Test Prep Test Prep Certifications NCMA Questions & Answers

• Question 191:

  Under what circumstances should a patient's blood be considered infective or infectious?

  A. If the patient is homeless

  B. If the patient is an intravenous drug user

  C. If the patient is from sub Saharan Africa

  D. In all circumstances

  Correct Answer: D

  No matter what a patient's individual status or why they are in hospital, their blood should always be

  handled as if it has the potential to cause infection.

  Exactly the same procedures must be followed when taking and handling blood from every patient.

• Question 192:

  Who should explain the costs of their care to a patient?

  A. The physician

  B. The nurse

  C. The insurance company

  D. The administrative staff

  Correct Answer: D

  Medical staff are not expected to explain care costs to a patient, this is the job of administrative staff.

  If this is part of your job, you should be aware that it is vital that a patient understands all costs involved

  and any alternatives that may be available to them.

• Question 193:

  Which of these is the only risk a computer cable may not present?

  A. Flood risk

  B. Trip risk

  C. Electrocution risk

  D. Fire risk

  Correct Answer: A

  Electrical equipment cables are one of the major causes of workplace accidents.

  They should be regularly inspected to make sure there is no fraying of the outer casing, which could cause

  electrocution or fire, and careful attention must be paid to their routing: ideally all cables should travel

  through secure housing to ensure they cannot cause a trip risk.

• Question 194:

  Which of these is the only one entitled to immediate access to patient medical records?

  A. The patient's physician

  B. The patient's lawyer

  C. Law enforcement officials

  D. The patient's insurance company

  Correct Answer: A

  All of these entities are entitled to patient medical records under certain circumstances and if all proper

  conditions have been fulfilled.

  The patient's physician is the only one of these who is entitled to immediate access.

• Question 195:

  Which of these is most important when dealing with medical records?

  A. Accessibility

  B. Confidentiality

  C. Legibility

  D. Availability

  Correct Answer: B

  All of these elements are important, but when dealing with medical records confidentiality is paramount. Always make sure that records are not being disclosed to an unauthorized entity, and check with the office handbook and other staff when in doubt.

• Question 196:

  If a patient cancels an appointment it is essential that you __________.

  A. Check if they need to reschedule

  B. Bill them for the cancelled appointment

  C. Remove their record from the database

  D. Mark their record as closed

  Correct Answer: A

  A patient may cancel an appointment for many reasons and sometimes may forget to reschedule, which

  could result in them missing vital treatment.

  Always ask if they need to reschedule and if in doubt consult with the appropriate physician.

• Question 197:

  The best passwords for computers are __________.

  A. Random

  B. Simple

  C. Memorable

  D. Short

  Correct Answer: A

  Computer passwords are there to protect patient data so they should be as difficult to bypass as possible.

  Don't use names, birthdays, favorite teams etc.: use a random string of numbers, symbols and letters. Try

  to memorize it rather than writing it down.

  Change your password as often as your systems administrator recommends.

• Question 198:

  What should be placed in the top right hand corner in a business letter?

  A. The date

  B. The sender's address

  C. The recipient's address

  D. A reference number

  Correct Answer: B

  Business letters should be laid out with the sender's address at the top right, the recipient's address below

  that on the left, any reference number below that, then the date, then the salutation.

  Obviously if using headed paper with an address on it there is no need to repeat this.

• Question 199:

  Which of these can be reported to relevant authorities without a patient's consent?

  A. HIV status

  B. Illegal narcotics in bloodstream

  C. Gunshot wound

  D. Blood alcohol level

  Correct Answer: C

  In most circumstances the right of the patient to confidentiality is paramount.

  That means his/her consent to confidential information being released must be obtained.

  However, in the case of gunshot wounds, information may be passed to law enforcement agencies even if

  the patient should not wish this to happen.

• Question 200:

  If a patient makes his/her condition worse by ignoring medical advice, that may be considered __________.

  A. Patient negligence

  B. Contributory negligence

  C. Patient malpractice

  D. Secondary malpractice

  Correct Answer: B

  When a patient ignores medical advice, for example does not take prescribed drugs, and so makes his/her condition worse, that may be considered contributory negligence. This means some responsibility for the deterioration lies with the patient, and may count in favor of a medical practitioner in a lawsuit.