NHA CCMA PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Question 1
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has congestive heart failure (CHF) fo an examination by the provider. Which
of the following manifestations should the assistant expect?
A. Palpitations
B. Headaches
C. Chest pain
D. Shortness of breath
Correct Answer
Shortness of breath
Question 2
When measuring a patient's respiratory rate, which of the following actions should a medical assistant take to ensure an
accurate reading?
A. Count the respirations by the patient thinks his pulse is being obtained.
B. instruct the patient to breathe normally while counting his breath's.
C. Count the respirations for 15 seconds and multiply by two.
D. instruct the patient to take deep breath's while obtaining his pulse.
Correct Answer
Count the respirations while the patient thinks his pulse is being obtained.
Page 1 of 119
,Question 3
Which of the following laboratory results should the medical assistant recognize is abnormal?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Red blood cell count 5.2/mm^3
C. Platelets 350/mm^3
D. Potassium 3 mEq/L
Correct Answer
Potassium 3 mEq/L
Question 4
A provider has requested a dissecting instrument on a sterile tray that a medical assistant is preparing. Which of the
following instruments should the assistant include on the tray?
A. Retractors
B. Thumb forceps
C. Scissors
D. Probes
Correct Answer
Scissors
Page 2 of 119
,Question 5
A Medical assistant is replacing a sharps container in an examination room and receives a small laceration on her arm from
the plastic lid. Which of the following types of documentation should the assistant complete as a result of this incident?
A. Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN)
B. OSHA Form 301
C. CMS-1500 claim form
D. Quality control log
Correct Answer
OSHA Form 301
Question 6
A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's medical history prior to the patient's appointment. Which of the following
laboratory results indicates the need to schedule an extension of the current visit?
A. Hematocrit 42.2%
B. BUN 10 mg/dL
C. Potassium 4.3 mEq/L
D. Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL
Correct Answer
Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL
Page 3 of 119
, Question 7
A medical assistant is reinforcing instructions with a patient about how to take a buccal tablet. Which of the following
instruction should the assistant give the patient?
A. "Swallow the tablet whole."
B. "Place the tablet under your tongue."
C. "Dissolve the tablet in water."
D. "Placed the tablet between your gums and cheek."
Correct Answer
"Place the tablet between your gums and cheek."
Question 8
Which of the following terms should a medical assistant used to tell a provider that a patient is having discomfort and
difficulty breathing?
A. Dyspnea
B. Eupnea
C. Pneumothorax
D. Pneumonia
Correct Answer
Dyspena
Page 4 of 119
ANSWERS
Question 1
A medical assistant is preparing a patient who has congestive heart failure (CHF) fo an examination by the provider. Which
of the following manifestations should the assistant expect?
A. Palpitations
B. Headaches
C. Chest pain
D. Shortness of breath
Correct Answer
Shortness of breath
Question 2
When measuring a patient's respiratory rate, which of the following actions should a medical assistant take to ensure an
accurate reading?
A. Count the respirations by the patient thinks his pulse is being obtained.
B. instruct the patient to breathe normally while counting his breath's.
C. Count the respirations for 15 seconds and multiply by two.
D. instruct the patient to take deep breath's while obtaining his pulse.
Correct Answer
Count the respirations while the patient thinks his pulse is being obtained.
Page 1 of 119
,Question 3
Which of the following laboratory results should the medical assistant recognize is abnormal?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Red blood cell count 5.2/mm^3
C. Platelets 350/mm^3
D. Potassium 3 mEq/L
Correct Answer
Potassium 3 mEq/L
Question 4
A provider has requested a dissecting instrument on a sterile tray that a medical assistant is preparing. Which of the
following instruments should the assistant include on the tray?
A. Retractors
B. Thumb forceps
C. Scissors
D. Probes
Correct Answer
Scissors
Page 2 of 119
,Question 5
A Medical assistant is replacing a sharps container in an examination room and receives a small laceration on her arm from
the plastic lid. Which of the following types of documentation should the assistant complete as a result of this incident?
A. Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN)
B. OSHA Form 301
C. CMS-1500 claim form
D. Quality control log
Correct Answer
OSHA Form 301
Question 6
A medical assistant is reviewing a patient's medical history prior to the patient's appointment. Which of the following
laboratory results indicates the need to schedule an extension of the current visit?
A. Hematocrit 42.2%
B. BUN 10 mg/dL
C. Potassium 4.3 mEq/L
D. Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL
Correct Answer
Fasting blood glucose 168 mg/dL
Page 3 of 119
, Question 7
A medical assistant is reinforcing instructions with a patient about how to take a buccal tablet. Which of the following
instruction should the assistant give the patient?
A. "Swallow the tablet whole."
B. "Place the tablet under your tongue."
C. "Dissolve the tablet in water."
D. "Placed the tablet between your gums and cheek."
Correct Answer
"Place the tablet between your gums and cheek."
Question 8
Which of the following terms should a medical assistant used to tell a provider that a patient is having discomfort and
difficulty breathing?
A. Dyspnea
B. Eupnea
C. Pneumothorax
D. Pneumonia
Correct Answer
Dyspena
Page 4 of 119
