Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) (NAHP) Practice Exam

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Study for the Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant Exam. Prepare with interactive quizzes and multiple-choice questions that come with helpful hints and explanations. Get ready to earn your certification with confidence!

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What is the opposite of superficial?

External
Peripheral
Deep
Eternal

The correct answer is: Deep

Superficial means “existing on the surface” or “apparent rather than actual”. For example, a person can have a superficial wound on the skin or have a superficial understanding of a topic. The opposite of this is something that is not just on the surface but goes below or beyond it. Therefore, the correct opposite for superficial is C deep. Option A: External could be interpreted as the opposite of superficial since it also refers to something on the outside. However, external does not necessarily imply depth or going beyond the surface. It can also refer to something being outside or separate from something else. Option B: Peripheral means “relating to, situated on, or affecting a part of something”. While superficial can also refer to something being a part of something else, the main defining characteristic is that it is on the surface. Therefore, peripheral is not the opposite of superficial.