NHA CCMA UPDATED EXAMS PAPER ALL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Tympanic Temperature is not taken from what patients: - ✔✔-patients with an ear
disorder or ear drainage
✔✔When taking a Tympanic Temperature: - ✔✔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: - ✔✔60 to 100 beats per minute
✔✔The site most commonly used for taking a pulse is: - ✔✔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: - ✔✔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: -
✔✔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. - ✔✔Apical Pulse
✔✔Taking an apical pulse is used for patients with: - ✔✔Irregular heart rate and for
infants and small children.
✔✔Respiratory Characteristics - ✔✔Rate, Rhythm, and Depth
✔✔Respiratory Rate - ✔✔Is the number of respirations per minute.
✔✔Normal Adult Range of Respiratory Rate - ✔✔12 to 20 per minute
✔✔What counts as one respirations: - ✔✔One inspiration (inhale) and One Expiration
(exhale).
✔✔How is a Respiratory Rate calculated: - ✔✔Count respirations for 30 seconds then
multiplied by two or count for a full minute.
✔✔Define Apnea - ✔✔This 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 - ✔✔This 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 - ✔✔Decrease in numbers of respirations. This occurs during
sleep. It may also be due to certain diseases.
✔✔Define Respiratory Rhythm - ✔✔Refers to the pattern of breathing. It can vary with
age: infants have an irregular rhythm while adults have regular.
✔✔Define Cheyne-Stokes - ✔✔This is a regular pattern of irregular breathing rate.
✔✔Define Orthopnea - ✔✔This is difficulty or inability to breath unless in an upright
position.
✔✔Define Respiratory Depth - ✔✔Refers to the amount of air that is inspired and
expired during each respiration.
✔✔Define Hypoventilation - ✔✔State 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 - ✔✔Abnormal increase in the depth and rate of breathing.
,✔✔Define Hyperventilation - ✔✔State in which there is an increased amount of air
entering the lungs.
✔✔Define Blood Pressure - ✔✔This 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 - ✔✔BP
✔✔BP consist of two components: - ✔✔The Highest (systole) and lowest (diastole)
amount of pressure exerted during the cardiac cycle.
✔✔Common errors in blood pressure measurements: - ✔✔-Improper Cuff Size
-The arm is not at heart level
-Cuff is not completely deflated before use
-Deflation of the cuff is faster than 2-3mmHG per second
-The cuff is re-inflated during the procedure without allowing the arm to rest for 1-2
minutes between reading
-Improper cuff placement
-Defective Equipment
✔✔Define Anthropometric Measurements - ✔✔Refers to comparative measurements of
the body.
✔✔What age groups use Length, Height, Weight, Weight-for-Length, and Head
Circumference - Anthropometric Measurements: - ✔✔Are used to assess growth and
development in infants, children, and adolescents.
✔✔What age groups use Height, Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio,
and % of body fat - Anthropometric Measurements: - ✔✔Are the measurements used
for adults.
✔✔The 4 principles of a physical examinations: - ✔✔Inspection, Palpation, Percussion,
Auscultation
✔✔Define Inspection - ✔✔Which provided an enormous amount of information. The
observer uses observation to detect significant physical features or objective data.
✔✔Inspection focuses on certain aspects of the patient: - ✔✔General Appearance,
State of Nutrition, Body Habitus, Symmetry, Posture and Gait
✔✔Define Palpation - ✔✔The examiner uses the sense of touch to determine the
characteristics of an organ system.
, ✔✔Define Percussion - ✔✔This involves tapping or striking the body, usually with the
fingers or a small hammer to determine the position, size and density of the underlying
organ or tissue.
✔✔Define Auscultation - ✔✔This involves listening to sounds produced by internal
organs. It is usually done to evaluated the heart, lungs, and the abdomen.
✔✔The Medical Assistant's Role In the Physical Examination: - ✔✔-Room Preparation
-Patient Preparation
-Assisting the Physician
✔✔Horizontal Recumbent Position - ✔✔Is used for most physical examinations. The
patient lies on his/her back with legs extended. Arms may be above the head, alongside
the body or folded on the chest.
✔✔Dorsal Recumbent Position - ✔✔Is when the patient is on his/her back with knees
flexed and soles of feet flat on the bed. The MA will need to fold a sheet once across
the chest and fold a second sheet crosswise over the thighs and legs so that genital
area is easily exposed.
✔✔Fowler's Position - ✔✔Is used to promote drainage or to ease breathing. A sitting or
semi-sitting position where the back of the examination table is elevated to either 45
degrees (45 degrees (Semi-Fowler's) or 90 degrees (High-Fowler's).
✔✔Dorsal Lithotomy Position - ✔✔Is used for examination of pelvic organs. This
position is similar to the dorsal recumbent position, except that the patient's legs are
well separated and thighs are acutely flexed. The feet are usually placed in stirrups and
a folded sheet or bath blanket is places crosswise over thighs and legs so that genital
area is easily exposed.
✔✔The Pone Position - ✔✔Is used to examine the back. The patient lies on his/her
abdomen with head turned to one side for comfort, the arms may be above head or
alongside the body.
✔✔The Sim's Position - ✔✔Is used for rectal examination. The patient is on his/her left
side with the right knee flexed against the abdomen and the left knee slightly flexed.
The left arm is behind the body; the right arm is placed comfortable.
✔✔The Knee-Chest Position - ✔✔Is used for rectal or vaginal examinations and as
treatment to bring uterus into a normal position. The patient is on his/her knees with
his/her chest resting on the bed and elbows resting on the bed or arms above head.
The head is turned to one side.
✔✔Trendelenburg Position - ✔✔The patient is placed flat on the back, face up, the
knees flexed and legs hanging off the end of the table, with the legs and feet supported
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Tympanic Temperature is not taken from what patients: - ✔✔-patients with an ear
disorder or ear drainage
✔✔When taking a Tympanic Temperature: - ✔✔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: - ✔✔60 to 100 beats per minute
✔✔The site most commonly used for taking a pulse is: - ✔✔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: - ✔✔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: -
✔✔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. - ✔✔Apical Pulse
✔✔Taking an apical pulse is used for patients with: - ✔✔Irregular heart rate and for
infants and small children.
✔✔Respiratory Characteristics - ✔✔Rate, Rhythm, and Depth
✔✔Respiratory Rate - ✔✔Is the number of respirations per minute.
✔✔Normal Adult Range of Respiratory Rate - ✔✔12 to 20 per minute
✔✔What counts as one respirations: - ✔✔One inspiration (inhale) and One Expiration
(exhale).
✔✔How is a Respiratory Rate calculated: - ✔✔Count respirations for 30 seconds then
multiplied by two or count for a full minute.
✔✔Define Apnea - ✔✔This 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 - ✔✔This 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 - ✔✔Decrease in numbers of respirations. This occurs during
sleep. It may also be due to certain diseases.
✔✔Define Respiratory Rhythm - ✔✔Refers to the pattern of breathing. It can vary with
age: infants have an irregular rhythm while adults have regular.
✔✔Define Cheyne-Stokes - ✔✔This is a regular pattern of irregular breathing rate.
✔✔Define Orthopnea - ✔✔This is difficulty or inability to breath unless in an upright
position.
✔✔Define Respiratory Depth - ✔✔Refers to the amount of air that is inspired and
expired during each respiration.
✔✔Define Hypoventilation - ✔✔State 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 - ✔✔Abnormal increase in the depth and rate of breathing.
,✔✔Define Hyperventilation - ✔✔State in which there is an increased amount of air
entering the lungs.
✔✔Define Blood Pressure - ✔✔This 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 - ✔✔BP
✔✔BP consist of two components: - ✔✔The Highest (systole) and lowest (diastole)
amount of pressure exerted during the cardiac cycle.
✔✔Common errors in blood pressure measurements: - ✔✔-Improper Cuff Size
-The arm is not at heart level
-Cuff is not completely deflated before use
-Deflation of the cuff is faster than 2-3mmHG per second
-The cuff is re-inflated during the procedure without allowing the arm to rest for 1-2
minutes between reading
-Improper cuff placement
-Defective Equipment
✔✔Define Anthropometric Measurements - ✔✔Refers to comparative measurements of
the body.
✔✔What age groups use Length, Height, Weight, Weight-for-Length, and Head
Circumference - Anthropometric Measurements: - ✔✔Are used to assess growth and
development in infants, children, and adolescents.
✔✔What age groups use Height, Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio,
and % of body fat - Anthropometric Measurements: - ✔✔Are the measurements used
for adults.
✔✔The 4 principles of a physical examinations: - ✔✔Inspection, Palpation, Percussion,
Auscultation
✔✔Define Inspection - ✔✔Which provided an enormous amount of information. The
observer uses observation to detect significant physical features or objective data.
✔✔Inspection focuses on certain aspects of the patient: - ✔✔General Appearance,
State of Nutrition, Body Habitus, Symmetry, Posture and Gait
✔✔Define Palpation - ✔✔The examiner uses the sense of touch to determine the
characteristics of an organ system.
, ✔✔Define Percussion - ✔✔This involves tapping or striking the body, usually with the
fingers or a small hammer to determine the position, size and density of the underlying
organ or tissue.
✔✔Define Auscultation - ✔✔This involves listening to sounds produced by internal
organs. It is usually done to evaluated the heart, lungs, and the abdomen.
✔✔The Medical Assistant's Role In the Physical Examination: - ✔✔-Room Preparation
-Patient Preparation
-Assisting the Physician
✔✔Horizontal Recumbent Position - ✔✔Is used for most physical examinations. The
patient lies on his/her back with legs extended. Arms may be above the head, alongside
the body or folded on the chest.
✔✔Dorsal Recumbent Position - ✔✔Is when the patient is on his/her back with knees
flexed and soles of feet flat on the bed. The MA will need to fold a sheet once across
the chest and fold a second sheet crosswise over the thighs and legs so that genital
area is easily exposed.
✔✔Fowler's Position - ✔✔Is used to promote drainage or to ease breathing. A sitting or
semi-sitting position where the back of the examination table is elevated to either 45
degrees (45 degrees (Semi-Fowler's) or 90 degrees (High-Fowler's).
✔✔Dorsal Lithotomy Position - ✔✔Is used for examination of pelvic organs. This
position is similar to the dorsal recumbent position, except that the patient's legs are
well separated and thighs are acutely flexed. The feet are usually placed in stirrups and
a folded sheet or bath blanket is places crosswise over thighs and legs so that genital
area is easily exposed.
✔✔The Pone Position - ✔✔Is used to examine the back. The patient lies on his/her
abdomen with head turned to one side for comfort, the arms may be above head or
alongside the body.
✔✔The Sim's Position - ✔✔Is used for rectal examination. The patient is on his/her left
side with the right knee flexed against the abdomen and the left knee slightly flexed.
The left arm is behind the body; the right arm is placed comfortable.
✔✔The Knee-Chest Position - ✔✔Is used for rectal or vaginal examinations and as
treatment to bring uterus into a normal position. The patient is on his/her knees with
his/her chest resting on the bed and elbows resting on the bed or arms above head.
The head is turned to one side.
✔✔Trendelenburg Position - ✔✔The patient is placed flat on the back, face up, the
knees flexed and legs hanging off the end of the table, with the legs and feet supported
