EDIUG YDUTS · AMCC
NHA
National Healthcareer Association
NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
★ ★
EST. 1989
EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO ACCESS BETTER CARE
NHA CCMA — Certification Study Guide
C L I N I C A L M E D I C A L A SS I STA N T CO M P R E H E N S I V E R E V I E W
INSTITUTION National Healthcareer Association PROGRAM Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
(NHA) (CCMA)
EXAM CCMA National Certification ACADEMIC YEAR
Examination
STUDY GUIDE Complete Review With Verified TOTAL QUESTIONS 99 Questions
Answers
CONTENT AREAS Clinical Patient Care, Medical FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Terminology, Safety & Legal Single Best Answer
STUDY GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question. Review rationales thoroughly.
▸ Topics covered: Medical history, vital signs, physical examination, OSHA safety, patient rights, legal
concepts, and emergency care.
▸ All content aligns with the NHA CCMA certification examination blueprint.
▸ Correct answers and detailed clinical rationales appear below each question.
▸ Abbreviations, normal ranges, and procedural steps are emphasized per exam requirements.
, SECTION I — MEDICAL HISTORY, CHIEF COMPLAINT &
Questions 1 – 14
DOCUMENTATION
1. A medical assistant is documenting the primary reason the patient is seeking medical
care. What is this called?
A. Review of Systems
B. Chief Complaint
C. History of Present Illness
D. Past Medical History
CORRECT ANSWER B — Chief Complaint
RATIONALE The chief complaint (CC) is the reason why the patient came to see the physician
— the primary symptom or concern that prompted the visit. It is typically
documented in the patient's own words. It is distinct from the HPI (which explains
the CC in detail), the ROS (systematic review of body systems), and the PMH (past
health history).
2. In medical documentation, what abbreviation represents the Chief Complaint?
A. HPI
B. PFSH
C. CC
D. ROS
CORRECT ANSWER C — CC
RATIONALE CC is the standard medical abbreviation for Chief Complaint. HPI stands for
History of Present Illness, PFSH stands for Past, Family and Social History, and
ROS stands for Review of Systems. These abbreviations are used throughout
medical documentation and are essential knowledge for the CCMA exam.
,3. What abbreviation represents the History of Present Illness in a patient's medical record?
A. CC
B. HPI
C. PFSH
D. BP
CORRECT ANSWER B — HPI
RATIONALE HPI is the abbreviation for History of Present Illness. The HPI is an explanation of
the chief complaint that includes the onset of the illness, associated symptoms,
what the patient has done to treat the condition, and other relevant details. It
expands upon the CC to provide a complete clinical picture.
4. Which section of the medical history provides a detailed explanation of the chief
complaint including onset and associated symptoms?
A. Past Medical History
B. Social History
C. History of Present Illness
D. Family History
CORRECT ANSWER C — History of Present Illness
RATIONALE The History of Present Illness (HPI) is an explanation of the CC that determines the
onset of the illness, associated symptoms, what the patient has done to treat the
condition, and other clinically relevant details. It provides a chronological
narrative of the patient's current health concern, distinct from past medical
history (which covers pre-existing conditions).
, 5. A medical assistant is collecting information about the patient's previous surgeries,
current medications, and allergies. What abbreviation represents this combined history
section?
A. HPI
B. ROS
C. PFSH
D. CC
CORRECT ANSWER C — PFSH
RATIONALE PFSH stands for Past, Family and Social History — a combined section of the
medical history that includes: Past Medical History (all health problems, major
illnesses, surgeries, current medications with reasons, allergies), Family History
(health of blood relatives), and Social History (marital status, occupation, habits,
lifestyle).
6. Which component of the patient's history includes all health problems, major illnesses,
surgeries, current medications, and allergies?
A. Family History
B. Past Medical History
C. Social History
D. Review of Systems
CORRECT ANSWER B — Past Medical History
RATIONALE Past Medical History (PMH) includes all health problems, major illnesses,
surgeries the patient has had, current medications complete with reasons for
taking them, and allergies. It is distinct from Family History (health of relatives)
and Social History (lifestyle factors). Together, these components form the PFSH
section of the medical record.
NHA
National Healthcareer Association
NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
★ ★
EST. 1989
EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO ACCESS BETTER CARE
NHA CCMA — Certification Study Guide
C L I N I C A L M E D I C A L A SS I STA N T CO M P R E H E N S I V E R E V I E W
INSTITUTION National Healthcareer Association PROGRAM Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
(NHA) (CCMA)
EXAM CCMA National Certification ACADEMIC YEAR
Examination
STUDY GUIDE Complete Review With Verified TOTAL QUESTIONS 99 Questions
Answers
CONTENT AREAS Clinical Patient Care, Medical FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Terminology, Safety & Legal Single Best Answer
STUDY GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question. Review rationales thoroughly.
▸ Topics covered: Medical history, vital signs, physical examination, OSHA safety, patient rights, legal
concepts, and emergency care.
▸ All content aligns with the NHA CCMA certification examination blueprint.
▸ Correct answers and detailed clinical rationales appear below each question.
▸ Abbreviations, normal ranges, and procedural steps are emphasized per exam requirements.
, SECTION I — MEDICAL HISTORY, CHIEF COMPLAINT &
Questions 1 – 14
DOCUMENTATION
1. A medical assistant is documenting the primary reason the patient is seeking medical
care. What is this called?
A. Review of Systems
B. Chief Complaint
C. History of Present Illness
D. Past Medical History
CORRECT ANSWER B — Chief Complaint
RATIONALE The chief complaint (CC) is the reason why the patient came to see the physician
— the primary symptom or concern that prompted the visit. It is typically
documented in the patient's own words. It is distinct from the HPI (which explains
the CC in detail), the ROS (systematic review of body systems), and the PMH (past
health history).
2. In medical documentation, what abbreviation represents the Chief Complaint?
A. HPI
B. PFSH
C. CC
D. ROS
CORRECT ANSWER C — CC
RATIONALE CC is the standard medical abbreviation for Chief Complaint. HPI stands for
History of Present Illness, PFSH stands for Past, Family and Social History, and
ROS stands for Review of Systems. These abbreviations are used throughout
medical documentation and are essential knowledge for the CCMA exam.
,3. What abbreviation represents the History of Present Illness in a patient's medical record?
A. CC
B. HPI
C. PFSH
D. BP
CORRECT ANSWER B — HPI
RATIONALE HPI is the abbreviation for History of Present Illness. The HPI is an explanation of
the chief complaint that includes the onset of the illness, associated symptoms,
what the patient has done to treat the condition, and other relevant details. It
expands upon the CC to provide a complete clinical picture.
4. Which section of the medical history provides a detailed explanation of the chief
complaint including onset and associated symptoms?
A. Past Medical History
B. Social History
C. History of Present Illness
D. Family History
CORRECT ANSWER C — History of Present Illness
RATIONALE The History of Present Illness (HPI) is an explanation of the CC that determines the
onset of the illness, associated symptoms, what the patient has done to treat the
condition, and other clinically relevant details. It provides a chronological
narrative of the patient's current health concern, distinct from past medical
history (which covers pre-existing conditions).
, 5. A medical assistant is collecting information about the patient's previous surgeries,
current medications, and allergies. What abbreviation represents this combined history
section?
A. HPI
B. ROS
C. PFSH
D. CC
CORRECT ANSWER C — PFSH
RATIONALE PFSH stands for Past, Family and Social History — a combined section of the
medical history that includes: Past Medical History (all health problems, major
illnesses, surgeries, current medications with reasons, allergies), Family History
(health of blood relatives), and Social History (marital status, occupation, habits,
lifestyle).
6. Which component of the patient's history includes all health problems, major illnesses,
surgeries, current medications, and allergies?
A. Family History
B. Past Medical History
C. Social History
D. Review of Systems
CORRECT ANSWER B — Past Medical History
RATIONALE Past Medical History (PMH) includes all health problems, major illnesses,
surgeries the patient has had, current medications complete with reasons for
taking them, and allergies. It is distinct from Family History (health of relatives)
and Social History (lifestyle factors). Together, these components form the PFSH
section of the medical record.
