, NHA CCMA 2026 Exam – Latest Tested
Version 2 (180 Questions and Correct Answers
with Rationales) for Medical Assistants
NHA CCMA 2026 — Medical Assistant
Exam
Version 2 — 180 Questions with Answers & Rationales
Section 1: Patient Care & Vital Signs
1.
A medical assistant is preparing to measure a patient's oral
temperature. Which action is appropriate?
A. Have the patient drink hot coffee immediately beforehand
B. Place the thermometer under the tongue
C. Place the thermometer on top of the tongue
D. Have the patient breathe through the mouth
Answer: B
Rationale: An oral thermometer should be positioned in the sublingual
area beneath the tongue to obtain an accurate reading.
2.
Which factor can temporarily increase a patient's pulse rate?
A. Rest
B. Exercise
,C. Sleep
D. Relaxation
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical activity increases the body's oxygen demand and
normally causes the heart rate to increase.
3.
When measuring a patient's respiratory rate, the medical assistant
should:
A. Tell the patient to breathe rapidly
B. Observe the patient's breathing without unnecessarily drawing
attention to it
C. Ask the patient to hold their breath
D. Count only inhalations
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients may unconsciously change their breathing if they
know it is being counted. Observing discreetly provides a more natural
respiratory rate.
4.
A patient's blood pressure is unexpectedly elevated. What should the
medical assistant do?
A. Immediately diagnose hypertension
B. Verify proper positioning and repeat the measurement according to
protocol
C. Tell the patient they have a chronic disease
D. Ignore the reading
Answer: B
, Rationale: An unexpected reading should be verified using proper
technique before conclusions are drawn.
5.
Which position generally provides the best measurement of resting
blood pressure?
A. Sitting with feet supported and arm supported
B. Standing on one leg
C. Lying prone with the arm hanging down
D. Sitting with legs crossed and arm unsupported
Answer: A
Rationale: Proper positioning, including a supported arm and feet,
improves blood-pressure measurement accuracy.
6.
A patient reports dizziness while standing. Which vital sign
comparison may help evaluate the problem?
A. Orthostatic measurements
B. Apical pulse only
C. Temperature only
D. Visual acuity
Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic vital signs compare measurements in different
positions and may help identify changes associated with positional
symptoms.
7.
Which pulse is located at the side of the neck?
Version 2 (180 Questions and Correct Answers
with Rationales) for Medical Assistants
NHA CCMA 2026 — Medical Assistant
Exam
Version 2 — 180 Questions with Answers & Rationales
Section 1: Patient Care & Vital Signs
1.
A medical assistant is preparing to measure a patient's oral
temperature. Which action is appropriate?
A. Have the patient drink hot coffee immediately beforehand
B. Place the thermometer under the tongue
C. Place the thermometer on top of the tongue
D. Have the patient breathe through the mouth
Answer: B
Rationale: An oral thermometer should be positioned in the sublingual
area beneath the tongue to obtain an accurate reading.
2.
Which factor can temporarily increase a patient's pulse rate?
A. Rest
B. Exercise
,C. Sleep
D. Relaxation
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical activity increases the body's oxygen demand and
normally causes the heart rate to increase.
3.
When measuring a patient's respiratory rate, the medical assistant
should:
A. Tell the patient to breathe rapidly
B. Observe the patient's breathing without unnecessarily drawing
attention to it
C. Ask the patient to hold their breath
D. Count only inhalations
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients may unconsciously change their breathing if they
know it is being counted. Observing discreetly provides a more natural
respiratory rate.
4.
A patient's blood pressure is unexpectedly elevated. What should the
medical assistant do?
A. Immediately diagnose hypertension
B. Verify proper positioning and repeat the measurement according to
protocol
C. Tell the patient they have a chronic disease
D. Ignore the reading
Answer: B
, Rationale: An unexpected reading should be verified using proper
technique before conclusions are drawn.
5.
Which position generally provides the best measurement of resting
blood pressure?
A. Sitting with feet supported and arm supported
B. Standing on one leg
C. Lying prone with the arm hanging down
D. Sitting with legs crossed and arm unsupported
Answer: A
Rationale: Proper positioning, including a supported arm and feet,
improves blood-pressure measurement accuracy.
6.
A patient reports dizziness while standing. Which vital sign
comparison may help evaluate the problem?
A. Orthostatic measurements
B. Apical pulse only
C. Temperature only
D. Visual acuity
Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic vital signs compare measurements in different
positions and may help identify changes associated with positional
symptoms.
7.
Which pulse is located at the side of the neck?
