superbills, and encounter forms.
- 5EVerify insurance coverage and financial eligibility.
- 5FIdentify patients and check them in and out.
- 5GConfirm that diagnostic and procedural codes are appropriate.
- 5HObtain and verify prior authorizations and precertifications for prescriptions, procedures, and imaging.
- 5IPrepare documentation and billing requests using current coding guidelines.
- 5JMake sure documentation meets government and insurer requirements.
- 5KReconcile charges: enter charges, post payments, make adjustments, and process accounts receivable.
- 5LBill patients, insurers, and other third-party payers for services.
- 5MResolve billing problems with insurers and third-party payers, including denials and appeals.
- 5NManage electronic and paper medical records.
- 5ORoute office mail and faxes to the right staff member.
- 5PGenerate and facilitate referrals to other providers and allied health professionals.
- 5QFollow up on patient calls and confirm appointments.
- 5REnter information into databases and spreadsheets, such as the EMR/EHR, billing modules, and scheduling systems.
- 5STake part in safety evaluations and report safety concerns.
- 5TMaintain the inventory of clinical and administrative supplies.
- 5UActivate patient portal accounts and help patients use them.
- 5VShow patients how to use telehealth or virtual visit technology and troubleshoot problems.
Where people lose points: Spending clinical-sized time on it. This domain has 22 tasks, the longest list outside clinical care, and only 12 questions, so learn the vocabulary and move on: a copayment against a deductible against coinsurance, a referral against a prior authorization, an encounter form, a denial and an appeal. Scheduling questions usually turn on urgency, so know which complaints cannot wait for the next open slot.
6Communication and Customer Service8%
Twelve questions on communication: adapting how you speak to the person in front of you, including children, older adults and patients with hearing, vision or cognitive impairment; relaying messages accurately; telephone and written communication; and handling complaints and conflict professionally.
- 6ARecognize the diversity of patients' cultures and backgrounds when giving care.
- 6BRecognize stereotypes and biases and interact appropriately with patients, coworkers, and others.
- 6CAdjust verbal and nonverbal communication for different audiences, such as providers, coworkers, supervisors, patients, and caregivers.
- 6DAdjust communication for patients with special considerations, such as children, older adults, and people with hearing, vision, or cognitive impairment.
- 6EAdjust communication to the type of visit, in person or virtual.
- 6FClarify and relay messages between patients and providers.
- 6GCommunicate by telephone with patients, caregivers, providers, and payers in line with HIPAA.
- 6HPrepare written and electronic communications and business correspondence.
- 6IHandle difficult customer service situations.
- 6JUse conflict management and complaint resolution to improve patient satisfaction.
- 6KHold difficult but necessary conversations with patients, caregivers or surrogates, staff, and providers.
- 6LSupport teamwork and team engagement.
- 6MShow professionalism in demeanor, dress, language, and tone.
Where people lose points: The answer that sounds kindest. One option will reassure the patient with something the medical assistant cannot know, or share information with a caller who has no right to it. The correct option is usually the one that listens, clarifies and brings in the provider. Telephone questions are privacy questions in disguise: who is calling, and what may they be told?
7Medical Law and Ethics4.7%
Seven questions on law and ethics: privacy and confidentiality under HIPAA, consent, advance directives and other medical directives, mandatory reporting, and giving unbiased care whatever your own beliefs.
- 7AComply with legal and regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA, HITECH, and the Controlled Substances Act.
- 7BObtain patient consent when needed, including for minors and patients unable to consent.
- 7CFollow professional codes of ethics.
- 7DObtain, review, and honor medical directives, such as advance directives, living wills, health care proxies, and orders for life-sustaining treatment.
- 7EProtect patient privacy and confidentiality, including medical records.
- 7FMeet legal requirements for reportable violations and incidents, including mandatory reporting of abuse.
- 7GRecognize your own personal or religious beliefs and values and give unbiased care regardless.
Where people lose points: Consent and its exceptions: who can consent for a minor or for a patient who cannot consent, and what counts as consent in an emergency. Also the directive types, which are easy to blur: a living will, a health care proxy and an order about life-sustaining treatment do different jobs. Mandatory reporting, such as suspected abuse, is a legal duty that confidentiality does not override.