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CMA AAMA Daily Question

Past questions

Try each one first, then tap to see the answer and the explanation.

Question 1 · Administrative

A caller reports chest pain and trouble breathing. What should the medical assistant do?

  • A. Book the next open appointment this week
  • B. Take a message for the provider to return later
  • C. Suggest the caller rest and call back tomorrow
  • D. Tell the caller to hang up and call 911
Show the answer
D. Tell the caller to hang up and call 911

Possible life-threatening symptoms need emergency services right away.

Question 2 · Administrative Assisting

A patient asks why they must pay 20 dollars at check-in even though they have already met their annual deductible.

What should the medical assistant report or explain to the provider or patient about this amount?

  • A. The amount is coinsurance, which is always collected before the deductible is met
  • B. The amount is the remaining deductible that must still be paid
  • C. The amount is a late fee for a previous missed appointment
  • D. It is a copay, a fixed fee due at each visit
Show the answer
D. It is a copay, a fixed fee due at each visit

A copay is a fixed dollar amount due at the time of service and is separate from the deductible and coinsurance.

Question 3 · Clinical Medical Procedures

In the chain of infection, what is the reservoir?

  • A. The way the organism leaves the host
  • B. The way the organism spreads
  • C. The person who may become infected
  • D. Where the organism lives and grows
Show the answer
D. Where the organism lives and grows

The reservoir is where the pathogen lives, such as a person, animal or surface.

Question 4 · Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science

The medical assistant is entering a medication order written as 'MS 15 mg PO q4h prn' into the patient's medication list.

Which abbreviation in this order is error-prone, appearing on the do-not-use lists of The Joint Commission and ISMP, and should be clarified with the provider?

  • A. PO
  • B. MS
  • C. mg
  • D. prn
Show the answer
B. MS

MS is on both do-not-use lists because it can mean either morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate, so the full drug name must be confirmed with the provider before the order is entered.

Question 5 · Administrative Medical Assisting

Which payment method pays a provider a fixed amount per patient per month, even in months when the patient has no visit?

  • A. Fee for service
  • B. Coinsurance
  • C. Capitation
  • D. Copayment
Show the answer
C. Capitation

Capitation pays a set monthly amount for each enrolled patient.

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