Medical law and ethics is 7 of the 150 scored items on the NHA CCMA. Answer 10 exam style questions on medical law and ethics and see exactly which concepts would cost you points on test day.
Start the 10 questions →What defines the tasks a medical assistant may legally perform?
These questions cover scope of practice, negligence, legal doctrines, intentional torts and consent. Each one shows the correct answer and why every other option is wrong, so a miss tells you exactly what to review before the CCMA.
Prefer to read first? Every question from the practice set above, with the correct answer and why each wrong option is wrong.
Answer: B. Medical assistant scope of practice is set by state laws and regulations, the employer's policies, the assistant's training and competence, and delegation by a licensed provider. It varies from state to state.
Why not A: Patients do not determine legal scope.
Why not C: Certification demonstrates knowledge but does not override state law.
Why not D: Confidence does not create legal authority.
Exam tactic: Scope = state law + employer + training + delegation.
Answer: D. Negligence is failing to act as a reasonably prudent person with similar training would, resulting in harm. Malpractice is professional negligence by a licensed professional; the employer may also be liable through respondeat superior.
Why not A: Defamation is a false statement that harms reputation.
Why not B: Battery is intentional unconsented touching.
Why not C: Abandonment is ending care without proper notice.
Exam tactic: Carelessness that causes harm = negligence.
Answer: B. Respondeat superior ('let the master answer') holds employers responsible for employees' actions within the scope of their job. It does not protect the employee from also being named, and acting outside scope may remove the employer's liability.
Why not A: Accidental harm can still be negligence.
Why not C: Patients are not liable for staff errors.
Why not D: Schools are not the employer.
Exam tactic: Employer answers for the employee's on-the-job acts.
Answer: A. Battery is intentional touching without consent. Assault is the threat or fear of harmful touching. Performing a procedure after refusal can constitute battery even if the intent was to help.
Why not B: This is a tort against the person, not primarily a contract issue.
Why not C: Privacy invasion involves disclosure or intrusion, not unconsented treatment.
Why not D: Libel is written defamation.
Exam tactic: Touching without consent = battery. Threat = assault.
Answer: B. Emancipated minors are legally freed from parental control, for example by court order, marriage, or military service, depending on state law. They may consent to their own care.
Why not A: Living with a relative does not by itself emancipate a minor.
Why not C: Employment alone does not create emancipation.
Why not D: Divorce of parents does not emancipate a child.
Exam tactic: Emancipation is a legal status, not a lifestyle.
Answer: B. Most provider-patient relationships are implied contracts, created by the actions of both parties. Expressed contracts are stated explicitly, orally or in writing.
Why not A: The provider-patient relationship exists independently of insurance.
Why not C: The relationship does create a contract.
Why not D: An expressed contract requires explicit terms.
Exam tactic: Showing up and being seen = implied contract.
Answer: C. Ending care properly usually involves written notice (often by certified mail), a reasonable period of continued availability for urgent needs, help locating another provider, and transfer of records. Specific requirements depend on state law and policy.
Why not A: Ending care during an acute illness without arrangements is abandonment.
Why not B: Silently refusing to schedule can constitute abandonment.
Why not D: An unconfirmed phone message is insufficient.
Exam tactic: End care in writing, with time and records.
Answer: A. Good Samaritan laws encourage bystanders to help in emergencies by limiting liability when they act in good faith, within their training, and without compensation. They do not protect gross negligence. Details vary by state.
Why not B: Gross negligence is generally not protected.
Why not C: Most states do not require bystanders to stop.
Why not D: The laws address liability, not payment.
Exam tactic: Good faith, within training, no pay, no gross negligence.
Answer: A. Health care workers are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse in every state. The assistant documents observations objectively and follows the office's procedure, which ensures the report reaches child protective services or law enforcement. Proof is not required, only reasonable suspicion.
Why not B: Posting violates privacy and could harm the child.
Why not C: Silence can leave a child at risk and violates reporting duties.
Why not D: Confronting the parent may endanger the child and is not the process.
Exam tactic: Suspect abuse? Report. Suspicion is enough.
Answer: D. Nonmaleficence is avoiding harm. Beneficence is acting for the patient's good, autonomy is respecting the patient's right to decide, and justice is fairness in the distribution of care.
Why not A: Beneficence means doing good.
Why not B: Autonomy is self-determination.
Why not C: Justice is fairness.
Exam tactic: Non-malefic = not harmful.
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