Which of the following cardiac procedures is within a medical assistant's scope of practice and does not require a licensed technician or provider to assist with or perform the procedure?

The application of a Holter monitor is a procedure that falls within a medical assistant's scope of practice. This task typically involves applying electrodes to the patient’s skin and attaching the Holter monitor, which is a portable device used to continuously monitor heart rhythms for a prescribed period, usually 24 to 48 hours. A medical assistant can perform this procedure since it requires basic training and skills related to patient care and electrical activity of the heart.

Unlike the Holter monitor application, procedures like angioplasty and cardiac catheterization are more complex and invasive, requiring specialized training, expertise, and often the presence of a licensed healthcare professional such as a cardiologist or technician. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) may also be performed by medical assistants, but the Holter monitor application is distinctly noted for its simplicity and the fact that it is typically done without the need for more advanced technical support.