Which tasks are performed by Medical Assistants (MA)?

• A. Medical Assistants (MA) participate in patient introduction and appointment intake, collect vitals, drawing blood, injections, and performing EKGs.
• B. Medical doctors diagnose patients.
• C. Nurses perform surgeries.
• D. Pharmacists prescribe medications.

Answer: (A)

Medical assistants are trained to support both administrative and basic clinical tasks in a clinic under supervision. They commonly handle patient introduction and appointment intake—greeting the patient, confirming demographics, and preparing for the visit. They also collect vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature to help assess the patient’s status. In the clinical realm, they may perform venipuncture to draw blood, administer injections within their training and protocol, and run electrocardiograms (EKGs) to check heart rhythm. These duties align with the MA role as a versatile support professional who handles routine procedures and patient flow, but they do not diagnose illnesses, perform surgeries, or prescribe medications, which are responsibilities of physicians, surgeons, and pharmacists, respectively. Note that the exact tasks can vary by state and employer and may require specific certification.