NHA CCMA Exam Questions and
Answers 2026 | Certified Clinical
Medical Assistant Study Guide |
EXAM
Question 1
A medical assistant is administering heparin subcutaneously to a
patient. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
A) Spread the skin taut over the injection site
B) Insert the needle at a 30° angle
C) Inject the medication slowly
D) Massage the site after removing the needle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heparin should be injected slowly to minimize tissue
damage and discomfort. The skin should be pinched (not spread
taut) for subcutaneous injections, the needle is inserted at a 45-
90° angle (not 30°), and the site should NOT be massaged after
injection as this can cause hematoma formation .
,Question 2
Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic
examination?
A) Lithotomy
B) Prone
C) Supine
D) High-Fowler's
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The lithotomy position (patient lying on back with hips
at edge of table, knees flexed, feet in stirrups) is the standard
position for pelvic examinations and Pap tests .
Question 3
A patient's blood pressure reads 148/96 mmHg. What should the
MA do first?
A) Notify the provider
B) Ask the patient if they exercised recently
C) Recheck the blood pressure manually
D) Document and continue the visit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Always recheck an abnormal blood pressure reading
manually before reporting it to the provider. This confirms
accuracy and prevents unnecessary interventions based on a
potentially erroneous reading .
,Question 4
How should a CCMA measure a patient's apical pulse?
A) Place the stethoscope at the second intercostal space at the
sternal border
B) Place the stethoscope at the fifth intercostal space at the
midclavicular line
C) Palpate the radial artery with two fingers
D) Use the bell of the stethoscope at the carotid artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The apical pulse is measured by placing the
stethoscope over the apex of the heart, located at the fifth
intercostal space at the midclavicular line (also known as the
mitral or PMI point) .
Question 5
A first-time patient is late arriving to the office. Which of the
following should the CCMA say first?
A) "You're late for your appointment"
B) "Please check in at the window"
C) "Hello. Welcome to our office."
D) "Do you have your insurance card?"
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Clients should be greeted and welcomed before
checking in, making appointments, or checking on a bill. The
initial greeting should be warm and professional .
Question 6
An adolescent child is covered by two insurance policies under
her married parents. In order to determine the primary policy,
which of the following should the CCMA obtain?
A) The policy of the parent with the higher income
B) The policy of the parent with the earliest birth month
C) The policy that was purchased first
D) The policy of the parent with custody
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to the "birthday rule" used by third-party
payers, the primary insurance for a dependent child is the policy
of the parent whose birthday (month and day) comes first in the
calendar year .
Question 7
A patient reports she weighs 110 lb. How much does the patient
weigh in kg?
A) 40 kg
B) 45 kg
Answers 2026 | Certified Clinical
Medical Assistant Study Guide |
EXAM
Question 1
A medical assistant is administering heparin subcutaneously to a
patient. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
A) Spread the skin taut over the injection site
B) Insert the needle at a 30° angle
C) Inject the medication slowly
D) Massage the site after removing the needle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heparin should be injected slowly to minimize tissue
damage and discomfort. The skin should be pinched (not spread
taut) for subcutaneous injections, the needle is inserted at a 45-
90° angle (not 30°), and the site should NOT be massaged after
injection as this can cause hematoma formation .
,Question 2
Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic
examination?
A) Lithotomy
B) Prone
C) Supine
D) High-Fowler's
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The lithotomy position (patient lying on back with hips
at edge of table, knees flexed, feet in stirrups) is the standard
position for pelvic examinations and Pap tests .
Question 3
A patient's blood pressure reads 148/96 mmHg. What should the
MA do first?
A) Notify the provider
B) Ask the patient if they exercised recently
C) Recheck the blood pressure manually
D) Document and continue the visit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Always recheck an abnormal blood pressure reading
manually before reporting it to the provider. This confirms
accuracy and prevents unnecessary interventions based on a
potentially erroneous reading .
,Question 4
How should a CCMA measure a patient's apical pulse?
A) Place the stethoscope at the second intercostal space at the
sternal border
B) Place the stethoscope at the fifth intercostal space at the
midclavicular line
C) Palpate the radial artery with two fingers
D) Use the bell of the stethoscope at the carotid artery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The apical pulse is measured by placing the
stethoscope over the apex of the heart, located at the fifth
intercostal space at the midclavicular line (also known as the
mitral or PMI point) .
Question 5
A first-time patient is late arriving to the office. Which of the
following should the CCMA say first?
A) "You're late for your appointment"
B) "Please check in at the window"
C) "Hello. Welcome to our office."
D) "Do you have your insurance card?"
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Clients should be greeted and welcomed before
checking in, making appointments, or checking on a bill. The
initial greeting should be warm and professional .
Question 6
An adolescent child is covered by two insurance policies under
her married parents. In order to determine the primary policy,
which of the following should the CCMA obtain?
A) The policy of the parent with the higher income
B) The policy of the parent with the earliest birth month
C) The policy that was purchased first
D) The policy of the parent with custody
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to the "birthday rule" used by third-party
payers, the primary insurance for a dependent child is the policy
of the parent whose birthday (month and day) comes first in the
calendar year .
Question 7
A patient reports she weighs 110 lb. How much does the patient
weigh in kg?
A) 40 kg
B) 45 kg
