NRCMA NAHP Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

A physician's narcotic license must be renewedevery 2-3 years. This license, issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), allows physicians to prescribe controlled substances. The renewal period ensures that physicians remain in good standing and comply with current regulations.

The suffix-orrheameansdischarge or flow. It is used in medical terminology to describe an abnormal flow or discharge from a body part or organ. Examples include diarrhea (flow of loose or watery stools) and rhinorrhea (nasal discharge).

References:

Mosby's Medical Dictionary (10th ed.). (2017). Elsevier.

Stedman's Medical Dictionary (28th ed.). (2006). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

When a small sample of tissue is taken from the body and sent to a clinical laboratory to be examined or studied, it is called a biopsy. Biopsies are performed to diagnose diseases, such as cancer, by analyzing tissue samples under a microscope. This procedure provides critical information about the presence and extent of diseases.

References:

Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease

The Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical Cytology

Bradycardia refers to a slow heart beat, defined as a heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults. It can be a normal condition in well-trained athletes but may also indicate a problem with the heart's electrical system. Symptoms of bradycardia can include fatigue, dizziness, weakness, and fainting.

The most common place to take a pulse is at the radial artery. The radial artery is located on the lateral side of the wrist, proximal to the thumb. It is easily accessible and provides a reliable indicator of heart rate and rhythm.

References:

Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking by Lynn S. Bickley

Mosby's Guide to Physical Examination by Henry M. Seidel et al.

A patient who is 68 years old is most likely covered by Medicare. Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States primarily for people aged 65 and older, but it also covers some younger individuals with disabilities or specific diseases. Medicare consists of different parts that cover hospital insurance (Part A), medical insurance (Part B), and prescription drugs (Part D).

Atriomegalyis a medical term that describes the enlargement of the atrium of the heart. The atria are the two upper chambers of the heart, and enlargement can be due to various conditions such as hypertension, valvular heart disease, or cardiomyopathy. This enlargement can affect the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently.

Galactoseis a simple sugar that is a product of the digestion ofmilk. Lactose, the sugar found in milk, is broken down into glucose and galactose by the enzyme lactase. This process occurs in the small intestine, allowing these sugars to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

The medical term for a nosebleed isepistaxis. It refers to bleeding from the nose, which can result from a variety of causes including trauma, dry air, high blood pressure, or underlying medical conditions.

References:

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Nosebleeds (Epistaxis).

One effective way to prevent patients from forgetting future appointments is tocall them the day before their appointmentanduse appointment cards. These methods help remind patients of their upcoming appointments, reducing the likelihood of no-shows and improving adherence to scheduled visits.

References:

Appointment Scheduling and Medical Practice Management. (n.d.). American Medical Association.

Practice Management for Healthcare Professionals. (n.d.). Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).

When a patient is bleeding heavily from a wound, the immediate priority is to control the bleeding. The best initial action is to apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or bandage. This helps to stem the flow of blood and allows time for clotting to begin. Elevating the limb can also help reduce blood flow to the area, but applying direct pressure is the primary and most effective method. Tourniquets are used only as a last resort when direct pressure and elevation do not control the bleeding.

References:

American Red Cross First Aid Manual

Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured (AAOS)

Red blood cells (RBCs), also known as erythrocytes, are specialized cells in the blood responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returning carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. RBCs contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen molecules. Hemoglobin is composed of four subunits, each containing an iron ion that can bind one molecule of oxygen. This binding and release of oxygen are critical for cellular respiration, which provides energy for the body's metabolic processes. The unique biconcave shape of RBCs increases their surface area for efficient gas exchange and allows them to navigate through the narrow capillaries.

For a vaginal examination, the patient is typically positioned in the lithotomy position. This position involves the patient lying on their back with their legs flexed at the hips and knees, and the feet placed in stirrups. This positioning provides the healthcare provider with optimal access to the pelvic area for examination. Proper patient positioning is crucial for both the comfort of the patient and the effectiveness of the examination. The lithotomy position is standard for many gynecological procedures, including pelvic exams, Pap smears, and certain surgical procedures.

The abbreviation forimmediatelyisSTAT. This term is used in medical contexts to indicate that an action is to be taken immediately, derived from the Latin word "statim."

References:

Mosby's Medical Dictionary (10th ed.). (2017). Elsevier.

Stedman's Medical Abbreviations, Acronyms & Symbols (5th ed.). (2013). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

The termselfrefers toauto. This prefix is used in medical terminology to denote self or same, as seen in words like autoimmune (where the immune system attacks the body's own cells) and autopsy (self-examination of a body after death).

References:

Mosby's Medical Dictionary (10th ed.). (2017). Elsevier.

Stedman's Medical Dictionary (28th ed.). (2006). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Ultrasound should not be used for tumors. While ultrasound is effective for diagnosing and monitoring many conditions, it is not typically used as a treatment for tumors. Other modalities like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy are used for tumor treatment.

Tissues are composed of cells. A tissue is a group of similar cells that perform a specific function. There are four primary types of tissues in the human body: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues. Each type of tissue has a distinct structure and function that contributes to the overall physiology of the body.

References:

Junqueira's Basic Histology: Text and Atlas by Anthony L. Mescher

Human Anatomy & Physiology by Elaine N. Marieb and Katja Hoehn

A patient with a rapid pulse hastachycardia. Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate that exceeds the normal resting rate, typically over 100 beats per minute in adults. It can result from various factors including stress, exercise, or medical conditions.Reference:Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant study materials, cardiology references.

The abbreviation for "immediately" in medical terminology is"SIAI", which stands for "Statim" or "stat," a term used to indicate urgency. The use of "stat" comes from the Latin word "statim," meaning "immediately." This is a common term used in medical settings to convey the need for immediate action or treatment. The other options (Rx, IMM, IMI) do not represent the abbreviation for immediately.Reference:Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant study materials and medical terminology references.