Which of the following is not permitted to be done by a medical assistant in Massachusetts?

Interpreting microscopic sedimentation is not permitted for medical assistants in Massachusetts because this task requires a level of analysis and clinical judgment that falls outside the scope of practice for medical assistants. This role primarily involves tasks that support the healthcare team but does not include interpreting or diagnosing results based on complex laboratory findings, which are typically reserved for licensed professionals such as nurses or physicians.

In contrast, reading urine specific gravity, performing blood glucose tests, and collecting urine samples are all tasks within the acceptable scope of practice for medical assistants. These tasks involve straightforward procedures and measurements that assist in patient care but do not require the nuanced interpretation of results that microscopic analysis demands.