Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Mock
Examination
1. A patient calls the office and demands to know the results of her husband’s recent biopsy.
The medical assistant notes there is no signed authorization form on file for the husband.
Which action is most appropriate?
A. Inform the patient that the results are normal to ease her anxiety.
B. Ask the provider to speak with the wife directly.
C. Explain to the patient that she cannot receive the results due to HIPAA regulations.
D. Search the file for a verbal consent note from the husband’s previous visit.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Privacy of health information is protected under HIPAA, which requires
explicit written consent to share findings with anyone other than the patient. Providing any
information, even ‘normal’ results, constitutes a breach of confidentiality. Candidates
should avoid the pitfall of assuming family status grants automatic access to medical
records.
2. A medical assistant is preparing to perform an ECG on a patient who is experiencing
tremors due to Parkinson’s disease. Which of the following artifacts is most likely to appear
on the tracing?
A. Wandering baseline
,B. Somatic tremor
C. AC interference
D. Interrupted baseline
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Somatic tremors are caused by involuntary or voluntary muscle movements,
including shivering or tremors from neurological conditions. To minimize this, the assistant
should have the patient place their hands under their buttocks. A common error is
confusing somatic tremors with AC interference, which is caused by electrical equipment
rather than muscle movement.
3. When performing a capillary puncture on an infant, which of the following is the correct
site for the procedure?
A. The central fleshy part of the finger
B. The lateral or medial plantar surface of the heel
C. The thumb
D. The posterior curve of the heel
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: For infants under one year, the heel is the preferred site, specifically the
lateral or medial plantar surfaces to avoid the calcaneus bone. Puncturing the central or
, posterior heel can cause bone injury such as osteochondritis. Candidates must remember
the age-specific differences between finger and heel sticks.
4. A medical assistant is measuring a patient’s blood pressure and finds it to be 148/92
mmHg. According to current AHA guidelines, how would this be classified?
A. Normal
B. Hypertension Stage 2
C. Hypertension Stage 1
D. Elevated
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hypertension Stage 2 is defined as a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher
or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. Accurate classification is vital for
determining the urgency of provider intervention and patient education. A common
mistake is using older guidelines that defined Stage 2 at 160/100.
5. Which of the following is the correct order of draw for a venipuncture requiring a CBC, a
Prothrombin Time (PT), and a Lipid Panel?
A. Light Blue, Gold, Lavender
B. Gold, Lavender, Light Blue
C. Lavender, Light Blue, Gold
D. Lavender, Gold, Light Blue
Examination
1. A patient calls the office and demands to know the results of her husband’s recent biopsy.
The medical assistant notes there is no signed authorization form on file for the husband.
Which action is most appropriate?
A. Inform the patient that the results are normal to ease her anxiety.
B. Ask the provider to speak with the wife directly.
C. Explain to the patient that she cannot receive the results due to HIPAA regulations.
D. Search the file for a verbal consent note from the husband’s previous visit.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Privacy of health information is protected under HIPAA, which requires
explicit written consent to share findings with anyone other than the patient. Providing any
information, even ‘normal’ results, constitutes a breach of confidentiality. Candidates
should avoid the pitfall of assuming family status grants automatic access to medical
records.
2. A medical assistant is preparing to perform an ECG on a patient who is experiencing
tremors due to Parkinson’s disease. Which of the following artifacts is most likely to appear
on the tracing?
A. Wandering baseline
,B. Somatic tremor
C. AC interference
D. Interrupted baseline
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Somatic tremors are caused by involuntary or voluntary muscle movements,
including shivering or tremors from neurological conditions. To minimize this, the assistant
should have the patient place their hands under their buttocks. A common error is
confusing somatic tremors with AC interference, which is caused by electrical equipment
rather than muscle movement.
3. When performing a capillary puncture on an infant, which of the following is the correct
site for the procedure?
A. The central fleshy part of the finger
B. The lateral or medial plantar surface of the heel
C. The thumb
D. The posterior curve of the heel
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: For infants under one year, the heel is the preferred site, specifically the
lateral or medial plantar surfaces to avoid the calcaneus bone. Puncturing the central or
, posterior heel can cause bone injury such as osteochondritis. Candidates must remember
the age-specific differences between finger and heel sticks.
4. A medical assistant is measuring a patient’s blood pressure and finds it to be 148/92
mmHg. According to current AHA guidelines, how would this be classified?
A. Normal
B. Hypertension Stage 2
C. Hypertension Stage 1
D. Elevated
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hypertension Stage 2 is defined as a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher
or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. Accurate classification is vital for
determining the urgency of provider intervention and patient education. A common
mistake is using older guidelines that defined Stage 2 at 160/100.
5. Which of the following is the correct order of draw for a venipuncture requiring a CBC, a
Prothrombin Time (PT), and a Lipid Panel?
A. Light Blue, Gold, Lavender
B. Gold, Lavender, Light Blue
C. Lavender, Light Blue, Gold
D. Lavender, Gold, Light Blue
