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NHA CCMA (CERTIFIED CLINICAL MEDICAL
ASSISTANT) CERTIFICATION ACTUAL EXAM
PREP 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERSWITH RATIONALES
ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT
FEEDBACK | NEW AND REVISED
Question 1
A medical assistant is measuring a patient’s blood pressure using a manual
sphygmomanometer. The assistant inflates the cuff to 180 mmHg and notes that
the first Korotkoff sound is heard at 142 mmHg and the sound disappears at 88
mmHg. How should the assistant document this reading?
A) 180/142
B) 142/88
C) 142/0
D) 88/142
Correct Answer: B – 142/88
Rationale: The first Korotkoff sound (Phase I) is systolic pressure. The point
where sound disappears (Phase V) is diastolic. Inflation to 180 is correct
technique but not part of reading.
Question 2
A patient reports chest discomfort and shortness of breath. The medical assistant
obtains an ECG showing ST-segment depression. Which condition is most
consistent with this finding?
A) Acute pericarditis
B) Myocardial ischemia
C) Normal variant
D) Left bundle branch block
Correct Answer: B – Myocardial ischemia
Rationale: ST depression (horizontal or downsloping) indicates subendocardial
ischemia. ST elevation suggests infarction. Pericarditis has diffuse ST elevation.
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Question 3
Which of the following is an appropriate site for obtaining a capillary blood gas
from an infant?
A) Lateral heel
B) Index finger
C) Great toe
D) Earlobe
Correct Answer: A – Lateral heel
*Rationale: In infants <1 year, the lateral plantar surface of the heel is preferred.
Puncture depth ≤2.0 mm to avoid bone. Fingers are used in older children/adults.*
Question 4
A medical assistant is preparing to administer an intradermal injection for allergy
testing. Which angle of insertion is correct?
A) 5 to 15 degrees
B) 25 to 30 degrees
C) 45 to 60 degrees
D) 90 degrees
Correct Answer: A – 5 to 15 degrees
Rationale: Intradermal injections are given nearly parallel to the skin, bevel up,
to place the medication just under the epidermis, creating a wheal.
Question 5
A patient calls the clinic asking for the results of a recent HIV test. The medical
assistant should:
A) Give the results over the phone if the patient can verify their birth date
B) Tell the patient to come in person to discuss results with the provider
C) Leave a voicemail with the results
D) Mail the results to the patient’s home address
Correct Answer: B – Tell the patient to come in person to discuss results with the
provider
Rationale: Sensitive test results (HIV, cancer, STIs) should be given in person or
via secure portal, not over unsecured phone lines or voicemail, to ensure privacy
and support.
Question 6
During a routine venipuncture, the patient suddenly becomes pale, diaphoretic, and
says, “I feel like I’m going to pass out.” What is the medical assistant’s priority
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action?
A) Complete the draw quickly and remove the needle
B) Remove the tourniquet and needle, and lower the patient’s head
C) Apply a cold cloth to the forehead
D) Elevate the patient’s legs above the heart
Correct Answer: B – Remove the tourniquet and needle, and lower the patient’s
head
Rationale: Immediate removal of the needle prevents injury during syncope.
Trendelenburg or head-low position increases cerebral blood flow.
Question 7
Which of the following tasks is outside the scope of practice for a certified clinical
medical assistant in most states?
A) Performing an ECG
B) Administering oral medications
C) Interpreting a chest X-ray
D) Collecting a throat swab for strep
Correct Answer: C – Interpreting a chest X-ray
Rationale: Interpretation of diagnostic imaging requires a radiologist or licensed
provider. CCMAs perform delegated technical tasks but not independent
interpretation.
Question 8
A medical assistant is using an autoclave to sterilize instruments. The biological
indicator (spore test) is positive after a cycle. The assistant should:
A) Use the instruments for sterile procedures
B) Reprocess the load and test again after repair
C) Increase the temperature for the next cycle
D) Discard all instruments in the load
Correct Answer: B – Reprocess the load and test again after repair
Rationale: Positive spore test indicates sterilization failure. The autoclave must
be serviced, then the load reprocessed and retested before use.
Question 9
A patient with type 2 diabetes has a fasting blood glucose of 55 mg/dL and is
conscious but confused. What is the medical assistant’s immediate action?
A) Administer 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g., orange juice)
B) Give 1 mg glucagon intramuscularly
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C) Call 911 immediately
D) Recheck glucose in 15 minutes
Correct Answer: A – Administer 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g.,
orange juice)
Rationale: Hypoglycemia with altered mental status but able to swallow safely
requires oral glucose. Glucagon is for unconsciousness or inability to swallow.
Question 10
When processing a urine sample for a drug screen that requires chain of custody,
which step is essential?
A) Flush the toilet before collection
B) Have the patient sign the specimen container seal
C) Keep the specimen at room temperature unsealed
D) Discard the first void of the day
Correct Answer: B – Have the patient sign the specimen container seal
Rationale: Chain of custody requires the donor to observe the sealing and sign
the form to confirm integrity. Toilet flushing is allowed; room temperature
storage is not recommended.
Question 11
A medical assistant is performing a 12-lead ECG and notices that lead II has
wandering baseline. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A) Patient movement or breathing
B) Loose electrode on right arm
C) Electrical interference from a phone
D) Left leg lead placed on ankle
Correct Answer: A – Patient movement or breathing
Rationale: Wandering baseline is typically caused by patient movement,
shivering, or irregular breathing. Loose electrodes cause artifact, not baseline
drift.
Question 12
A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which laboratory test should the
medical assistant ensure is monitored regularly?
A) PTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
NHA CCMA (CERTIFIED CLINICAL MEDICAL
ASSISTANT) CERTIFICATION ACTUAL EXAM
PREP 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERSWITH RATIONALES
ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT
FEEDBACK | NEW AND REVISED
Question 1
A medical assistant is measuring a patient’s blood pressure using a manual
sphygmomanometer. The assistant inflates the cuff to 180 mmHg and notes that
the first Korotkoff sound is heard at 142 mmHg and the sound disappears at 88
mmHg. How should the assistant document this reading?
A) 180/142
B) 142/88
C) 142/0
D) 88/142
Correct Answer: B – 142/88
Rationale: The first Korotkoff sound (Phase I) is systolic pressure. The point
where sound disappears (Phase V) is diastolic. Inflation to 180 is correct
technique but not part of reading.
Question 2
A patient reports chest discomfort and shortness of breath. The medical assistant
obtains an ECG showing ST-segment depression. Which condition is most
consistent with this finding?
A) Acute pericarditis
B) Myocardial ischemia
C) Normal variant
D) Left bundle branch block
Correct Answer: B – Myocardial ischemia
Rationale: ST depression (horizontal or downsloping) indicates subendocardial
ischemia. ST elevation suggests infarction. Pericarditis has diffuse ST elevation.
,2|Page
Question 3
Which of the following is an appropriate site for obtaining a capillary blood gas
from an infant?
A) Lateral heel
B) Index finger
C) Great toe
D) Earlobe
Correct Answer: A – Lateral heel
*Rationale: In infants <1 year, the lateral plantar surface of the heel is preferred.
Puncture depth ≤2.0 mm to avoid bone. Fingers are used in older children/adults.*
Question 4
A medical assistant is preparing to administer an intradermal injection for allergy
testing. Which angle of insertion is correct?
A) 5 to 15 degrees
B) 25 to 30 degrees
C) 45 to 60 degrees
D) 90 degrees
Correct Answer: A – 5 to 15 degrees
Rationale: Intradermal injections are given nearly parallel to the skin, bevel up,
to place the medication just under the epidermis, creating a wheal.
Question 5
A patient calls the clinic asking for the results of a recent HIV test. The medical
assistant should:
A) Give the results over the phone if the patient can verify their birth date
B) Tell the patient to come in person to discuss results with the provider
C) Leave a voicemail with the results
D) Mail the results to the patient’s home address
Correct Answer: B – Tell the patient to come in person to discuss results with the
provider
Rationale: Sensitive test results (HIV, cancer, STIs) should be given in person or
via secure portal, not over unsecured phone lines or voicemail, to ensure privacy
and support.
Question 6
During a routine venipuncture, the patient suddenly becomes pale, diaphoretic, and
says, “I feel like I’m going to pass out.” What is the medical assistant’s priority
,3|Page
action?
A) Complete the draw quickly and remove the needle
B) Remove the tourniquet and needle, and lower the patient’s head
C) Apply a cold cloth to the forehead
D) Elevate the patient’s legs above the heart
Correct Answer: B – Remove the tourniquet and needle, and lower the patient’s
head
Rationale: Immediate removal of the needle prevents injury during syncope.
Trendelenburg or head-low position increases cerebral blood flow.
Question 7
Which of the following tasks is outside the scope of practice for a certified clinical
medical assistant in most states?
A) Performing an ECG
B) Administering oral medications
C) Interpreting a chest X-ray
D) Collecting a throat swab for strep
Correct Answer: C – Interpreting a chest X-ray
Rationale: Interpretation of diagnostic imaging requires a radiologist or licensed
provider. CCMAs perform delegated technical tasks but not independent
interpretation.
Question 8
A medical assistant is using an autoclave to sterilize instruments. The biological
indicator (spore test) is positive after a cycle. The assistant should:
A) Use the instruments for sterile procedures
B) Reprocess the load and test again after repair
C) Increase the temperature for the next cycle
D) Discard all instruments in the load
Correct Answer: B – Reprocess the load and test again after repair
Rationale: Positive spore test indicates sterilization failure. The autoclave must
be serviced, then the load reprocessed and retested before use.
Question 9
A patient with type 2 diabetes has a fasting blood glucose of 55 mg/dL and is
conscious but confused. What is the medical assistant’s immediate action?
A) Administer 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g., orange juice)
B) Give 1 mg glucagon intramuscularly
, 4|Page
C) Call 911 immediately
D) Recheck glucose in 15 minutes
Correct Answer: A – Administer 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g.,
orange juice)
Rationale: Hypoglycemia with altered mental status but able to swallow safely
requires oral glucose. Glucagon is for unconsciousness or inability to swallow.
Question 10
When processing a urine sample for a drug screen that requires chain of custody,
which step is essential?
A) Flush the toilet before collection
B) Have the patient sign the specimen container seal
C) Keep the specimen at room temperature unsealed
D) Discard the first void of the day
Correct Answer: B – Have the patient sign the specimen container seal
Rationale: Chain of custody requires the donor to observe the sealing and sign
the form to confirm integrity. Toilet flushing is allowed; room temperature
storage is not recommended.
Question 11
A medical assistant is performing a 12-lead ECG and notices that lead II has
wandering baseline. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A) Patient movement or breathing
B) Loose electrode on right arm
C) Electrical interference from a phone
D) Left leg lead placed on ankle
Correct Answer: A – Patient movement or breathing
Rationale: Wandering baseline is typically caused by patient movement,
shivering, or irregular breathing. Loose electrodes cause artifact, not baseline
drift.
Question 12
A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which laboratory test should the
medical assistant ensure is monitored regularly?
A) PTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
