May 17, 2024

Free Medical Assistant Sample Questions

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See why TrueLearn is a trusted resource for hundreds of medical assistant learners. At TrueLearn, we understand that it’s all about the content. That’s why we have high-yield CMA practice questions written and screened by high-performing physician authors that are updated on a regular basis to ensure our SmartBanks stay up-to-date with exam blueprint changes.

Your First Free Sample CMA Question

Which term best describes a condition in which a patient experiences chest pain due to inflammation of the pleura?

A. Atelectasis
B. Mesothelioma
C. Pleural effusion
D. Pleurisy
E. Tuberculosis

Answer and Explanation

Pleurisy is a type of chest pain caused by inflammation of the pleura, which is the membrane separating the lungs from the inside of the chest wall. There are two pleural linings, with a thin layer of fluid between them, that provide protection against friction to the lungs during respirations. When the pleurae become inflamed, they rub against each other, causing pain during expansion of the lungs. Pleurisy is typically caused by an infection such as pneumonia or the flu.

Did you get it right? The correct answer is: D

Incorrect Answer Explanations

Answer A: Atelectasis is a condition in which the airways and air sacs in the lung collapse or fail to expand properly. This condition can be caused by surgery, airway obstruction, or lung compression. When the alveoli in the lungs are unable to fill with air, atelectasis occurs and is characterized by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, sharp chest pain when breathing deeply, increased heart rate, and cyanosis (blue-colored skin, lips, or nails).

Answer B: Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium (thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of the internal organs). Mesothelioma is divided into types according to the part of the mesothelium that is affected; the most common type is pleural mesothelioma, as it affects the tissue surrounding the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, painful coughing, shortness of breath, lumps of tissue under the skin of the chest, and unexplained weight loss.

Answer C: Pleural effusion occurs when an excessive amount of fluid builds up in the space between the layers of the pleura. This can be caused by congestive heart failure and liver or kidney disease, as well as cancer, infections, autoimmune diseases, or a pulmonary embolism. Pleural effusions are characterized by shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, and cough.

Answer E: Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection of the lungs caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although TB typically attacks the lungs, it can also spread to other areas of the body, such as the brain and spine. Symptoms of active TB include a chronic cough, chest pain, chronic fatigue, night sweats, chills, fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss. TB can be treated with long-term antibiotic therapy.