NHA CCMA MEDICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION EXAM,
PRACTICE EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE LATEST 2025-2026
ACTUAL EXAM 200 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A nurse enters a patient room and finds an adult client who is unresponsive, not
breathing, and has no pulse. What is the nurse’s first priority according to BLS guidelines?
☑ A. Begin high-quality CPR starting with chest compressions
☐ B. Deliver two rescue breaths before starting compressions
☐ C. Check for a medical identification bracelet
☐ D. Call the family to inform them of the situation
Rationale: The first action for a pulseless, unresponsive adult is to start high-quality chest
compressions immediately to restore circulation. Early CPR improves survival.
2. A bystander brings an AED while the nurse is performing CPR on an adult client. What
should the nurse do next?
☑ A. Stop compressions only long enough to allow AED rhythm analysis
☐ B. Continue compressions while the AED analyzes
☐ C. Deliver a shock before attaching the pads
☐ D. Remove the AED because compressions are more important
Rationale: CPR should be paused briefly for AED analysis. Continuous compressions during
analysis interfere with rhythm detection.
3. The nurse is performing CPR on an adult. Which rate and depth should be maintained?
☑ A. A rate of 100–120/min with a depth of 2–2.4 inches (5–6 cm)
☐ B. A rate of 80/min with a depth of 1 inch
☐ C. A rate of 150/min with a depth of 3 inches
☐ D. A rate of 50/min with a depth of 2 inches
Rationale: Adult BLS requires a compression rate of 100–120/min and a depth of 2–2.4 inches to
generate adequate perfusion without causing excessive injury.
4. A nurse witnesses a child suddenly collapse. The child is unresponsive and not breathing.
The nurse is alone without a phone. What is the first action?
☑ A. Perform 2 minutes of CPR before leaving to activate EMS
☐ B. Leave immediately to call for help
☐ C. Deliver rescue breaths only
,☐ D. Place the child in recovery position
Rationale: For a child or infant, a lone rescuer without a phone must perform 2 minutes of CPR
before activating EMS to minimize hypoxic injury.
5. During CPR on an adult, what is the recommended sequence for compressions and
ventilations?
☑ A. 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths
☐ B. 15 compressions followed by 2 breaths
☐ C. Continuous compressions with no breaths
☐ D. 10 compressions followed by 1 breath
Rationale: Adult BLS sequence is 30 compressions followed by 2 ventilations to maintain
circulation and oxygenation.
6. What is the correct hand placement for adult chest compressions?
☑ A. Center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum
☐ B. Just above the xiphoid process
☐ C. On the left side of the chest
☐ D. Over the heart apex
Rationale: Proper hand placement maximizes blood flow and reduces injury to ribs and internal
organs.
7. Which of the following is an appropriate step when using an AED on a child?
☑ A. Use pediatric pads if available
☐ B. Use adult pads only
☐ C. Place pads on the back only
☐ D. Skip AED and continue CPR
Rationale: Pediatric pads or a dose attenuator should be used for children to deliver a safe shock.
8. What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for an infant?
☑ A. Approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm)
☐ B. 2 inches
☐ C. 2.5 inches
☐ D. 3 inches
Rationale: Infants require a shallower depth to prevent injury while still providing effective
circulation.
,9. When should you check for responsiveness in an unresponsive adult?
☑ A. Before starting CPR
☐ B. After 2 minutes of CPR
☐ C. Only if an AED is available
☐ D. After delivering breaths
Rationale: Checking responsiveness first ensures that CPR is necessary and appropriate.
10. A patient is choking and cannot breathe. The nurse should perform which action first?
☑ A. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
☐ B. Begin chest compressions
☐ C. Give rescue breaths
☐ D. Call EMS immediately without intervention
Rationale: For conscious adults with complete airway obstruction, abdominal thrusts are the
recommended intervention to relieve the blockage.
11. Which action demonstrates proper infection control when performing CPR?
☑ A. Using a face shield or pocket mask for rescue breaths
☐ B. Performing mouth-to-mouth without protection
☐ C. Skipping hand hygiene after CPR
☐ D. Using bare hands to clean up blood only
Rationale: Barrier devices reduce the risk of disease transmission during rescue breaths.
12. The nurse is documenting a BLS event. Which information is most critical to record?
☑ A. Time of collapse, interventions, and patient response
☐ B. Only the medications administered
☐ C. The family’s presence
☐ D. The patient’s clothing
Rationale: Accurate documentation ensures proper follow-up care and legal compliance.
13. During CPR, the nurse notices the chest does not rise with rescue breaths. What is the
correct next step?
☑ A. Re-tilt the head and attempt the breath again
☐ B. Continue compressions without breaths
, ☐ C. Switch to abdominal thrusts
☐ D. Stop CPR
Rationale: Ensuring an open airway is critical for effective ventilation.
14. A patient with a known DNR order collapses. What is the nurse’s action?
☑ A. Do not perform CPR and notify the provider
☐ B. Perform CPR anyway
☐ C. Call EMS but start compressions
☐ D. Move the patient without intervention
Rationale: DNR orders must be honored, and the provider should be notified for confirmation
and documentation.
15. After performing CPR, which sign indicates return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)?
☑ A. Presence of a pulse and normal breathing
☐ B. Patient remains unresponsive
☐ C. Agonal gasping
☐ D. Cyanosis
Rationale: ROSC is indicated by effective heartbeats and spontaneous respirations.
16. When performing two-rescuer CPR on an adult, what is the correct compression-to-
ventilation ratio?
☑ A. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
☐ B. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
☐ C. 30 compressions to 1 breath
☐ D. Continuous compressions with no breaths
Rationale: Adult two-rescuer CPR uses the same 30:2 ratio as single-rescuer.
17. Which of the following actions reduces rescuer fatigue during CPR?
☑ A. Switching roles every 2 minutes
☐ B. Pausing compressions every 30 seconds
☐ C. Leaning on the patient’s chest
☐ D. Performing only rescue breaths
Rationale: Rotating rescuers maintains high-quality compressions and prevents fatigue.
PRACTICE EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE LATEST 2025-2026
ACTUAL EXAM 200 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A nurse enters a patient room and finds an adult client who is unresponsive, not
breathing, and has no pulse. What is the nurse’s first priority according to BLS guidelines?
☑ A. Begin high-quality CPR starting with chest compressions
☐ B. Deliver two rescue breaths before starting compressions
☐ C. Check for a medical identification bracelet
☐ D. Call the family to inform them of the situation
Rationale: The first action for a pulseless, unresponsive adult is to start high-quality chest
compressions immediately to restore circulation. Early CPR improves survival.
2. A bystander brings an AED while the nurse is performing CPR on an adult client. What
should the nurse do next?
☑ A. Stop compressions only long enough to allow AED rhythm analysis
☐ B. Continue compressions while the AED analyzes
☐ C. Deliver a shock before attaching the pads
☐ D. Remove the AED because compressions are more important
Rationale: CPR should be paused briefly for AED analysis. Continuous compressions during
analysis interfere with rhythm detection.
3. The nurse is performing CPR on an adult. Which rate and depth should be maintained?
☑ A. A rate of 100–120/min with a depth of 2–2.4 inches (5–6 cm)
☐ B. A rate of 80/min with a depth of 1 inch
☐ C. A rate of 150/min with a depth of 3 inches
☐ D. A rate of 50/min with a depth of 2 inches
Rationale: Adult BLS requires a compression rate of 100–120/min and a depth of 2–2.4 inches to
generate adequate perfusion without causing excessive injury.
4. A nurse witnesses a child suddenly collapse. The child is unresponsive and not breathing.
The nurse is alone without a phone. What is the first action?
☑ A. Perform 2 minutes of CPR before leaving to activate EMS
☐ B. Leave immediately to call for help
☐ C. Deliver rescue breaths only
,☐ D. Place the child in recovery position
Rationale: For a child or infant, a lone rescuer without a phone must perform 2 minutes of CPR
before activating EMS to minimize hypoxic injury.
5. During CPR on an adult, what is the recommended sequence for compressions and
ventilations?
☑ A. 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths
☐ B. 15 compressions followed by 2 breaths
☐ C. Continuous compressions with no breaths
☐ D. 10 compressions followed by 1 breath
Rationale: Adult BLS sequence is 30 compressions followed by 2 ventilations to maintain
circulation and oxygenation.
6. What is the correct hand placement for adult chest compressions?
☑ A. Center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum
☐ B. Just above the xiphoid process
☐ C. On the left side of the chest
☐ D. Over the heart apex
Rationale: Proper hand placement maximizes blood flow and reduces injury to ribs and internal
organs.
7. Which of the following is an appropriate step when using an AED on a child?
☑ A. Use pediatric pads if available
☐ B. Use adult pads only
☐ C. Place pads on the back only
☐ D. Skip AED and continue CPR
Rationale: Pediatric pads or a dose attenuator should be used for children to deliver a safe shock.
8. What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for an infant?
☑ A. Approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm)
☐ B. 2 inches
☐ C. 2.5 inches
☐ D. 3 inches
Rationale: Infants require a shallower depth to prevent injury while still providing effective
circulation.
,9. When should you check for responsiveness in an unresponsive adult?
☑ A. Before starting CPR
☐ B. After 2 minutes of CPR
☐ C. Only if an AED is available
☐ D. After delivering breaths
Rationale: Checking responsiveness first ensures that CPR is necessary and appropriate.
10. A patient is choking and cannot breathe. The nurse should perform which action first?
☑ A. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
☐ B. Begin chest compressions
☐ C. Give rescue breaths
☐ D. Call EMS immediately without intervention
Rationale: For conscious adults with complete airway obstruction, abdominal thrusts are the
recommended intervention to relieve the blockage.
11. Which action demonstrates proper infection control when performing CPR?
☑ A. Using a face shield or pocket mask for rescue breaths
☐ B. Performing mouth-to-mouth without protection
☐ C. Skipping hand hygiene after CPR
☐ D. Using bare hands to clean up blood only
Rationale: Barrier devices reduce the risk of disease transmission during rescue breaths.
12. The nurse is documenting a BLS event. Which information is most critical to record?
☑ A. Time of collapse, interventions, and patient response
☐ B. Only the medications administered
☐ C. The family’s presence
☐ D. The patient’s clothing
Rationale: Accurate documentation ensures proper follow-up care and legal compliance.
13. During CPR, the nurse notices the chest does not rise with rescue breaths. What is the
correct next step?
☑ A. Re-tilt the head and attempt the breath again
☐ B. Continue compressions without breaths
, ☐ C. Switch to abdominal thrusts
☐ D. Stop CPR
Rationale: Ensuring an open airway is critical for effective ventilation.
14. A patient with a known DNR order collapses. What is the nurse’s action?
☑ A. Do not perform CPR and notify the provider
☐ B. Perform CPR anyway
☐ C. Call EMS but start compressions
☐ D. Move the patient without intervention
Rationale: DNR orders must be honored, and the provider should be notified for confirmation
and documentation.
15. After performing CPR, which sign indicates return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)?
☑ A. Presence of a pulse and normal breathing
☐ B. Patient remains unresponsive
☐ C. Agonal gasping
☐ D. Cyanosis
Rationale: ROSC is indicated by effective heartbeats and spontaneous respirations.
16. When performing two-rescuer CPR on an adult, what is the correct compression-to-
ventilation ratio?
☑ A. 30 compressions to 2 breaths
☐ B. 15 compressions to 2 breaths
☐ C. 30 compressions to 1 breath
☐ D. Continuous compressions with no breaths
Rationale: Adult two-rescuer CPR uses the same 30:2 ratio as single-rescuer.
17. Which of the following actions reduces rescuer fatigue during CPR?
☑ A. Switching roles every 2 minutes
☐ B. Pausing compressions every 30 seconds
☐ C. Leaning on the patient’s chest
☐ D. Performing only rescue breaths
Rationale: Rotating rescuers maintains high-quality compressions and prevents fatigue.
