NHA CCMA Exam 2026 Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Practice Questions
& Verified Answers.
Section 1: Patient Intake & Vital Signs (Questions 1–20)
1. A patient’s blood pressure is 148/94 mm Hg. This falls into which category
according to the ACC/AHA guidelines?
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Hypertensive crisis
Answer: C
*Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as BP 130–139/80–89 mm Hg or
higher. 148/94 meets this. Elevated is 120–129/<80. Hypertensive crisis is
≥180/≥120.*
2. What is the normal range for an adult oral temperature?
A) 96.2–97.6°F
B) 97.7–99.5°F
C) 99.6–100.9°F
,D) 95.0–96.1°F
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal oral temperature is typically 97.7–99.5°F (36.5–37.5°C).
3. When taking a patient’s pulse, you note an irregular rhythm. What should you
do?
A) Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
B) Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2
C) Count for 60 seconds (full minute)
D) Use a Doppler device
Answer: C
Rationale: For irregular rhythms, count for a full 60 seconds to improve accuracy.
4. Which Korotkoff sound indicates the diastolic pressure in adults?
A) First tapping sound
B) Swishing sound
C) Muffling sound
,D) Disappearance of sound
Answer: D
Rationale: Phase V (disappearance) is used for diastolic BP in adults. Phase IV
(muffling) is used in children or high cardiac output states.
5. A patient’s respiratory rate is 28 breaths/min. This is documented as:
A) Bradypnea
B) Eupnea
C) Tachypnea
D) Apnea
Answer: C
*Rationale: Normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20. Tachypnea is >20
breaths/min.*
6. Which pulse site is most commonly used to assess heart rate in an adult?
A) Brachial
B) Carotid
C) Radial
, D) Femoral
Answer: C
Rationale: The radial artery at the wrist is the most common non-emergency site.
7. The medical assistant instructs a patient to place the thermometer probe under
the tongue and close their lips. This is which method?
A) Axillary
B) Tympanic
C) Oral
D) Temporal
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual placement is oral temperature measurement.
8. A patient’s O2 saturation is 88% on room air. What should the MA do first?
A) Apply oxygen at 2 L/min
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Check the probe placement
& Verified Answers.
Section 1: Patient Intake & Vital Signs (Questions 1–20)
1. A patient’s blood pressure is 148/94 mm Hg. This falls into which category
according to the ACC/AHA guidelines?
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 hypertension
D) Hypertensive crisis
Answer: C
*Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as BP 130–139/80–89 mm Hg or
higher. 148/94 meets this. Elevated is 120–129/<80. Hypertensive crisis is
≥180/≥120.*
2. What is the normal range for an adult oral temperature?
A) 96.2–97.6°F
B) 97.7–99.5°F
C) 99.6–100.9°F
,D) 95.0–96.1°F
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal oral temperature is typically 97.7–99.5°F (36.5–37.5°C).
3. When taking a patient’s pulse, you note an irregular rhythm. What should you
do?
A) Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
B) Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2
C) Count for 60 seconds (full minute)
D) Use a Doppler device
Answer: C
Rationale: For irregular rhythms, count for a full 60 seconds to improve accuracy.
4. Which Korotkoff sound indicates the diastolic pressure in adults?
A) First tapping sound
B) Swishing sound
C) Muffling sound
,D) Disappearance of sound
Answer: D
Rationale: Phase V (disappearance) is used for diastolic BP in adults. Phase IV
(muffling) is used in children or high cardiac output states.
5. A patient’s respiratory rate is 28 breaths/min. This is documented as:
A) Bradypnea
B) Eupnea
C) Tachypnea
D) Apnea
Answer: C
*Rationale: Normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20. Tachypnea is >20
breaths/min.*
6. Which pulse site is most commonly used to assess heart rate in an adult?
A) Brachial
B) Carotid
C) Radial
, D) Femoral
Answer: C
Rationale: The radial artery at the wrist is the most common non-emergency site.
7. The medical assistant instructs a patient to place the thermometer probe under
the tongue and close their lips. This is which method?
A) Axillary
B) Tympanic
C) Oral
D) Temporal
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual placement is oral temperature measurement.
8. A patient’s O2 saturation is 88% on room air. What should the MA do first?
A) Apply oxygen at 2 L/min
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Check the probe placement
