NHA CCMA Study Guide,
Nha certification study
guide for CCMA LATES
EXAM 2026-2027 WITH
QESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADED A+
3 Body Processes Necessary for life are: - ANSWERBody Temperature, Respiration,
Heart Function
4 Vital Signs of Body Function are: - ANSWERTemperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood
Pressure
Define Body Temperature - ANSWERIs a balance between heart production and heart
loss in conjunction with each other, maintained and regulated by the hypothalamus.
Thermometers - ANSWERAre used to measure temperature using the Fahrenheit and
Centigrade or Celsius scale.
,Temperature Sites - ANSWERMouth, Rectum, Ear (Tympanic Membrane), and the
axilla (underarm).
Normal Temperature Range for Rectal - ANSWER98.6F to 100.6F
37.0C to 38.1C
Normal Temperature Range for Oral - ANSWER97.6F to 99.6F
36.5C to 37.5C
Normal Temperature Range for Axillary - ANSWER96.6F to 98.6F
35.9C to 37.0C
Normal Temperature Range for Tympanic Membrane - ANSWER98.6 F
37 C
Define Febrile - ANSWERPresence of Fever
Define Afebrile - ANSWERAbsence of Fever
Define Fever - ANSWERElevated body temperature beyond normal range.
Intermittent Fever - ANSWERFluctuating fever that returns to or below baseline then
rises again.
Remittent Fever - ANSWERFluctuating fever that remains elevated; it does not return to
baseline temperature.
Continuous Fever - ANSWERA fever that remains constant above the baseline; it does
not fluctuate.
Oral Temperature - ANSWERIs 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? - ANSWER30 minutes
,When taking an oral temperature how long do you leave the thermometer in the
patient's mouth? - ANSWER3-5 minutes
Rectal Temperature - ANSWERIs 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 - ANSWERIs the least accurate and is taken only when no other
temperature site can be used.
When taking an axillary temperature how long should the thermometer be held in place?
- ANSWER5-10 minutes
Tympanic Temperature - ANSWERIs 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: - ANSWERA 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: - ANSWER60 to 100 beats per minute
The site most commonly used for taking a pulse is: - ANSWERThe 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: - ANSWERFirst 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: -
ANSWERCount 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. - ANSWERApical Pulse
Taking an apical pulse is used for patients with: - ANSWERIrregular heart rate and for
infants and small children.
Respiratory Characteristics - ANSWERRate, Rhythm, and Depth
Respiratory Rate - ANSWERIs the number of respirations per minute.
, Normal Adult Range of Respiratory Rate - ANSWER12 to 20 per minute
What counts as one respirations: - ANSWEROne inspiration (inhale) and One
Expiration (exhale).
How is a Respiratory Rate calculated: - ANSWERCount respirations for 30 seconds
then multiplied by two or count for a full minute.
Define Apnea - ANSWERThis is a temporary complete absence of breathing which may
by result of a reduction in the stimuli to the respiratory centers of the brain.
Define Tachypnea - ANSWERThis is a respiration rate of greater than 40/min. It is
transient in the newborn and maybe caused by the hysteria in the adult.
Define Bradypnea - ANSWERDecrease in numbers of respirations. This occurs during
sleep. It may also be due to certain diseases.
Define Respiratory Rhythm - ANSWERRefers to the pattern of breathing. It can vary
with age: infants have an irregular rhythm while adults have regular.
Define Cheyne-Stokes - ANSWERThis is a regular pattern of irregular breathing rate.
Define Orthopnea - ANSWERThis is difficulty or inability to breath unless in an upright
position.
Define Respiratory Depth - ANSWERRefers to the amount of air that is inspired and
expired during each respiration.
Define Hypoventilation - ANSWERState in which reduced amount of air enters the lungs
resulting in decreased oxygen level and increased carbon dioxide level in blood. It can
be due to breathing that is too shallow, or too slow, or to diminished lung function.
Define Hyperpnea - ANSWERAbnormal increase in the depth and rate of breathing.
Define Hyperventilation - ANSWERState in which there is an increased amount of air
entering the lungs.
Define Blood Pressure - ANSWERThis is the measurement of the amount of force
exerted by the blood on the peripheral arterial walls and is expressed in millimeters
(mm) of mercury (Hg).
Blood Pressure Abbreviation - ANSWERBP
BP consist of two components: - ANSWERThe Highest (systole) and lowest (diastole)
amount of pressure exerted during the cardiac cycle.
Nha certification study
guide for CCMA LATES
EXAM 2026-2027 WITH
QESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADED A+
3 Body Processes Necessary for life are: - ANSWERBody Temperature, Respiration,
Heart Function
4 Vital Signs of Body Function are: - ANSWERTemperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood
Pressure
Define Body Temperature - ANSWERIs a balance between heart production and heart
loss in conjunction with each other, maintained and regulated by the hypothalamus.
Thermometers - ANSWERAre used to measure temperature using the Fahrenheit and
Centigrade or Celsius scale.
,Temperature Sites - ANSWERMouth, Rectum, Ear (Tympanic Membrane), and the
axilla (underarm).
Normal Temperature Range for Rectal - ANSWER98.6F to 100.6F
37.0C to 38.1C
Normal Temperature Range for Oral - ANSWER97.6F to 99.6F
36.5C to 37.5C
Normal Temperature Range for Axillary - ANSWER96.6F to 98.6F
35.9C to 37.0C
Normal Temperature Range for Tympanic Membrane - ANSWER98.6 F
37 C
Define Febrile - ANSWERPresence of Fever
Define Afebrile - ANSWERAbsence of Fever
Define Fever - ANSWERElevated body temperature beyond normal range.
Intermittent Fever - ANSWERFluctuating fever that returns to or below baseline then
rises again.
Remittent Fever - ANSWERFluctuating fever that remains elevated; it does not return to
baseline temperature.
Continuous Fever - ANSWERA fever that remains constant above the baseline; it does
not fluctuate.
Oral Temperature - ANSWERIs 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? - ANSWER30 minutes
,When taking an oral temperature how long do you leave the thermometer in the
patient's mouth? - ANSWER3-5 minutes
Rectal Temperature - ANSWERIs 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 - ANSWERIs the least accurate and is taken only when no other
temperature site can be used.
When taking an axillary temperature how long should the thermometer be held in place?
- ANSWER5-10 minutes
Tympanic Temperature - ANSWERIs 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: - ANSWERA 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: - ANSWER60 to 100 beats per minute
The site most commonly used for taking a pulse is: - ANSWERThe 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: - ANSWERFirst 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: -
ANSWERCount 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. - ANSWERApical Pulse
Taking an apical pulse is used for patients with: - ANSWERIrregular heart rate and for
infants and small children.
Respiratory Characteristics - ANSWERRate, Rhythm, and Depth
Respiratory Rate - ANSWERIs the number of respirations per minute.
, Normal Adult Range of Respiratory Rate - ANSWER12 to 20 per minute
What counts as one respirations: - ANSWEROne inspiration (inhale) and One
Expiration (exhale).
How is a Respiratory Rate calculated: - ANSWERCount respirations for 30 seconds
then multiplied by two or count for a full minute.
Define Apnea - ANSWERThis is a temporary complete absence of breathing which may
by result of a reduction in the stimuli to the respiratory centers of the brain.
Define Tachypnea - ANSWERThis is a respiration rate of greater than 40/min. It is
transient in the newborn and maybe caused by the hysteria in the adult.
Define Bradypnea - ANSWERDecrease in numbers of respirations. This occurs during
sleep. It may also be due to certain diseases.
Define Respiratory Rhythm - ANSWERRefers to the pattern of breathing. It can vary
with age: infants have an irregular rhythm while adults have regular.
Define Cheyne-Stokes - ANSWERThis is a regular pattern of irregular breathing rate.
Define Orthopnea - ANSWERThis is difficulty or inability to breath unless in an upright
position.
Define Respiratory Depth - ANSWERRefers to the amount of air that is inspired and
expired during each respiration.
Define Hypoventilation - ANSWERState in which reduced amount of air enters the lungs
resulting in decreased oxygen level and increased carbon dioxide level in blood. It can
be due to breathing that is too shallow, or too slow, or to diminished lung function.
Define Hyperpnea - ANSWERAbnormal increase in the depth and rate of breathing.
Define Hyperventilation - ANSWERState in which there is an increased amount of air
entering the lungs.
Define Blood Pressure - ANSWERThis is the measurement of the amount of force
exerted by the blood on the peripheral arterial walls and is expressed in millimeters
(mm) of mercury (Hg).
Blood Pressure Abbreviation - ANSWERBP
BP consist of two components: - ANSWERThe Highest (systole) and lowest (diastole)
amount of pressure exerted during the cardiac cycle.
