Free Registered Medical Assistant Certification Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Registered Medical Assistant Certification Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Which function of the skeletal system directly helps protect soft internal organs?

   1. A. A rigid bony framework around vulnerable organs
   2. B. Joint cartilage covering the soft internal organs
   3. C. Red marrow forming a shield around the organs
   4. D. Bone mineral stores cushioning the organs

   Answer: A

   Explanation: NCI states, "Bones provide a rigid framework, known as the skeleton, that support and protect the soft organs of the body." The protective structure is the bony framework; cartilage, marrow, and stored minerals do not form that enclosure.

   Reference: Introduction to the Skeletal System — Introduction to the Skeletal System

2. 2In a health plan, what is the allowed amount for a covered service?

   1. A. The maximum payment the plan will pay for the service
   2. B. The provider's full charge before any plan agreement
   3. C. The patient's monthly payment to keep coverage
   4. D. The patient's fixed payment at the visit

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CMS defines allowed amount as "the maximum payment the plan will pay for a covered health care service." It may also be called the negotiated rate.

   Reference: Health insurance terms you should know — Allowed Amount

3. 3For which patients should a medical assistant apply Standard Precautions during care?

   1. A. Only patients with a confirmed infection
   2. B. Only patients awaiting laboratory results
   3. C. All patients, regardless of known infection status
   4. D. Only patients whose procedure uses a needle

   Answer: C

   Explanation: CDC says, "Use Standard Precautions to care for all patients in all settings." The patient's suspected or confirmed infection status does not limit their use.

   Reference: CDC: Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices — Core Practices Table, 5. Standard Precautions

4. 4What muscular action helps a person maintain a stationary posture?

   1. A. Continual fine adjustments by skeletal muscles
   2. B. A single sustained contraction without adjustment
   3. C. Periodic complete relaxation of postural muscles
   4. D. Rhythmic contraction of visceral smooth muscle

   Answer: A

   Explanation: NCI explains, "The skeletal muscles are continually making fine adjustments that hold the body in stationary positions." Posture therefore relies on ongoing skeletal-muscle adjustments, rather than an unchanging contraction, full relaxation, or visceral smooth muscle.

   Reference: Introduction to the Muscular System — Introduction to the Muscular System

5. 5What does balance billing mean in health insurance terminology?

   1. A. Billing a monthly coverage premium
   2. B. Billing the difference between a charge and an allowed amount
   3. C. Billing a fixed copayment at each covered visit
   4. D. Billing the plan's payment directly to the insurer

   Answer: B

   Explanation: CMS states, "This amount is the difference between the actual billed amount and the allowed amount." It defines balance billing as billing the patient for the uncovered remainder, subject to applicable restrictions.

   Reference: Health insurance terms you should know — Balance Billing

6. 6For a planned clinical interaction, what factor guides selection of protective equipment under CDC's core practices?

   1. A. Expected exposure and nature of the interaction
   2. B. The diagnosis alone, without the planned task
   3. C. The worker's usual PPE, regardless of this task
   4. D. The previous patient's PPE, regardless of this task

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CDC bases PPE on "the nature of the patient interaction and potential for exposure to blood, body fluids and/or infectious material:" Diagnosis alone or habitual or previous-task PPE cannot determine this task's anticipated exposure.

   Reference: CDC: Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices — Core Practices Table, 5d. Risk Assessment with Appropriate Use of Personal Protective Equipment

7. 7In nervous system function, what happens during integration of sensory input?

   1. A. The brain combines signals to form sensations or decisions
   2. B. Receptors detect temperature or light changes
   3. C. Muscles contract after receiving motor signals
   4. D. Glands release secretions after motor signals

   Answer: A

   Explanation: NCI says, "There the signals are brought together to create sensations, to produce thoughts, or to add to memory; Decisions are made each moment based on the sensory input. This is integration." Detection is sensory input, while muscle and gland responses are motor output.

   Reference: Introduction to the Nervous System — Introduction to the Nervous System

8. 8A plan says a patient pays 20% of the allowed amount for a covered service after the deductible. What is this percentage-based share called?

   1. A. Copayment
   2. B. Premium
   3. C. Coinsurance
   4. D. Deductible

   Answer: C

   Explanation: CMS defines coinsurance as "Your share of the costs of a covered health care service, calculated as a percent (for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for the service." The percentage distinguishes it from a fixed copayment.

   Reference: Health insurance terms you should know — Coinsurance

9. 9A medical assistant's hands are visibly soiled after patient care. Which hand-hygiene method does CDC specify?

   1. A. Use alcohol-based hand rub without washing
   2. B. Wash the hands with soap and water
   3. C. Use an antiseptic wipe without washing
   4. D. Rinse the hands with water but no soap

   Answer: B

   Explanation: CDC instructs, "Ensure that healthcare personnel perform hand hygiene with soap and water when hands are visibly soiled." Rub, wipe, or water-only rinsing omits that specified method.

   Reference: CDC: Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices — Core Practices Table, 5a. Hand Hygiene

10. 10How do endocrine glands deliver their hormones to target cells?

    1. A. Direct secretion into the bloodstream
    2. B. Transport through ducts to body surfaces
    3. C. Release across a synapse into a motor nerve
    4. D. Release into a local cavity without blood transport

    Answer: A

    Explanation: NCI states, "The secretory products of endocrine glands are called hormones and are secreted directly into the blood"; endocrine delivery is via blood rather than an exocrine duct, neural synapse, or a local cavity alone.

    Reference: Introduction to the Endocrine System — Introduction to the Endocrine System