NCMA CPCM EXAM 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ANSWERS
◉ Chief Complaint Abbreviation. Answer: CC
◉ History of Present Illness Abbreviation. Answer: HPI
◉ History of Present Illness Definition. Answer: This is an explanation
of the CC to determine the onset of the illness; associated symptoms;
what the patient has done to treat the condition, etc.
◉ Past, Family and Social History Abbreviation. Answer: PFSH
◉ Past Medical History Definition. Answer: Includes all health
problems, major illnesses, surgeries the patient has had, current
medications complete with reasons for taking them, and allergies.
◉ Family History Definition. Answer: Summary of health problems of
siblings, parents, and other blood relatives that could alert the physician
to hereditary and/or familial disease.
◉ Social History Definition. Answer: Includes marital status,
occupation, educational attainment, hobbies, use of alcohol, tobacco,
drugs, and lifestyles.
,◉ Review of Systems Abbreviation. Answer: ROS
◉ Review of Systems Definition. Answer: This is an orderly and
systematic check of each organ and system of the body by questions.
Both positive and pertinent negative findings are documented.
◉ 3 Body Processes Necessary for life are:. Answer: Body Temperature,
Respiration, Heart Function
◉ 4 Vital Signs of Body Function are:. Answer: Temperature, Pulse,
Respiration, Blood Pressure
◉ Define Body Temperature. Answer: Is a balance between heart
production and heart loss in conjunction with each other, maintained and
regulated by the hypothalamus.
◉ Thermometers. Answer: Are used to measure temperature using the
Fahrenheit and Centigrade or Celsius scale.
◉ Temperature Sites. Answer: Mouth, Rectum, Ear (Tympanic
Membrane), and the axilla (underarm).
◉ Normal Temperature Range for Rectal. Answer: 98.6F to 100.6F
37.0C to 38.1C
,◉ Normal Temperature Range for Oral. Answer: 97.6F to 99.6F
36.5C to 37.5C
◉ Normal Temperature Range for Axillary. Answer: 96.6F to 98.6F
35.9C to 37.0C
◉ Normal Temperature Range for Tympanic Membrane. Answer: 98.6 F
37 C
◉ Define Febrile. Answer: Presence of Fever
◉ Define Afebrile. Answer: Absence of Fever
◉ Define Fever. Answer: Elevated body temperature beyond normal
range.
◉ Intermittent Fever. Answer: Fluctuating fever that returns to or below
baseline then rises again.
◉ Remittent Fever. Answer: Fluctuating fever that remains elevated; it
does not return to baseline temperature.
, ◉ Continuous Fever. Answer: A fever that remains constant above the
baseline; it does not fluctuate.
◉ Oral Temperature. Answer: Is the most common method of
measurement.
◉ Oral Temperature is not taken from what patients:. Answer: -infants
and children less than six years old
-patients who has had surgery or facial, neck, nose, or mouth injury
-those receiving oxygen
-those with nasogastric tubes
-patients with convulsive seizure
-hemiplegic patients
-patients with altered mental status
◉ How long after a patient eats, smokes or drinks do you wait to take an
oral temperature?. Answer: 30 minutes
◉ When taking an oral temperature how long do you leave the
thermometer in the patient's mouth?. Answer: 3-5 minutes
◉ Rectal Temperature. Answer: Is taken when oral temperature is not
feasible.
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ANSWERS
◉ Chief Complaint Abbreviation. Answer: CC
◉ History of Present Illness Abbreviation. Answer: HPI
◉ History of Present Illness Definition. Answer: This is an explanation
of the CC to determine the onset of the illness; associated symptoms;
what the patient has done to treat the condition, etc.
◉ Past, Family and Social History Abbreviation. Answer: PFSH
◉ Past Medical History Definition. Answer: Includes all health
problems, major illnesses, surgeries the patient has had, current
medications complete with reasons for taking them, and allergies.
◉ Family History Definition. Answer: Summary of health problems of
siblings, parents, and other blood relatives that could alert the physician
to hereditary and/or familial disease.
◉ Social History Definition. Answer: Includes marital status,
occupation, educational attainment, hobbies, use of alcohol, tobacco,
drugs, and lifestyles.
,◉ Review of Systems Abbreviation. Answer: ROS
◉ Review of Systems Definition. Answer: This is an orderly and
systematic check of each organ and system of the body by questions.
Both positive and pertinent negative findings are documented.
◉ 3 Body Processes Necessary for life are:. Answer: Body Temperature,
Respiration, Heart Function
◉ 4 Vital Signs of Body Function are:. Answer: Temperature, Pulse,
Respiration, Blood Pressure
◉ Define Body Temperature. Answer: Is a balance between heart
production and heart loss in conjunction with each other, maintained and
regulated by the hypothalamus.
◉ Thermometers. Answer: Are used to measure temperature using the
Fahrenheit and Centigrade or Celsius scale.
◉ Temperature Sites. Answer: Mouth, Rectum, Ear (Tympanic
Membrane), and the axilla (underarm).
◉ Normal Temperature Range for Rectal. Answer: 98.6F to 100.6F
37.0C to 38.1C
,◉ Normal Temperature Range for Oral. Answer: 97.6F to 99.6F
36.5C to 37.5C
◉ Normal Temperature Range for Axillary. Answer: 96.6F to 98.6F
35.9C to 37.0C
◉ Normal Temperature Range for Tympanic Membrane. Answer: 98.6 F
37 C
◉ Define Febrile. Answer: Presence of Fever
◉ Define Afebrile. Answer: Absence of Fever
◉ Define Fever. Answer: Elevated body temperature beyond normal
range.
◉ Intermittent Fever. Answer: Fluctuating fever that returns to or below
baseline then rises again.
◉ Remittent Fever. Answer: Fluctuating fever that remains elevated; it
does not return to baseline temperature.
, ◉ Continuous Fever. Answer: A fever that remains constant above the
baseline; it does not fluctuate.
◉ Oral Temperature. Answer: Is the most common method of
measurement.
◉ Oral Temperature is not taken from what patients:. Answer: -infants
and children less than six years old
-patients who has had surgery or facial, neck, nose, or mouth injury
-those receiving oxygen
-those with nasogastric tubes
-patients with convulsive seizure
-hemiplegic patients
-patients with altered mental status
◉ How long after a patient eats, smokes or drinks do you wait to take an
oral temperature?. Answer: 30 minutes
◉ When taking an oral temperature how long do you leave the
thermometer in the patient's mouth?. Answer: 3-5 minutes
◉ Rectal Temperature. Answer: Is taken when oral temperature is not
feasible.
