Certified Medical Assistant Practice Exam

A stethoscope is required for a patient reporting which chief complaint?

1. Constipation and abdominal pain

2. Sore throat

3. Chest pain

4. Backache

The correct answer is: Constipation and abdominal pain

Chest pain is the correct answer because it is a common symptom associated with heart and lung problems, and a stethoscope is often used to listen to the heart and lung sounds. Constipation and abdominal pain are not typically related to the use of a stethoscope. Sore throat is usually assessed by visual inspection and does not involve using a stethoscope. Backache is usually associated with musculoskeletal problems and does not require the use of a stethoscope. As such, the stethoscope is only required for assessing the potential underlying causes of chest pain, making it the correct answer.