MEDICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION EXAM (CMA) 2025-2026
ACTUAL EXAM 200 QUESTIONS WHITH PROVIDED ANSWERS
Category 1: Medical Terminology & Anatomy/Physiology (30 Questions)
1. What does the suffix "-itis" mean?
• Answer: Inflammation. (e.g., Dermatitis = inflammation of the skin, Arthritis =
inflammation of the joints).
2. The term "superior" means:
• Answer: Above or toward the head. It is the opposite of "inferior."
3. Which plane divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections?
• Answer: The coronal (or frontal) plane.
4. The medical term for high blood pressure is:
• Answer: Hypertension. ("Hyper-" = high, "-tension" = pressure).
5. What is the largest organ in the human body?
• Answer: The skin (integumentary system).
6. The combining form "cardi/o" refers to what organ?
• Answer: The heart.
7. The dorsal cavity contains which two subdivisions?
• Answer: The cranial cavity (brain) and the spinal cavity (spinal cord).
8. What does the abbreviation "PRN" stand for and mean?
• Answer: Pro re nata. It means "as needed" or "as circumstances require."
9. Which blood vessels carry oxygenated blood away from the heart?
• Answer: Arteries. (Exception: Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the
lungs).
10. What is the function of hemoglobin?
* Answer: To carry oxygen on red blood cells from the lungs to the body tissues.
11. The term "lateral" describes a position:
* Answer: Away from the midline of the body.
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,12. Which body system is primarily responsible for hormone production and regulation?
* Answer: The endocrine system.
13. What does the prefix "sub-" mean, as in "subcutaneous"?
* Answer: Under or below.
14. The trachea is commonly known as the:
* Answer: Windpipe.
15. Which chamber of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body?
* Answer: The right atrium.
16. What is the medical term for the knee cap?
* Answer: Patella.
17. The term "ophthalmology" is the study of the:
* Answer: Eye and related structures.
18. Which part of a prescription contains the patient instructions (e.g., "take twice daily with
food")?
* Answer: The Signa (Sig).
19. The "ABCs" of emergency care stand for:
* Answer: Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
20. What is the function of insulin, produced by the pancreas?
* Answer: To lower blood glucose levels by facilitating its uptake into cells.
21. The term "dyspnea" means:
* Answer: Difficult or labored breathing.
22. Which anatomical term is synonymous with "anterior"?
* Answer: Ventral.
23. The spleen is part of which body system?
* Answer: The lymphatic/immune system.
24. What does the abbreviation "NPO" mean?
* Answer: Nil per os (nothing by mouth).
25. The quadriceps are located in the:
* Answer: Thigh (anterior).
26. What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate (in beats per minute)?
* Answer: 60-100 bpm.
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, 27. Which organ produces bile?
* Answer: The liver.
28. What does the suffix "-ectomy" mean?
* Answer: Surgical removal (e.g., appendectomy).
29. The phalanges are the bones of the:
* Answer: Fingers and toes.
30. The term "proximal" describes a location:
* Answer: Closer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. (Opposite of distal).
Category 2: Clinical Procedures & Patient Care (60 Questions)
31. When should transmission-based precautions be used?
* Answer: When a patient is known or suspected to be infected with a pathogen that is spread
by a specific route (airborne, droplet, or contact), in addition to standard precautions.
32. What is the correct order for putting on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)?
* Answer: 1) Gown, 2) Mask/Respirator, 3) Goggles/Face Shield, 4) Gloves.
33. What is the correct order for removing PPE?
* Answer: 1) Gloves, 2) Goggles/Face Shield, 3) Gown, 4) Mask/Respirator. Perform hand
hygiene immediately after removal.
34. The angle of insertion for an intradermal injection (e.g., TB test) is:
* Answer: 10-15 degrees, with the needle bevel up.
35. The angle of insertion for a subcutaneous injection (e.g., insulin) is:
* Answer: 45 to 90 degrees, depending on needle length and patient's body fat.
36. The preferred site for an intramuscular (IM) injection in an adult is typically the:
* Answer: Ventrogluteal site (hip). It has the fewest major nerves and blood vessels.
37. What is the first step you should take if you accidentally stick yourself with a used needle?
* Answer: Immediately encourage bleeding at the site by gently squeezing. Wash thoroughly
with soap and water. Follow the office's exposure control plan and report the incident
immediately.
38. How long should you wash your hands with soap and water when they are visibly soiled?
* Answer: At least 20 seconds.
Page | 3
ACTUAL EXAM 200 QUESTIONS WHITH PROVIDED ANSWERS
Category 1: Medical Terminology & Anatomy/Physiology (30 Questions)
1. What does the suffix "-itis" mean?
• Answer: Inflammation. (e.g., Dermatitis = inflammation of the skin, Arthritis =
inflammation of the joints).
2. The term "superior" means:
• Answer: Above or toward the head. It is the opposite of "inferior."
3. Which plane divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections?
• Answer: The coronal (or frontal) plane.
4. The medical term for high blood pressure is:
• Answer: Hypertension. ("Hyper-" = high, "-tension" = pressure).
5. What is the largest organ in the human body?
• Answer: The skin (integumentary system).
6. The combining form "cardi/o" refers to what organ?
• Answer: The heart.
7. The dorsal cavity contains which two subdivisions?
• Answer: The cranial cavity (brain) and the spinal cavity (spinal cord).
8. What does the abbreviation "PRN" stand for and mean?
• Answer: Pro re nata. It means "as needed" or "as circumstances require."
9. Which blood vessels carry oxygenated blood away from the heart?
• Answer: Arteries. (Exception: Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the
lungs).
10. What is the function of hemoglobin?
* Answer: To carry oxygen on red blood cells from the lungs to the body tissues.
11. The term "lateral" describes a position:
* Answer: Away from the midline of the body.
Page | 1
,12. Which body system is primarily responsible for hormone production and regulation?
* Answer: The endocrine system.
13. What does the prefix "sub-" mean, as in "subcutaneous"?
* Answer: Under or below.
14. The trachea is commonly known as the:
* Answer: Windpipe.
15. Which chamber of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body?
* Answer: The right atrium.
16. What is the medical term for the knee cap?
* Answer: Patella.
17. The term "ophthalmology" is the study of the:
* Answer: Eye and related structures.
18. Which part of a prescription contains the patient instructions (e.g., "take twice daily with
food")?
* Answer: The Signa (Sig).
19. The "ABCs" of emergency care stand for:
* Answer: Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
20. What is the function of insulin, produced by the pancreas?
* Answer: To lower blood glucose levels by facilitating its uptake into cells.
21. The term "dyspnea" means:
* Answer: Difficult or labored breathing.
22. Which anatomical term is synonymous with "anterior"?
* Answer: Ventral.
23. The spleen is part of which body system?
* Answer: The lymphatic/immune system.
24. What does the abbreviation "NPO" mean?
* Answer: Nil per os (nothing by mouth).
25. The quadriceps are located in the:
* Answer: Thigh (anterior).
26. What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate (in beats per minute)?
* Answer: 60-100 bpm.
Page | 2
, 27. Which organ produces bile?
* Answer: The liver.
28. What does the suffix "-ectomy" mean?
* Answer: Surgical removal (e.g., appendectomy).
29. The phalanges are the bones of the:
* Answer: Fingers and toes.
30. The term "proximal" describes a location:
* Answer: Closer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. (Opposite of distal).
Category 2: Clinical Procedures & Patient Care (60 Questions)
31. When should transmission-based precautions be used?
* Answer: When a patient is known or suspected to be infected with a pathogen that is spread
by a specific route (airborne, droplet, or contact), in addition to standard precautions.
32. What is the correct order for putting on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)?
* Answer: 1) Gown, 2) Mask/Respirator, 3) Goggles/Face Shield, 4) Gloves.
33. What is the correct order for removing PPE?
* Answer: 1) Gloves, 2) Goggles/Face Shield, 3) Gown, 4) Mask/Respirator. Perform hand
hygiene immediately after removal.
34. The angle of insertion for an intradermal injection (e.g., TB test) is:
* Answer: 10-15 degrees, with the needle bevel up.
35. The angle of insertion for a subcutaneous injection (e.g., insulin) is:
* Answer: 45 to 90 degrees, depending on needle length and patient's body fat.
36. The preferred site for an intramuscular (IM) injection in an adult is typically the:
* Answer: Ventrogluteal site (hip). It has the fewest major nerves and blood vessels.
37. What is the first step you should take if you accidentally stick yourself with a used needle?
* Answer: Immediately encourage bleeding at the site by gently squeezing. Wash thoroughly
with soap and water. Follow the office's exposure control plan and report the incident
immediately.
38. How long should you wash your hands with soap and water when they are visibly soiled?
* Answer: At least 20 seconds.
Page | 3
