NHA CCMA Study Guide – Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam Prep
Chief Complaint Definition - (answer)The reason why the patient came to see the physician.
Chief Complaint Abbreviation - (answer)CC
History of Present Illness Abbreviation - (answer)HPI
History of Present Illness Definition - (answer)This is an explanation of the CC to determine the onset of
the illness; associated symptoms; what the patient has done to treat the condition, etc.
Past, Family and Social History Abbreviation - (answer)PFSH
Past Medical History Definition - (answer)Includes all health problems, major illnesses, surgeries the
patient has had, current medications complete with reasons for taking them, and allergies.
Family History Definition - (answer)Summary of health problems of siblings, parents, and other blood
relatives that could alert the physician to hereditary and/or familial disease.
Social History Definition - (answer)Includes marital status, occupation, educational attainment, hobbies,
use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and lifestyles.
Review of Systems Abbreviation - (answer)ROS
Review of Systems Definition - (answer)This is an orderly and systematic check of each organ and system
of the body by questions. Both positive and pertinent negative findings are documented.
3 Body Processes Necessary for life are: - (answer)Body Temperature, Respiration, Heart Function
4 Vital Signs of Body Function are: - (answer)Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood Pressure
,NHA CCMA Study Guide – Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam Prep
Define Body Temperature - (answer)Is a balance between heart production and heart loss in conjunction
with each other, maintained and regulated by the hypothalamus.
Thermometers - (answer)Are used to measure temperature using the Fahrenheit and Centigrade or
Celsius scale.
Temperature Sites - (answer)Mouth, Rectum, Ear (Tympanic Membrane), and the axilla (underarm).
Normal Temperature Range for Rectal - (answer)98.6F to 100.6F
37.0C to 38.1C
Normal Temperature Range for Oral - (answer)97.6F to 99.6F
36.5C to 37.5C
Normal Temperature Range for Axillary - (answer)96.6F to 98.6F
35.9C to 37.0C
Normal Temperature Range for Tympanic Membrane - (answer)98.6 F
37 C
Define Febrile - (answer)Presence of Fever
Define Afebrile - (answer)Absence of Fever
Define Fever - (answer)Elevated body temperature beyond normal range.
Intermittent Fever - (answer)Fluctuating fever that returns to or below baseline then rises again.
,NHA CCMA Study Guide – Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam Prep
Remittent Fever - (answer)Fluctuating fever that remains elevated; it does not return to baseline
temperature.
Continuous Fever - (answer)A fever that remains constant above the baseline; it does not fluctuate.
Oral Temperature - (answer)Is the most common method of measurement.
Oral Temperature is not taken from what patients: - (answer)-infants and children less than six years old
-patients who has had surgery or facial, neck, nose, or mouth injury
-those receiving oxygen
-those with nasogastric tubes
-patients with convulsive seizure
-hemiplegic patients
-patients with altered mental status
How long after a patient eats, smokes or drinks do you wait to take an oral temperature? - (answer)30
minutes
When taking an oral temperature how long do you leave the thermometer in the patient's mouth? -
(answer)3-5 minutes
Rectal Temperature - (answer)Is taken when oral temperature is not feasible.
Rectal Temperature is not taken from what patients: - (answer)-patient's with heart disease
-patients with rectal disease or disorder or has had rectal surgery
-patients with diarrhea
Axillary Temperature - (answer)Is the least accurate and is taken only when no other temperature site
can be used.
, NHA CCMA Study Guide – Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam Prep
When taking an axillary temperature how long should the thermometer be held in place? - (answer)5-10
minutes
Tympanic Temperature - (answer)Is useful for children and confused patients because of the speed of
operation.
Tympanic Temperature is not taken from what patients: - (answer)-patients with an ear disorder or ear
drainage
When taking a Tympanic Temperature: - (answer)A covered probe is gently inserted into the ear canal
and temperature is measured with seconds (1-3 seconds).
What is the normal range for an adult pulse: - (answer)60 to 100 beats per minute
The site most commonly used for taking a pulse is: - (answer)The radial artery (found in the wrist on the
same side as the thumb).
When taking a pulse at the radial artery it is felt with the: - (answer)First two or three fingers (never with
the thumb) and usually taken for 30 seconds multiplied by two to get the rate per minute.
(Taking a pulse at the radial artery) If the rate is unusually fast or slow then: - (answer)Count it for 60
seconds
The _____ _____ is a more accurate measurement of the heart rate and it is taken over the apex of the
heart by auscultation using the stethoscope. - (answer)Apical Pulse
Taking an apical pulse is used for patients with: - (answer)Irregular heart rate and for infants and small
children.
Respiratory Characteristics - (answer)Rate, Rhythm, and Depth
Chief Complaint Definition - (answer)The reason why the patient came to see the physician.
Chief Complaint Abbreviation - (answer)CC
History of Present Illness Abbreviation - (answer)HPI
History of Present Illness Definition - (answer)This is an explanation of the CC to determine the onset of
the illness; associated symptoms; what the patient has done to treat the condition, etc.
Past, Family and Social History Abbreviation - (answer)PFSH
Past Medical History Definition - (answer)Includes all health problems, major illnesses, surgeries the
patient has had, current medications complete with reasons for taking them, and allergies.
Family History Definition - (answer)Summary of health problems of siblings, parents, and other blood
relatives that could alert the physician to hereditary and/or familial disease.
Social History Definition - (answer)Includes marital status, occupation, educational attainment, hobbies,
use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and lifestyles.
Review of Systems Abbreviation - (answer)ROS
Review of Systems Definition - (answer)This is an orderly and systematic check of each organ and system
of the body by questions. Both positive and pertinent negative findings are documented.
3 Body Processes Necessary for life are: - (answer)Body Temperature, Respiration, Heart Function
4 Vital Signs of Body Function are: - (answer)Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood Pressure
,NHA CCMA Study Guide – Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam Prep
Define Body Temperature - (answer)Is a balance between heart production and heart loss in conjunction
with each other, maintained and regulated by the hypothalamus.
Thermometers - (answer)Are used to measure temperature using the Fahrenheit and Centigrade or
Celsius scale.
Temperature Sites - (answer)Mouth, Rectum, Ear (Tympanic Membrane), and the axilla (underarm).
Normal Temperature Range for Rectal - (answer)98.6F to 100.6F
37.0C to 38.1C
Normal Temperature Range for Oral - (answer)97.6F to 99.6F
36.5C to 37.5C
Normal Temperature Range for Axillary - (answer)96.6F to 98.6F
35.9C to 37.0C
Normal Temperature Range for Tympanic Membrane - (answer)98.6 F
37 C
Define Febrile - (answer)Presence of Fever
Define Afebrile - (answer)Absence of Fever
Define Fever - (answer)Elevated body temperature beyond normal range.
Intermittent Fever - (answer)Fluctuating fever that returns to or below baseline then rises again.
,NHA CCMA Study Guide – Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam Prep
Remittent Fever - (answer)Fluctuating fever that remains elevated; it does not return to baseline
temperature.
Continuous Fever - (answer)A fever that remains constant above the baseline; it does not fluctuate.
Oral Temperature - (answer)Is the most common method of measurement.
Oral Temperature is not taken from what patients: - (answer)-infants and children less than six years old
-patients who has had surgery or facial, neck, nose, or mouth injury
-those receiving oxygen
-those with nasogastric tubes
-patients with convulsive seizure
-hemiplegic patients
-patients with altered mental status
How long after a patient eats, smokes or drinks do you wait to take an oral temperature? - (answer)30
minutes
When taking an oral temperature how long do you leave the thermometer in the patient's mouth? -
(answer)3-5 minutes
Rectal Temperature - (answer)Is taken when oral temperature is not feasible.
Rectal Temperature is not taken from what patients: - (answer)-patient's with heart disease
-patients with rectal disease or disorder or has had rectal surgery
-patients with diarrhea
Axillary Temperature - (answer)Is the least accurate and is taken only when no other temperature site
can be used.
, NHA CCMA Study Guide – Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Exam Prep
When taking an axillary temperature how long should the thermometer be held in place? - (answer)5-10
minutes
Tympanic Temperature - (answer)Is useful for children and confused patients because of the speed of
operation.
Tympanic Temperature is not taken from what patients: - (answer)-patients with an ear disorder or ear
drainage
When taking a Tympanic Temperature: - (answer)A covered probe is gently inserted into the ear canal
and temperature is measured with seconds (1-3 seconds).
What is the normal range for an adult pulse: - (answer)60 to 100 beats per minute
The site most commonly used for taking a pulse is: - (answer)The radial artery (found in the wrist on the
same side as the thumb).
When taking a pulse at the radial artery it is felt with the: - (answer)First two or three fingers (never with
the thumb) and usually taken for 30 seconds multiplied by two to get the rate per minute.
(Taking a pulse at the radial artery) If the rate is unusually fast or slow then: - (answer)Count it for 60
seconds
The _____ _____ is a more accurate measurement of the heart rate and it is taken over the apex of the
heart by auscultation using the stethoscope. - (answer)Apical Pulse
Taking an apical pulse is used for patients with: - (answer)Irregular heart rate and for infants and small
children.
Respiratory Characteristics - (answer)Rate, Rhythm, and Depth
