NHA: Medical Assistant(CCMA)
Certification Practice Test 2.0 A
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has congestive heart failure (CHF)
for an examination by the provider. Which of the following manifestations should
the assistant expect? – ~ANSWER
Shortness of breath (SOB)
Expected manifestations of CHF include shortness of breath, fatigue, and edema
When measuring a patients respiratory rate, which of the following actions should
a medical assistant take to ensure an accurate reading? – ~ANSWER
Count the respiration’s while the patient thinks his pulse is being obtained.
In order to obtain the most accurate reading, the assistant should count the
respirations without the patient being aware that his breathing is being assessed.
The patient can easily control or alter breathing patterns when he is conscious
that the assistant is paying attention to his respirations.
Which of the following laboratory results should the medical assistant recognize is
abnormal? – ~ANSWER Potassium 3
mEq/L
This potassium level is below the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L.
A provider has requested a dissecting instrument on a sterile tray that a medical
assistant is preparing. Which of the following instruments should the assistant
include on the tray? – ~ANSWER
Scissors
Scissors are considered cutting and dissecting instruments because they include a
sharp blade or surface that can cut, dissect, or scrape.
A medical assistant is replacing a sharps container in an examination room and
receives a small laceration on her arm from the plastic lid. Which of the following
types of documentation should the assistant complete as a result of this incident?
- ~ANSWER OSHA Form 301
The assistant should recognize that the OSHA Form 301 is an incident report used
when reporting details about a work-related injury or illness.
A medical assistant is reviewing a patient’s history prior to the patient’s
appointment. Which of the following laboratory results indicates the need to
schedule an extension of the current visit? – ~ANSWER
Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL
This fasting blood glucose level is above the expected reference range of 70 to
130 mg/dL. The assistant should notify the provider and schedule an extension of
the patient’s visit.
A medical assistant is reinforcing instructions with a patient about how to take a
buccal tablet.which of the following instructions should the assistant give the
patient? – ~ANSWER “Place the tablet
between you or gums and cheek.”
The assistant should instruct the patient to place the buccal tablet between his
gums and his cheek. A buccal tablet acts faster than oral tablets because it does
not need to pass through the gastrointestinal tract to be absorbed.
Which of the following terms should a medical assistant use to tell a provider that
a patient is having discomfort and difficulty breathing? – ~ANSWER
Dyspnea
Dyspnea is a term used to indicate that a patient is experiencing difficult or
painful breathing.
Which of the following methods is used to notify a provider of the denial of a
claim by an insurance carrier? – ~ANSWER
Remittance advice
A remittance advice document itemizes all paid, denied, and allowable charges for
a patient. This document notifies the provider of any and all claim denials.
Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic exam? – ~ANSWER
Lithotomy
The lithotomy position is appropriate for pelvic examinations.
Which of the following cardiac procedures is within a medical assistants scope of
practice and does not require a licensed technician or provider to assist or
perform it? – ~ANSWER Holter
monitor application
A Holter monitor is a system for recording cardiac activity for 24 hr or longer. It is
within an assistant’s scope of practice to place and remove a Holter monitor.
NHA: Medical Assistant
(CCMA) Certification
Practice Test 2.0 C
A medical assistant is collecting a urine specimen from a patient for a drug
screening. Which of the following actions should the assistant take to adhere to
the chain of custody for this specimen? – ~ANSWER
Send the specimen to the testing laboratory on the same day as the collection.
A medical assistant is preparing to collect a patient’s temperature via the
tympanic membrane. In which of the following locations should the assistant
place the thermometer? – ~ANSWER In the
ear
The tympanic membrane is located in the ear canal.
When preparing a patient for Holter monitoring, which of the following actions
should a medical assistant take? – ~ANSWER
Vigorously dry the patient’s skin prior to electrode placement.
A medical assistant should complete documentation in a patient’s medical record
at which of the following times? – ~ANSWER
Immediately following the procedure.
Wen should the code on glucose curettes be compared to the code on the
glucometer? – ~ANSWER Before a patient
is tested.
Which of the following terms should a medical assistant use to tell a provider that
a patient is having discomfort and difficulty breathing? – ~ANSWER
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing
A medical assistant is reviewing a provider’s instructions as the patient is
preparing to leave the office. The provider recommends that the patient purchase
an over-the-counter antitussive, but the patient tells the assistant that she does
not know what an antitussive is. Which of the following responses should the
assistant make? – ~ANSWER It is a
medication that suppresses the cough reflex.
Which of the following stages of the cardiac cycle on an EKG strip represents
ventricular depolarization? – ~ANSWER
QRS complex
The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization (VD).
A medical assistant is speaking with a patient who has seasonal allergies. Which of
the following health care providers should the assistant identify as being able to
make a diagnosis and initiate the necessary treatment? – ~ANSWER
physician assistant
A medical assistant is to use the Snellen chart to test an adult patients visual
activity. The assistant should instruct the patient to stand which of the following
distances away? – ~ANSWER 20 feet
Which of the following types of written correspondence can be signed by a
medical assistant? – ~ANSWER A
notification letter to a patient about surgery arrangements.
An assistant can sign a notification letter to a patient about surgery and medical
facility arrangements.
A medical assistant is measuring the circumference of an infants head. Which of
the following actions should the assistant take? – ~ANSWER
Place the zero mark of the measuring tape against the infants forehead.
A medical assistant is checking a patients hearing using the Rinne test. Which of
the following actions should the assistant take? – ~ANSWER
Ask the patient to raise his hand when he no longer hears any sound.
A medical assistant is examining the skin on a patients forearm where the patient
reports developing a rash. The assistant notes multiple solid elevations that are
less than 0.5 cm (0.2 in) in diameter. Which of the following terms should he use
to document his observation in the patients medical record? – ~ANSWER
Papules
Papules are solid elevations that are less than 0.5 cm (0.2 in) in diameter. A
common cause is allergic eczema.
NHA: Medical Assistant
(CCMA) Certification
Practice Test 2.0 B
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has bilateral below the knee
amputations fo an EKG. Which of the following sites should the assistant select for
electrode placement? – ~ANSWER
Abdomen
The assistant should place the electrodes on the abdomen or thighs of a person
who has a below the knee amputation.
A medical assistant is faxing a prescription to a patient’s pharmacy. Which of the
following actions should the assistant take? – ~ANSWER
Call the pharmacy to confirm receipt on the faxed prescription.
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient who is scheduled for a
standard 12 lead EKG. Which of the following statements should the assistant
make? – ~ANSWER you
should refrain from talking during the procedure.
Where do cardiac electrical impulses originate in the heart? – ~ANSWER
sinoatrial node
Which of the following laboratory results should the medical assistant recognize is
abnormal? – ~ANSWER
Potassium 3 mEq/L
A medical assistant needs to type a professional business letter from the office.
Which of the following formats is appropriate? – ~ANSWER
keep flush with the left margin
A provider has requested a dissecting instrument on a sterile tray that a medical
assistant is preparing. Which of the following instruments should the assistant
include on the tray? – ~ANSWER
scissors
NHA MEDICAL ASSISTANT (CCMA)
CERTIFICATION PRACTICE TEST 2.0
(150 QUESTIONS)
The laboratory report on a patient indicates a hemoglobin level of 7g/dL. Which
of the following is the first action for the medical assistant to take? Notify patient,
Inform the patient, Record the results in the medical record, Repeat the test to
insure accuracy. – ~ANSWER Notify the
Provider ( Because the results indicate a critically low level of hemoglobin level,
the assistant should notify the provider).
A medical assistant is preparing a patient to have cryosurgery following an
abnormal Papanicolaou test. Which of the following statements should the
assistant make to explain the procedure? Cyrosurgery is a laser surgery that kills
the abnormal cells, involves a probe that cauterizes and kill abnormal cells,
involves an extremely cold probe to freeze and kill abnormal cells. – ~ANSWER
“Cryosurgery involves an extremely cold probe to freeze and kill abnormal cells.”
(This is an accurate description of cryosurgery, which involves a low-temperature
probe to freeze tissue to destroy abnormal cells.
Which of the following dressing should la medical assistant use on a partialthickness burn? skin closure application, non adherent dressing, lubricated mesh
gauze, sterile gauze dressing – ~ANSWER
Nonadherent dressing
(This type of dressing allows the wound to be exposed to air and heal).
Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic examination?
lithotomy, prone, supine, high flowers – ~ANSWER
Lithotomy Position
A medical assistant receives a call from a patient requesting a refill for fentanyl
patches for chronic pain. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
call the prescription in to the patient’s pharmacy, tell the patient to schedule an
office visit, fax the prescription to the patients pharmacy, refer the patients
request to the provider. – ~ANSWER
Refer the patients’s request to the provider.
(The assistant should recognize the fentanyl as a Schedule || drug that requires a
written prescription from the provider. The first step when reviewing a refill
request is to contact the provider.
A medical assistant is preparing to create a report about patient who have a
family history of breast cancer. Which of the following types of software will allow
the assistant to sort, retrieve, and combine information for this report?
accounting and billing, appointment scheduling, word processor, data base
management – ~ANSWER Database
management
(The assistant should use database management system to sort and retrieve
information quickly . A database allows the assistant to track specific information
and create customized applications to sort the information and create reports.
A medical assistant receives a telephone call form a patient who is hesitant about
discussing a new medical concern unless the conversation is with a provider. The
assistant should use which of the following techniques to address the patients
reluctance? tell the patient he has nothing to worry about, ask the patient why he
does not trust the assistant, use reflective statement to recognize patient
concerns, provide examples of other patients who has similar concerns –
~ANSWER Use a reflective statement to
recognize the patients’ concerns.
(Reflection is an active listening technique that demonstrates to the patient that
the assistant is listening to what is being said and is taking the patients feelings
into consideration. The assistant should use this communication technique to
express recognition of the patients concerns).
Which of the following items in a medical office are considered administrative
office supplies? computers, telephones and chairs | letterhead , envelopes, and
business cards | exam paper, stethoscope, and otoscope | File cabinets, storage
bins, and shelves for record. – ~ANSWER
Letterhead, envelopes, and business cards
(Letterhead, envelopes, business cards, stationary, copy paper, pens and pencils
are considered administrative office supplies necessary for the admin of the
practice).
CCMA Practice test 2.0 B
2023/2024
Which of the following cell structures is instrumental in helping the body mobilize
and secrete mucus from the respiratory tract ? – ~ANSWER
cilia
Which of the following routes of administration should a medical assistant use
performing a tuberculin skin test ? – ~ANSWER
Interadermal
A medical assistant is collecting data from a patient who has cold sores on his lips.
The assistant should identify that which of the following viruses causes this
condition ? – ~ANSWER
herpes simplex type 1
A medical assistant is replacing a sharps container in an examination room and
receives a small laceration on her arm from the plastic lid. Which of the following
types of documentation should the assistant complete as a result of this
incident ? – ~ANSWER OSHA
Form 301
Which of the following items included on the CMS-150 claim from should a
medical assistant recognize as indicating the medical necessity of procedure? –
~ANSWER Diagnosis code
A medical assistant requests that a patient pay her insurance copayment at the
time she arrives for her appointment. The patient becomes defensive as ask why
should pay for care she has not yet received. Which of the following responses
should the medical assistant make ? – ~ANSWER
“I understand you’re concerned, so you’re welcome to pay at the end of your
appointment.”
A medical assistant should identify that which of the following vitamins is fat
soluble? – ~ANSWER Vitamin
A
A patient who has vulvovaginal candidiasis asks a medical assistant for more
information about her infection. The assistant should begin by explaining that
candidiasis is which of the following types of infection? – ~ANSWER
Fungal
Where do cardiac electrical impulses originate in the heart? – ~ANSWER
sinoatrial node
A medical assistant receives a call from a patient requesting a refill for fentanyl
patches for chronic pain. Which of the following actions should the assistant
take ? – ~ANSWER refer the
patients request to the provider
When assistant a provider with a punch biopsy of a mole. Which of the following
tasks should a medical assistant expect to perform ? – ~ANSWER
Receive and prepare tissue specimens for processing
A medical assistant is reinforcing teaching with a patient about pulse oximerty.
Which of the following statements should the assistant include in the teaching? –
~ANSWER “Remove your nail
polish before the.”
A medical assistant is caring for an infant who suddenly becomes unresponsive
for unknown reasons. Which of the following actions should the assistant take ? –
~ANSWER Initiate
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
A patient informs a medical assistant that he gets headaches when he reads from
a computer monitor. The assistant should place this information in which of the
following locations when using the SOPA approach to organizing medical records?
- ~ANSWER Subjective
A medical assistant is cleaning countertops and other surfaces after a surgical
procedure in a provider’s office. Which of the following disinfectants should the
assistant use for this purpose? – ~ANSWER
A 1:10 bleach and water solution
Which of the following terms refers to the range of fees charged by provider who
have similar training and experience and practice in the same geographical area ? - ~ANSWER Customary
CCMA 2.0 Practice Test revised
2023/2024
A MA is reinforcing instructions with a patient about how to take a buccal tablet.
Which of the following instructions should the Assistant give the Patient? –
~ANSWER Place the tablet between your
gums and cheeks
A MA is preparing a patient who has psoriasis to be examined by the provider.
When inspecting the patients skin lesions, the assistant should expect to observe
which of the following characteristics. – ~ANSWER
Silver, crusty
A Patient requests a female provider to preform her examination due to religious
Beliefs. A female provider is not available. Which of the following is the correct
response by the MA – ~ANSWER Assist
the patient in locating a provider to accommodate the patient’s needs
Which of the following types of written correspondence can be signed by a MA? –
~ANSWER A notification letter to a patient
about surgery arrangement
Which of the following pieces of legislation keeps health care staff safe from
retaliation by their employees when they report cases of patient neglect and
abuse? – ~ANSWER Whistleblower
Protection Act
A MA is reviewing laboratory requisitions. For which of the following patient
conditions should the assistant preform a capillary collection rather then a
venipuncture? – ~ANSWER Previous
thromboses
A MA is measuring the circumference of an infants head. Which of the following
actions should the assistant take ? – ~ANSWER
Place the zero mark of the measuring tape against the infants forehead.
which of the following is a MA’s role in pulmonary function testing? – ~ANSWER
Coach the patient through the test.
Which of the following items in a medical office are considered administrative
office supplies? – ~ANSWER Letter head,
Envelopes, and Business Cards
A MA is composing business business correspondence using the simplified letter
style. Which of the following features should the assistant use. – ~ANSWER
A subject line in all capital letters
A MA is performing a review of items in a clinics inventory. How should the
Assistant clarify dressings and bandages for inventory purposes? – ~ANSWER
As clinical supplies
A MA is caring for a child who has Varicella Zoster Virus. The Assistant should
recognize that Varicella is transferred through which of the following modes of
transmissions? – ~ANSWER Airborne
When completing documentation in a patient’s paper medical record, A MA
realizes she made a error. Which of the following actions should the assistant
take? – ~ANSWER Draw a line through
the error and initial it
A Patient asks a MA to explain the difference between a liniment and a medicated
lotion. Which of the following responses should the assistant make? – ~ANSWER
Liniments contain a higher portion of oil than medicated lotions.
A MA is measuring the vital signs of an adult patient. The Assistant should identify
which of the following Blood pressure readings as Stage 2 hypertension? –
~ANSWER 150/95 mm Hg
According to OSHA guidelines for universal precautions, Which of the following
types of patient contact would require a MA to wear gloves, a mask, a face shield
and protective apparel – ~ANSWER
Assisting a provider with the removal of a cyst
A MA is reinforcing teaching with a patient about pulse oximetry. Which of the
following statements should the assistant include in the teaching? – ~ANSWER
Remove your nail polish before the test.