Certified Clinical Medical Assistant CCMA Practice Test

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Prepare for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam. Practice with multiple-choice questions, detailed explanations, and comprehensive study material. Perfect your skills and ace your test!

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An MA is performing an ear irrigation for an adult pt who has a cerumen impaction. Which of the following steps should the assistant complete prior to administering the irrigation solution?

Press the earlobe down and back
Insert the irrigation syringe deeply into the ear canal
Do not remove cerumen manually
Pull the pinna of the ear up and back

The correct answer is: Pull the pinna of the ear up and back

Prior to administering the irrigation solution for ear cleaning, it is essential for the medical assistant to pull the pinna of the ear up and back. This technique helps to straighten the ear canal, which allows for better visualization and access during the irrigation process. By pulling the pinna, or the outer ear, in this manner, the assistant facilitates a more effective flow of the irrigation solution, targeting the cerumen impaction more directly and reducing the likelihood of injury to the ear canal or tympanic membrane. The other steps mentioned involve techniques that are not as effective for adult patients. For instance, pressing the earlobe down and back is more commonly used for young children, as their ear canals are shaped differently. Inserting the irrigation syringe deeply into the ear canal can pose a risk of damage to the delicate structures within the ear, while stating NOT to remove cerumen manually does not directly pertain to preparing for ear irrigation since the procedure aims to safely flush out the cerumen. Overall, pulling the pinna up and back is the correct method that enhances safety and effectiveness during the ear irrigation procedure.