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Medical Law and Ethics practice questions for the CCMA exam

Medical Law and Ethics is 7 of the 150 scored questions on the CCMA exam. Try 5 free questions below; open each one to see the answer, why the other options are wrong and the sources.

Question 1

How is medical malpractice classified in US law?

  1. As a civil wrong (tort) of professional negligence
  2. As a criminal felony prosecuted by the state
  3. As a breach of a written business contract
  4. As an administrative fine set by a licensing board
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. As a civil wrong (tort) of professional negligence

Medical malpractice is a subset of tort law dealing with professional negligence; tort law provides remedies for civil wrongs distinct from contractual duties or criminal wrongs.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. As a criminal felony prosecuted by the state: Malpractice claims are civil suits brought by patients, not criminal prosecutions.
  • C. As a breach of a written business contract: Tort law provides remedies for wrongs distinct from contractual duties.
  • D. As an administrative fine set by a licensing board: Licensing discipline is a separate process from a malpractice suit.

Sources

Question 2

Which item is a core part of an informed consent discussion?

  1. Alternatives, including no treatment
  2. The billing code for the procedure
  3. The provider's total years in practice
  4. The patient's copay for the procedure
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Alternatives, including no treatment

Informed consent covers the nature of the procedure, its risks and benefits, the alternatives, and the likely result of declining treatment.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. The billing code for the procedure: Billing codes are not part of informed consent.
  • C. The provider's total years in practice: Years in practice are not a required consent element.
  • D. The patient's copay for the procedure: Cost may be discussed but is not a consent element.

Sources

Question 3

An MA works for an employer that is required to keep OSHA injury and illness records. She sticks herself with a needle she just used on a patient. How must the employer record this injury?

  1. On the OSHA 300 Log, without her name
  2. Only in the patient's medical record
  3. Nowhere, unless she misses work
  4. On the OSHA 300 Log only if she later becomes ill
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. On the OSHA 300 Log, without her name

29 CFR 1904.8 requires recording all work-related needlesticks and cuts from sharps contaminated with blood or OPIM on the OSHA 300 Log as an injury, and the employee's name may not be entered. Note that offices of physicians and outpatient care centers are partially exempt from keeping OSHA injury records unless the government asks them to (29 CFR 1904.2 and Appendix A to Subpart B), so the stem specifies an employer that must keep them.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Only in the patient's medical record: The employee's injury goes in OSHA records, not the patient's chart.
  • C. Nowhere, unless she misses work: Contaminated needlesticks are recorded whether or not work is missed.
  • D. On the OSHA 300 Log only if she later becomes ill: All work-related contaminated needlesticks must be recorded.

Sources

Question 4

The medical assistant offers an uninsured patient the same appointment options and courtesy as insured patients. Which ethical principle is this?

  1. Justice
  2. Autonomy
  3. Beneficence
  4. Veracity
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Justice

Justice means fair and equal treatment, with access to care and resources without prejudice or discrimination.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Autonomy: Autonomy is the patient's right to self-determination.
  • C. Beneficence: Beneficence is acting for the patient's good.
  • D. Veracity: Veracity is truthfulness.

Sources

Question 5

Where should suspected abuse of an older adult be reported when the person is not in immediate danger?

  1. Adult protective services
  2. The patient's Medicare plan
  3. Child protective services
  4. The local Social Security office
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Adult protective services

For suspected elder abuse, call 911 if the person is in urgent danger; otherwise contact adult protective services.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. The patient's Medicare plan: Insurers do not investigate elder abuse.
  • C. Child protective services: Child protective services handles reports about children, not older adults.
  • D. The local Social Security office: Social Security administers benefits, not abuse investigations.

Sources

Cheat sheets for this topic

Medical Law and Ethics terms

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