PCMA Practitioner Certification Exam Study Guide (All 4 Versions, 2026)

PCMA Exam Study Guide | Complete Questions & Answers | Practice
Test | Latest 2027- 4 Versions



Certification Professional Certified Medical Assistant (PCMA)

Offered By National Association of Health Professionals (NAHP)

Format Multiple-choice

Clinical procedures, pharmacology, medical office administration, patient
Key Topics
anatomy & physiology, medical law & ethics, laboratory procedures




PCMA - CORRECT ANSWER The name of association that provides this crisis
management training and certification.

QUESTION :Prevention and De-escalataion - CORRECT ANSWER Minor behavior
problems, whether predictable or unpredictable, can very often be eliminated by using
these two strategies.

QUESTION :Restrictive than necessary - CORRECT ANSWER Practitioners only
use the procedures needed to stop crisis, that is nothing
more_______________________.

QUESTION :Modify - CORRECT ANSWER Practitioners must perform PCM
procedures as taught. Practitioners MUST NOT _______ any PCM procedure.

QUESTION :14 hours - CORRECT ANSWER Level P is a minimum of

QUESTION :16 hours - CORRECT ANSWER Level P1 is _______

QUESTION :22 hours - CORRECT ANSWER P2P, P2S, P2PS are _________

, QUESTION :Safety Mat - CORRECT ANSWER All PCM procedures place an
individual in a natural and comfortable position and horizontal procedures for the
comfort and protection of the individual on a

QUESTION :Positive relationships - CORRECT ANSWER The emphasis on the
comfort of individuals ensures that PCM practitioners keep _________ relationship with
their clients/students.

QUESTION :Make choices - CORRECT ANSWER PCM's use of the "least restrictive
intervention" results in more opportunities for individuals to ________ during crisis
intervention.

QUESTION :Shaping and Fading Principles - CORRECT ANSWER PCM
transportation procedures include the automatic use of behavioral ______ and _______
principles, referred to as Dynamic Holding.

QUESTION :Reinforce - CORRECT ANSWER Transportation could possibly
___________ crisis behavior by removing the individual from a place/situation that they
dislike.

QUESTION :Continuous
Continuous Aggression
Continuous Self-Injury
Continuous High Magnitude Disruption - CORRECT ANSWER The criteria for
Transportation require the same conditions as crisis. We call it CASH:

QUESTION :Attack again - CORRECT ANSWER After using a personal safety
release, if staff don't immediately use transportations or immobilization, the individual
will likely

QUESTION :Stable - CORRECT ANSWER People who are closely supervised tend
to be more

QUESTION :Predictable - CORRECT ANSWER Behavior and Physiology change in
________ ways when moving through the cycle of crisis.

QUESTION :Prevention Strategies - CORRECT ANSWER Level of Cycle of Crisis:
Stable Functioning Crisis

QUESTION :De-escalation Strategies - CORRECT ANSWER Level of Cycle of
Crisis: Pre-Crisis

QUESTION :Crisis Intervention Procedures - CORRECT ANSWER Levels of Cycle
of Crisis: Crisis

,QUESTION :Reintegration Strategies - CORRECT ANSWER Levels of Cycle of
Crisis: Post-Crisis

QUESTION :Incompatible - CORRECT ANSWER Prevention is used to increase on-
task or "engaged" behaviors which are __________ with crisis behavior.

QUESTION :Individual - CORRECT ANSWER Knowledge about the ______ will
help staff choose the best ways to prevent problem behavior.

QUESTION :

Question 1

A medical assistant is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection. Which site
is most commonly used for IM injections in adults?

A) Deltoid
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Ventrogluteal
D) Subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen

Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred IM injection site for adults because it is
free from major nerves and blood vessels. It provides a large muscle mass and is
considered the safest site for IM injections. The dorsogluteal site is no longer recommended
due to the risk of sciatic nerve injury.




Question 2

Which of the following is the normal range for adult blood pressure?

A) 90/60 – 100/70 mmHg
B) 100/70 – 120/80 mmHg
C) 90/60 – 120/80 mmHg
D) 120/80 – 140/90 mmHg

Rationale: Normal blood pressure for adults is generally defined as less than 120/80
mmHg. The range of 90/60 to 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. Readings above
120/80 indicate elevated blood pressure, and readings above 130/80 indicate
hypertension.

, Question 3

A patient presents with a fever of 102.2°F (39°C), chills, and a productive cough with
greenish sputum. Which of the following conditions is most likely?

A) Viral upper respiratory infection
B) Bacterial pneumonia
C) Allergic rhinitis
D) Asthma exacerbation

Rationale: Bacterial pneumonia typically presents with high fever, chills, and productive
cough with purulent (greenish) sputum. Viral URIs usually have clear sputum. Allergic
rhinitis presents with sneezing and clear nasal discharge. Asthma presents with wheezing
and shortness of breath.




Question 4

A medical assistant is performing a venipuncture. Which of the following is the correct
order of draw for blood collection tubes?

A) Red, Light Blue, Green, Lavender
B) Light Blue, Red, Green, Lavender
C) Lavender, Red, Light Blue, Green
D) Green, Lavender, Red, Light Blue

Rationale: The correct order of draw is: 1) Blood culture tubes, 2) Light blue (sodium
citrate), 3) Red (no additive), 4) Green (heparin), 5) Lavender (EDTA), 6) Gray (sodium
fluoride). This order prevents cross-contamination of additives between tubes.




Question 5

A patient is prescribed lisinopril for hypertension. What is the mechanism of action of
this medication?