NHA CCMA EXAM REVIEW
Chief Complaint – answer the reason why the patient came to see the physician.
History of Present Illness - answer the explanation of the CC to determine the onset of
the illness.
Past,family,and social history - answer summary of personal and family health
problems as well as social to include marital status, occupation, use of drugs, etc.
Body Processes necessary for life: - answer Body Temperature, Respiration, Heart
Function
Vital Signs of body function: - answer temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure
Febrile – answer presence of fever
Afebrile – answer absence of fever
Intermittent fever – answer fluctuating fever that returns to or below baseline
Remittent fever – answer fluctuating fever that remains elevated and does not return to
baseline
Continuous fever – answer fever that remains constant; does not fluctuate
Axillary temperature – answer least accurate; taken under the arm
Tympanic temperature – answer useful for children; placed in the ear
Rectal temperature – answer per rectum; most effective
Normal adult pulse range – answer between 60-100 bpm
Apical pulse – answer taken over the apex of the heart by auscultation
Normal respiration rate – answer 12-20 per minute (Adults)
Apnea – answer temporary complete absence of breathing
Tachypnea – answer respiration rate greater than 40 per minute
Bradypnea – answer decrease in the numbers of respiration
Cheyne stokes – answer regular pattern of irregular breathing rate
, Orthopnea – answer decrease in numbers of respiration
Hypoventilation – answer reduced amount of air enters the lungs resulting in decreased
oxygen level
Hyperpnea – answer abnormal increase in the depth and rate of breathing
Hyperventilation – answer increased amount of air entering the lungs
Systole – answer the highest amount of pressure exerted during the cardiac cycle
Diastole – answer the lowest amount of pressure exerted during the cardiac cycle
Palpation – answer the sense of touch to determine the characteristics of an organ
system
Percussion – answer tapping or striking the body to determine the position, size and
density of the underlying organ/tissue
Auscultation – answer listening to sounds produced by internal organs
Horizontal Recumbent Position – answer patient lies on back w/legs extended (used for
most physical exams)
Dorsal Recumbent Position – answer patient lies on back with knees flexed and soles
of the feet flat on the bed
Fowler's Position – answer semi/sitting position where back of the table is elevated.
Dorsal Lithotomy Position – answer patient lies on back with knees flexed, legs
seperated and thighs are acutely flexed. Feet are usually in stirrups,
Prone position – answer patients lies on abdomen with head turned to side
Sim's position – answer patient lies on left side with right knee flexed against the
abdomen and left knee slightly flexed
Knee-chest position – answer patient is on knees with chest resting on the bed and
elbows resting on the bed above head
OSHA – answer Occupational Safety and Health Administration
External hemorrhage – answer controlling the bleeding is most effectively
accomplished by elevating the affected part above heart level
Chief Complaint – answer the reason why the patient came to see the physician.
History of Present Illness - answer the explanation of the CC to determine the onset of
the illness.
Past,family,and social history - answer summary of personal and family health
problems as well as social to include marital status, occupation, use of drugs, etc.
Body Processes necessary for life: - answer Body Temperature, Respiration, Heart
Function
Vital Signs of body function: - answer temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure
Febrile – answer presence of fever
Afebrile – answer absence of fever
Intermittent fever – answer fluctuating fever that returns to or below baseline
Remittent fever – answer fluctuating fever that remains elevated and does not return to
baseline
Continuous fever – answer fever that remains constant; does not fluctuate
Axillary temperature – answer least accurate; taken under the arm
Tympanic temperature – answer useful for children; placed in the ear
Rectal temperature – answer per rectum; most effective
Normal adult pulse range – answer between 60-100 bpm
Apical pulse – answer taken over the apex of the heart by auscultation
Normal respiration rate – answer 12-20 per minute (Adults)
Apnea – answer temporary complete absence of breathing
Tachypnea – answer respiration rate greater than 40 per minute
Bradypnea – answer decrease in the numbers of respiration
Cheyne stokes – answer regular pattern of irregular breathing rate
, Orthopnea – answer decrease in numbers of respiration
Hypoventilation – answer reduced amount of air enters the lungs resulting in decreased
oxygen level
Hyperpnea – answer abnormal increase in the depth and rate of breathing
Hyperventilation – answer increased amount of air entering the lungs
Systole – answer the highest amount of pressure exerted during the cardiac cycle
Diastole – answer the lowest amount of pressure exerted during the cardiac cycle
Palpation – answer the sense of touch to determine the characteristics of an organ
system
Percussion – answer tapping or striking the body to determine the position, size and
density of the underlying organ/tissue
Auscultation – answer listening to sounds produced by internal organs
Horizontal Recumbent Position – answer patient lies on back w/legs extended (used for
most physical exams)
Dorsal Recumbent Position – answer patient lies on back with knees flexed and soles
of the feet flat on the bed
Fowler's Position – answer semi/sitting position where back of the table is elevated.
Dorsal Lithotomy Position – answer patient lies on back with knees flexed, legs
seperated and thighs are acutely flexed. Feet are usually in stirrups,
Prone position – answer patients lies on abdomen with head turned to side
Sim's position – answer patient lies on left side with right knee flexed against the
abdomen and left knee slightly flexed
Knee-chest position – answer patient is on knees with chest resting on the bed and
elbows resting on the bed above head
OSHA – answer Occupational Safety and Health Administration
External hemorrhage – answer controlling the bleeding is most effectively
accomplished by elevating the affected part above heart level
