NHA CCMA Exam 2026 Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Practice Questions
& Verified Answers.
Domain 1: Foundational Knowledge & Basic Science (10%)
(Questions 1–14)
1. A medical assistant uses the term "dyspnea" when speaking with a provider.
Which of the following descriptions corresponds with this term?
A) Rapid heart rate
B) Difficulty breathing
C) High blood pressure
D) Chest pain
Answer: B
Rationale: Dyspnea is the medical term for difficult or labored breathing .
Tachycardia (A) is rapid heart rate. Hypertension (C) is high blood pressure.
Angina (D) is chest pain.
2. Prior to a patient's follow-up appointment, which of the following should the
medical assistant report to the provider?
A) Preferred appointment time
,B) Insurance coverage details
C) Recent laboratory results
D) Transportation barriers
Answer: C
Rationale: Recent laboratory results are critical clinical data that directly affect the
provider's diagnostic and treatment decisions for the visit .
3. A patient calls the clinic to cancel a postoperative appointment and says they
will reschedule later. Why should the medical assistant document this
information?
A) To prove the office was not negligent
B) To track no-show fees
C) To update the patient's address
D) To schedule a replacement patient
Answer: A
Rationale: Documenting cancellations initiated by the patient provides legal
protection, demonstrating that the provider was not negligent in follow-up care .
,4. A patient loses consciousness and the EKG shows ventricular fibrillation. What
is the first action?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Start an IV line
C) Call for help and begin CPR
D) Prepare the defibrillator
Answer: C
Rationale: In ventricular fibrillation, immediate CPR and activation of the
emergency response system are critical before defibrillation .
5. An MA is reinforcing teaching about pulse oximetry. Which statement should
be included?
A) "Keep your hand below heart level"
B) "Remove your nail polish before the test"
C) "Eat a heavy meal before the test"
D) "Hold your breath during the reading"
Answer: B
, Rationale: Nail polish and artificial nails can interfere with light transmission,
causing inaccurate pulse oximetry readings .
6. Which of the following is outside a medical assistant's scope of practice?
A) Preparing tissue specimens
B) Performing EKGs
C) Ordering additional laboratory tests
D) Administering injections
Answer: C
Rationale: Medical assistants cannot order diagnostic tests; only licensed
providers (physicians, NPs, PAs) have that authority .
7. The parent of a child with pinworms asks for information about the condition.
The MA should explain that pinworms are which type of micro-organism?
A) Bacteria
B) Viruses
C) Fungi
D) Helminths
& Verified Answers.
Domain 1: Foundational Knowledge & Basic Science (10%)
(Questions 1–14)
1. A medical assistant uses the term "dyspnea" when speaking with a provider.
Which of the following descriptions corresponds with this term?
A) Rapid heart rate
B) Difficulty breathing
C) High blood pressure
D) Chest pain
Answer: B
Rationale: Dyspnea is the medical term for difficult or labored breathing .
Tachycardia (A) is rapid heart rate. Hypertension (C) is high blood pressure.
Angina (D) is chest pain.
2. Prior to a patient's follow-up appointment, which of the following should the
medical assistant report to the provider?
A) Preferred appointment time
,B) Insurance coverage details
C) Recent laboratory results
D) Transportation barriers
Answer: C
Rationale: Recent laboratory results are critical clinical data that directly affect the
provider's diagnostic and treatment decisions for the visit .
3. A patient calls the clinic to cancel a postoperative appointment and says they
will reschedule later. Why should the medical assistant document this
information?
A) To prove the office was not negligent
B) To track no-show fees
C) To update the patient's address
D) To schedule a replacement patient
Answer: A
Rationale: Documenting cancellations initiated by the patient provides legal
protection, demonstrating that the provider was not negligent in follow-up care .
,4. A patient loses consciousness and the EKG shows ventricular fibrillation. What
is the first action?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Start an IV line
C) Call for help and begin CPR
D) Prepare the defibrillator
Answer: C
Rationale: In ventricular fibrillation, immediate CPR and activation of the
emergency response system are critical before defibrillation .
5. An MA is reinforcing teaching about pulse oximetry. Which statement should
be included?
A) "Keep your hand below heart level"
B) "Remove your nail polish before the test"
C) "Eat a heavy meal before the test"
D) "Hold your breath during the reading"
Answer: B
, Rationale: Nail polish and artificial nails can interfere with light transmission,
causing inaccurate pulse oximetry readings .
6. Which of the following is outside a medical assistant's scope of practice?
A) Preparing tissue specimens
B) Performing EKGs
C) Ordering additional laboratory tests
D) Administering injections
Answer: C
Rationale: Medical assistants cannot order diagnostic tests; only licensed
providers (physicians, NPs, PAs) have that authority .
7. The parent of a child with pinworms asks for information about the condition.
The MA should explain that pinworms are which type of micro-organism?
A) Bacteria
B) Viruses
C) Fungi
D) Helminths
