CERTIFID CLINICAL MEDICAL
ASSISTANT 2026 NHA
Question 1. Located near the back of the body, this body cavity is a
continuous internal opening that includes the cranial and spinal cavities.
A. Posterior (dorsal) cavity
B. Transverse plane
C. Pelvic cavity
D. Abdominal cavity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The dorsal (posterior) cavity is a continuous internal opening
that contains the cranial cavity (brain) and the spinal cavity (spinal
cord). The transverse plane divides the body into upper and lower
portions, while the pelvic and abdominal cavities are part of the ventral
cavity.
Question 2. What is the space inside the skull that houses the brain?
A. Nasal cavity
B. Cranial cavity
C. Thoracic cavity
D. Orbital cavity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The cranial cavity is the space inside the skull that contains
and protects the brain. The thoracic cavity contains the heart and lungs;
the orbital cavity contains the eyes.
,Question 3. Which of the following is considered a parasitic infection?
A. Lyme disease
B. Rabies
C. Ringworm
D. Malaria
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites (Plasmodium
species) transmitted by mosquitoes. Lyme disease is bacterial, rabies is
viral, and ringworm is a fungal infection.
Question 4. Aspirin and acetaminophen are examples of:
A. Analgesics and antipyretics
B. Antitussives and decongestants
C. Antihistamines and antiemetics
D. Antidotes and antibiotics
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aspirin and acetaminophen relieve pain (analgesics) and
reduce fever (antipyretics). They do not act as antitussives,
decongestants, antihistamines, or antibiotics.
Question 5. A structure that is composed of two or more tissue types is
called a/an:
A. System
B. Organism
C. Organ
D. Cell
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Organs are composed of two or more tissue types working
together for a common function. Cells are the basic unit of life, tissues
are groups of similar cells, and an organism is a living individual.
,Question 6. Cellular respiration is a function of the:
A. Cell membrane
B. Mitochondria
C. Golgi apparatus
D. Nucleus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitochondria are the "powerhouses" of the cell, responsible
for cellular respiration and ATP production. The cell membrane controls
transport, the Golgi apparatus packages proteins, and the nucleus
contains genetic material.
Question 7. The average normal resting heart rate is:
A. Greater than 100 beats per minute
B. About 72 beats per minute
C. Less than 60 beats per minute
D. Greater than 81 beats per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal resting heart rate for adults is 60–100 bpm, with
72 bpm being a typical average. Rates below 60 indicate bradycardia,
and rates above 100 indicate tachycardia.
Question 8. Diaphoresis is another term for:
A. Sweating
B. Low blood pressure
C. Diarrhea
D. Prolonged fever
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Diaphoresis refers to excessive sweating, often associated
with cardiovascular disorders, shock, or fever. It is a clinical sign that
may indicate an underlying medical condition requiring assessment.
, Question 9. A tympanic thermometer measures temperature:
A. Under the armpit
B. In the mouth
C. In the rectum
D. In the ear
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A tympanic thermometer measures infrared heat from the
tympanic membrane (eardrum) in the ear canal, providing a fast, non-
invasive reading that correlates closely with core body temperature.
Question 10. Muscles that act on the knee joint exhibit two actions:
A. Adduction and lateral rotation
B. Medical rotation and extension
C. Adduction and Abduction
D. Flexion and extension
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The knee joint is a hinge joint that primarily allows flexion
(bending) and extension (straightening). Adduction/abduction and
rotation are limited or not primary functions of the knee.
Question 11. The term "bradycardia" means:
A. A normal heart rate
B. A heart rate below 60 beats per minute
C. An irregular heart rhythm
D. A rapid heart rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bradycardia is defined as a resting heart rate below 60 bpm
in adults. Tachycardia is a heart rate above 100 bpm. A normal resting
heart rate is 60–100 bpm.
ASSISTANT 2026 NHA
Question 1. Located near the back of the body, this body cavity is a
continuous internal opening that includes the cranial and spinal cavities.
A. Posterior (dorsal) cavity
B. Transverse plane
C. Pelvic cavity
D. Abdominal cavity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The dorsal (posterior) cavity is a continuous internal opening
that contains the cranial cavity (brain) and the spinal cavity (spinal
cord). The transverse plane divides the body into upper and lower
portions, while the pelvic and abdominal cavities are part of the ventral
cavity.
Question 2. What is the space inside the skull that houses the brain?
A. Nasal cavity
B. Cranial cavity
C. Thoracic cavity
D. Orbital cavity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The cranial cavity is the space inside the skull that contains
and protects the brain. The thoracic cavity contains the heart and lungs;
the orbital cavity contains the eyes.
,Question 3. Which of the following is considered a parasitic infection?
A. Lyme disease
B. Rabies
C. Ringworm
D. Malaria
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites (Plasmodium
species) transmitted by mosquitoes. Lyme disease is bacterial, rabies is
viral, and ringworm is a fungal infection.
Question 4. Aspirin and acetaminophen are examples of:
A. Analgesics and antipyretics
B. Antitussives and decongestants
C. Antihistamines and antiemetics
D. Antidotes and antibiotics
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aspirin and acetaminophen relieve pain (analgesics) and
reduce fever (antipyretics). They do not act as antitussives,
decongestants, antihistamines, or antibiotics.
Question 5. A structure that is composed of two or more tissue types is
called a/an:
A. System
B. Organism
C. Organ
D. Cell
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Organs are composed of two or more tissue types working
together for a common function. Cells are the basic unit of life, tissues
are groups of similar cells, and an organism is a living individual.
,Question 6. Cellular respiration is a function of the:
A. Cell membrane
B. Mitochondria
C. Golgi apparatus
D. Nucleus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitochondria are the "powerhouses" of the cell, responsible
for cellular respiration and ATP production. The cell membrane controls
transport, the Golgi apparatus packages proteins, and the nucleus
contains genetic material.
Question 7. The average normal resting heart rate is:
A. Greater than 100 beats per minute
B. About 72 beats per minute
C. Less than 60 beats per minute
D. Greater than 81 beats per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal resting heart rate for adults is 60–100 bpm, with
72 bpm being a typical average. Rates below 60 indicate bradycardia,
and rates above 100 indicate tachycardia.
Question 8. Diaphoresis is another term for:
A. Sweating
B. Low blood pressure
C. Diarrhea
D. Prolonged fever
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Diaphoresis refers to excessive sweating, often associated
with cardiovascular disorders, shock, or fever. It is a clinical sign that
may indicate an underlying medical condition requiring assessment.
, Question 9. A tympanic thermometer measures temperature:
A. Under the armpit
B. In the mouth
C. In the rectum
D. In the ear
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A tympanic thermometer measures infrared heat from the
tympanic membrane (eardrum) in the ear canal, providing a fast, non-
invasive reading that correlates closely with core body temperature.
Question 10. Muscles that act on the knee joint exhibit two actions:
A. Adduction and lateral rotation
B. Medical rotation and extension
C. Adduction and Abduction
D. Flexion and extension
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The knee joint is a hinge joint that primarily allows flexion
(bending) and extension (straightening). Adduction/abduction and
rotation are limited or not primary functions of the knee.
Question 11. The term "bradycardia" means:
A. A normal heart rate
B. A heart rate below 60 beats per minute
C. An irregular heart rhythm
D. A rapid heart rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bradycardia is defined as a resting heart rate below 60 bpm
in adults. Tachycardia is a heart rate above 100 bpm. A normal resting
heart rate is 60–100 bpm.
