Psychology is part of Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science, which is 15 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
A medical assistant is updating a patient's demographic notes and is unsure how the patient prefers her disability to be described. What does person-centered language guidance recommend?
AUse the term listed on her insurance card
BAsk the patient how she would like to be described
CAsk the companion who came with her
DAvoid mentioning the disability anywhere in the record
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Ask the patient how she would like to be described
Person-first language is a starting point, but preferences vary (some people prefer identity-first terms), so guidance says to ask the person how they would like to be described.
Why the other options are wrong
A. Use the term listed on her insurance card: Insurance wording does not reflect the patient's own preference.
C. Ask the companion who came with her: The patient, not a companion, decides how she is described.
D. Avoid mentioning the disability anywhere in the record: Clinically relevant information must still be documented; the question is how to phrase it respectfully.
A patient who is living in his car tells the medical assistant he has not eaten today and is anxious about his job search. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which need must be addressed first?
ALove and belonging
BSafety and security
CEsteem
DPhysiological
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Physiological
Maslow placed physiological needs (food, water, sleep) at the base of the hierarchy; lower needs must be met before higher needs, so his hunger comes first.
Why the other options are wrong
A. Love and belonging: Love and belonging is the third level, above physiological and safety needs.
B. Safety and security: Safety and security is the second level and is addressed after physiological needs.
C. Esteem: Esteem needs sit above physiological, safety and belonging needs.
A 7-year-old whose chart lists autism spectrum disorder avoids eye contact and repeats the same phrase while waiting to be seen. How should the medical assistant regard these behaviors?
AAs evidence that the diagnosis is incorrect
BAs a sign that the child is in physical pain
CAs characteristic features of the child's condition
DAs defiance that should be corrected before the exam
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. As characteristic features of the child's condition
MedlinePlus notes that people with ASD may not look others in the eye and may have restricted interests and repetitive behaviors, so these behaviors are expected features, not misbehavior.
Why the other options are wrong
A. As evidence that the diagnosis is incorrect: Judging a diagnosis is outside MA scope, and these behaviors fit ASD.
B. As a sign that the child is in physical pain: Avoiding eye contact and repeating phrases are not specific signs of pain.
D. As defiance that should be corrected before the exam: Treating expected ASD behaviors as defiance can increase distress.
Which skill is a typical developmental milestone for a 12-month-old child?
AWaving goodbye
BDrawing a square
CPedaling a tricycle
DSpeaking in three-word sentences
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Waving goodbye
Typical 12-month skills include waving goodbye, saying "mama" and "papa," and walking alone or with one hand held; sentences, tricycles and drawing shapes come later.
Why the other options are wrong
B. Drawing a square: Drawing a square is expected at about 4 years.
C. Pedaling a tricycle: Pedaling a tricycle is expected at about 3 years.
D. Speaking in three-word sentences: Three-word sentences are a 3-year-old milestone.