Medical Assistant Exam Content Outline

Exam Objective: To measure the overall level of clinical knowledge for the Medical Assistant.

Each question in this assessment is categorized by a cognitive level that the test taker would likely use to respond. These categories are: • Recall: The ability to recall or recognize specific information; • Application: The ability to comprehend, relate or apply knowledge to new or changing situations;

• Analysis: The ability to analyze and synthesize information, determine solutions and/or evaluate the usefulness of a solution.

Anyunlawfuluseorreproductionofthisdataandcontentwillbeprosecutedtothefullestextentofthelaw.

9%

31%

18%9%

22%

10%

KnowledgeDomains- MedicalAssistant

Administrative/Referrals

ClinicalPractice

GeneralKnowledge

PatientEducation

Pharmacology

ProfessionalIssues

I. Administrative/Referrals A. Knowledge of how to perform basic administrative tasks. B. Knowledge of medical terminology, acronyms, and

abbreviations commonly used in healthcare settings. C. Knowledge of coding, insurance forms, advanced

directives, release forms, etc. D. Knowledge of procedures for referrals,

documentation, informed consent, validating patient identification, and handling incoming patient calls.

II. Clinical Practice A. Knowledge of vital signs & age specific parameters. B. Knowledge of how to perform a comprehensive physical assessment and

obtain patient medical history. C. Knowledge of pain assessment scales. D. Knowledge of components of time out procedure. E. Knowledge of Basic Life Support, CPR, AED, emergency responses, etc. F. Knowledge of procedures for multiple types of treatments, (PPD

placement and reading, suture removal, etc.) G. Knowledge of sanitation, infection control principles and isolation

precautions. H. Knowledge of proper body mechanics, lifts/devices and patient

positioning. I. Knowledge of protocols for restraint application and monitoring. J. Knowledge of diagnostic tests (urinalysis, pregnancy test, etc.) K. Knowledge of how to perform EKG, including electrode placement. L. Knowledge of how to care for a variety of patients presenting with

medical issues (seizures, feeling faint, lacerations, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, chemical burns, etc.)

III. General Knowledge A. Knowledge of phlebotomy technique and troubleshooting. B. Basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology and disease processes. C. Knowledge of obtaining lab specimens (urine, stool, blood, etc.). D. Knowledge of communication techniques (SBAR, therapeutic, conflict

resolution, interpreter, etc.)

IV. Patient Education

A. Knowledge of how to evaluate patient teaching needs.

B. Knowledge of how to provide education and information to patients/families in a variety of areas (diet, medications, diabetes, wounds, casts, etc.)

C. Knowledge of how to assess learning styles (written, hands on, visual aids, etc.)

D. Knowledge of how to evaluate patient’s understanding of education.

V. Pharmacology A. Knowledge of medication administration protocols, including the six

rights of medication administration.

B. Knowledge of how to assess, monitor and document patients’ responses to medications.

C. Knowledge of different types of medications/vaccinations administered in

the clinical setting.

D. Knowledge of different routes of medication administration.

E. Knowledge of how to calculate correct doses of medication.

VI. Professional Issues A. Knowledge of the role and scope of practice of the medical assistant.

B. Knowledge of HIPAA regulations and compliance.

C. Knowledge of patient rights under the Patient Self-Determination Act.

D. Knowledge of how to identify those at risk for abuse/neglect,

drug/alcohol dependence, withdrawal, toxicities, etc.

E. Knowledge of reportable patient conditions (abuse/neglect, communicable diseases, gunshot wound, dog bite, etc.)

F. Knowledge of how to make appropriate referrals to community resources

to meet patient needs.