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NHA CCMA FINAL ACTUAL NEWEST EXAM
2026 | ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
|RATED A + | NEW AND REVISED
1. A patient arrives complaining of chest pain and shortness
of breath. Which of the following actions should the
medical assistant take first?
A. Obtain a full medical history
B. Call 911 or activate emergency response
C. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs)
D. Take vital signs after 5 minutes
Rationale: Immediate assessment of ABCs is critical for
any potentially life-threatening condition, such as chest
pain, to ensure patient safety.
2. When performing a capillary blood glucose test, the best
site to obtain the specimen in adults is:
A. Earlobe
B. Heel
C. Side of the fingertip
D. Forearm
Rationale: The side of the fingertip provides adequate
blood flow and minimizes discomfort for adult patients.
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3. Which of the following is an example of nonverbal
communication?
A. Speaking softly
B. Explaining instructions clearly
C. Maintaining eye contact
D. Writing a prescription
Rationale: Nonverbal communication includes facial
expressions, gestures, and eye contact that convey
messages without words.
4. A patient refuses to sign a consent form for a procedure.
The medical assistant should:
A. Ignore the refusal and proceed
B. Notify the supervising provider immediately
C. Ask the patient to change their mind repeatedly
D. Document the refusal later
Rationale: Consent is required for all procedures; the
provider must be notified immediately to address patient
concerns legally and ethically.
5. A medication label reads: “Take 1 tablet PO q8h.” What
does “PO q8h” mean?
A. Apply topically every 8 hours
B. Take by mouth every 12 hours
C. Take by mouth every 8 hours
D. Inject subcutaneously once daily
Rationale: “PO” means orally, and “q8h” means every 8
hours.
6. Which of the following best demonstrates patient
confidentiality?
A. Discussing a patient’s lab results with a family member
without consent
B. Posting patient information on social media
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C. Sharing information only with authorized staff
D. Leaving medical records on a counter
Rationale: Confidentiality requires that patient
information be protected and only shared with authorized
individuals.
7. A patient is scheduled for a pulmonary function test (PFT).
The MA instructs the patient to:
A. Eat a large meal before the test
B. Avoid smoking 6–8 hours prior
C. Take all medications as usual
D. Drink caffeinated beverages
Rationale: Smoking can affect lung function and alter
test results; patients should avoid smoking prior to PFTs.
8. Which of the following is the correct order of draw for
capillary blood collection?
A. Green, lavender, red
B. Lavender, green, red
C. Red, lavender, green
D. Yellow, blue, red
Rationale: Proper order prevents cross-contamination of
additives and ensures accurate test results.
9. When scheduling an appointment for a patient with a
chronic condition, which factor is most important?
A. Physician’s preference only
B. Patient’s availability and needs
C. Length of the appointment slot only
D. Insurance provider
Rationale: Patient-centered scheduling improves
compliance and satisfaction while accommodating
medical needs.
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10. A patient with a latex allergy requires a procedure.
Which precaution should the medical assistant take?
A. Wear latex gloves but minimize contact
B. Use non-latex gloves and equipment
C. Ask patient to desensitize to latex
D. Proceed without precautions
Rationale: Using non-latex materials prevents allergic
reactions and ensures patient safety.
11. Which immunization is recommended annually for all
healthcare personnel?
A. Hepatitis B
B. Varicella
C. Influenza
D. MMR
Rationale: Influenza vaccination is recommended
annually to prevent transmission in healthcare settings.
12. A patient presents with signs of hypoglycemia. Which
symptom would the MA expect?
A. Flushed skin
B. Polyuria
C. Sweating and shakiness
D. Weight gain
Rationale: Hypoglycemia often presents with diaphoresis,
trembling, confusion, and dizziness.
13. Which of the following documents must be completed
before a patient receives a medical procedure?
A. Incident report
B. Progress note
C. Informed consent
D. Referral form
NHA CCMA FINAL ACTUAL NEWEST EXAM
2026 | ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
|RATED A + | NEW AND REVISED
1. A patient arrives complaining of chest pain and shortness
of breath. Which of the following actions should the
medical assistant take first?
A. Obtain a full medical history
B. Call 911 or activate emergency response
C. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs)
D. Take vital signs after 5 minutes
Rationale: Immediate assessment of ABCs is critical for
any potentially life-threatening condition, such as chest
pain, to ensure patient safety.
2. When performing a capillary blood glucose test, the best
site to obtain the specimen in adults is:
A. Earlobe
B. Heel
C. Side of the fingertip
D. Forearm
Rationale: The side of the fingertip provides adequate
blood flow and minimizes discomfort for adult patients.
,2|Page
3. Which of the following is an example of nonverbal
communication?
A. Speaking softly
B. Explaining instructions clearly
C. Maintaining eye contact
D. Writing a prescription
Rationale: Nonverbal communication includes facial
expressions, gestures, and eye contact that convey
messages without words.
4. A patient refuses to sign a consent form for a procedure.
The medical assistant should:
A. Ignore the refusal and proceed
B. Notify the supervising provider immediately
C. Ask the patient to change their mind repeatedly
D. Document the refusal later
Rationale: Consent is required for all procedures; the
provider must be notified immediately to address patient
concerns legally and ethically.
5. A medication label reads: “Take 1 tablet PO q8h.” What
does “PO q8h” mean?
A. Apply topically every 8 hours
B. Take by mouth every 12 hours
C. Take by mouth every 8 hours
D. Inject subcutaneously once daily
Rationale: “PO” means orally, and “q8h” means every 8
hours.
6. Which of the following best demonstrates patient
confidentiality?
A. Discussing a patient’s lab results with a family member
without consent
B. Posting patient information on social media
,3|Page
C. Sharing information only with authorized staff
D. Leaving medical records on a counter
Rationale: Confidentiality requires that patient
information be protected and only shared with authorized
individuals.
7. A patient is scheduled for a pulmonary function test (PFT).
The MA instructs the patient to:
A. Eat a large meal before the test
B. Avoid smoking 6–8 hours prior
C. Take all medications as usual
D. Drink caffeinated beverages
Rationale: Smoking can affect lung function and alter
test results; patients should avoid smoking prior to PFTs.
8. Which of the following is the correct order of draw for
capillary blood collection?
A. Green, lavender, red
B. Lavender, green, red
C. Red, lavender, green
D. Yellow, blue, red
Rationale: Proper order prevents cross-contamination of
additives and ensures accurate test results.
9. When scheduling an appointment for a patient with a
chronic condition, which factor is most important?
A. Physician’s preference only
B. Patient’s availability and needs
C. Length of the appointment slot only
D. Insurance provider
Rationale: Patient-centered scheduling improves
compliance and satisfaction while accommodating
medical needs.
, 4|Page
10. A patient with a latex allergy requires a procedure.
Which precaution should the medical assistant take?
A. Wear latex gloves but minimize contact
B. Use non-latex gloves and equipment
C. Ask patient to desensitize to latex
D. Proceed without precautions
Rationale: Using non-latex materials prevents allergic
reactions and ensures patient safety.
11. Which immunization is recommended annually for all
healthcare personnel?
A. Hepatitis B
B. Varicella
C. Influenza
D. MMR
Rationale: Influenza vaccination is recommended
annually to prevent transmission in healthcare settings.
12. A patient presents with signs of hypoglycemia. Which
symptom would the MA expect?
A. Flushed skin
B. Polyuria
C. Sweating and shakiness
D. Weight gain
Rationale: Hypoglycemia often presents with diaphoresis,
trembling, confusion, and dizziness.
13. Which of the following documents must be completed
before a patient receives a medical procedure?
A. Incident report
B. Progress note
C. Informed consent
D. Referral form
