Question

Which of the following is an example of a document that may be signed by the medical assistant?

1) Prescription
2) Lab test results
3) Patient consent form
4) Medical billing statement

Answer 1

A medical assistant may be authorized to sign a patient consent form, which is used to obtain consent for various medical treatments and procedures. Prescriptions, lab test results, and medical billing statements are typically signed by a licensed healthcare provider, not a medical assistant.

Step-by-step explanation:

A medical assistant may have various administrative duties within a healthcare setting, and one of these duties can include signing certain types of documents. However, their scope of practice is regulated and does not typically include tasks like prescribing medication, which is a responsibility of the physician or another licensed provider. Therefore, the example of a document that a medical assistant may be allowed to sign is a patient consent form. This form is used to obtain the patient's consent for treatment, procedures, and any other care provided. Signing lab test results, prescriptions, or medical billing statements often falls outside the scope of a medical assistant's practice and usually requires the signature of a physician or another authorized healthcare provider.