CCMA Practice Test | Full 180 Free Practice Questions

Take this free CCMA Practice Test to prepare fully for the NHA medical assistant exam. The real CCMA exam contains 180 questions from all seven sections. Only 150 are scored, and the remaining 30 questions are pre-tested for future exams. Our CCMA mock test also contains 180 questions from all sections. You can see your score and answer key at the end of this test.


1. When collecting a blood sample, which of the following tubes should be drawn first?

 
 
 
 

2. A difficulty or inability to breath unless in an upright position _ _ _.

 
 
 
 

3. When controlling bleeding, which of the following should the assistant do?

 
 
 
 

4. To give informed consent to a medical procedure or course of treatment, a patient must be _ _ _?

 
 
 
 

5. Which of the following techniques should be used when bandaging a wound?

 
 
 
 

6. How does an antitussive work?

 
 
 
 

7. When preparing to use a glucometer to measure a patient’s blood sugar, which of the following actions should the assistant take?

 
 
 
 

8. Which of the following is a proper statement when a patient is irate about a claim denial?

 
 
 
 

9. Which of the following should an assistant report to a provider prior to a patient’s follow-up appointment?

 
 
 
 

10. Which of the following instruments are necessary for a Papanicolaou (Pap) test?

 
 
 
 

11. Which of the following techniques should be used when preparing sterilization for hemostats before an invasive procedure?

 
 
 
 

12. Which of the following should be included in the appointment calendar when scheduling a patient?

 
 
 
 

13. Which of the following is a dissecting instrument?

 
 
 
 

14. A patient begins to faint as an MA is drawing her blood. What should the MA do?

 
 
 
 

15. When using the SOAP format, which of the following would be found in the assessment section?

 
 
 
 

16. Which of the following can interfere with the results of a Pap smear?

 
 
 
 

17. What type of isolation precautions is most appropriate for managing a patient with tuberculosis?

 
 
 
 

18. Which of the following appointment methods allows flexibility for the most consistent patient flow?

 
 
 
 

19. Which of the following instructions should an assistant give regarding transdermal patch use?

 
 
 
 

20. Which of the following is the first action the medical assistant should take when a patient shows signs of anaphylaxis?

 
 
 
 

21. Which condition is likely to occur when a patient becomes pale and diaphoretic during a routine venipuncture?

 
 
 
 

22. Which term describes the ability of myocardial cells to contract when stimulated?

 
 
 
 

23. What legal document should be in place to allow another person to make healthcare decisions on behalf of a patient if they become unable to do so themselves?

 
 
 
 

24. What term describes a regular pattern of alternating irregular breathing rates and periods of apnea?

 
 
 
 

25. Which of the following cell structures is the source of energy for a cell?

 
 
 
 

26. Which of the following is the most appropriate site to collect a routine CBC on a 10-month-old infant?

 
 
 
 

27. Which of the following actions should the assistant take when using a height bar to measure a patient’s height?

 
 
 
 

28. You are checking blood pressure and listening with a stethoscope. When should you read the diastolic pressure?

 
 
 
 

29. What is the most effective method for preventing the spread of infection?

 
 
 
 

30. An EKG tracing shows ventricular fibrillation on an unconscious patient. What action should you take first?

 
 
 
 

31. When administering heparin subcutaneously, which of the following actions should the assistant take?

 
 
 
 

32. You have to apply ointment to a patient’s wound. Which should you use to remove the medication from the jar?

 
 
 
 

33. Which of the following does the Patients’ Bill of Rights protect an individual from?

 
 
 
 

34. According to OSHA’s guidelines, blood-soiled gauze should be disposed of in which of the following?

 
 
 
 

35. To which of the following specialists should you refer a patient who suffers from fibromyalgia?

 
 
 
 

36. Which of the following is the correct angle when administering an insulin injection to an obese patient?

 
 
 
 

37. Which of the following techniques should be used when bandaging a wound?

 
 
 
 

38. The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration is known as:

 
 
 
 

39. Which blood component is primarily responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues in the body?

 
 
 
 

40. When collecting a 24-hour urine sample, what is the first step?

 
 
 
 

41. Pediculosis is what type of infection?

 
 
 
 

42. According to the RACE acronym, what is the first action an assistant should take after discovering a fire?

 
 
 
 

43. Which of the following positions is appropriate for a pelvic examination?

 
 
 
 

44. Which of the following conditions refers to curvature of the thoracic spine?

 
 
 
 

45. When educating an older patient, which of the following ensures patient understanding?

 
 
 
 

46. How many primary digits does a CPT code consist of?

 
 
 
 

47. Which of the following refers to difficulty breathing?

 
 
 
 

48. How long can sterile-wrapped items be safely stored while maintaining sterility?

 
 
 
 

49. When administering an intramuscular injection, which of the following actions should the MA take?

 
 
 
 

50. What is the term for taking a patient’s temperature using an ear thermometer?

 
 
 
 

51. A medical assistant is preparing 1 g/kg of activated charcoal for a patient who weighs 176 lb. How many grams of charcoal should the assistant prepare?

 
 
 
 

52. When drawing blood, when should the tourniquet be removed?

 
 
 
 

53. When performing a fecal occult test, which of the following actions should the assistant take?

 
 
 
 

54. Which of the following is an example of an external resource that can be utilized for patient care coordination?

 
 
 
 

55. When a new patient visits the office, which of the following should the medical assistant collect?

 
 
 
 

56. When only a small amount of blood is needed, a capillary puncture may be used. Which of these is the best site for this in a healthy adult?

 
 
 
 

57. Which of the following should occur before a patient signs an informed consent form?

 
 
 
 

58. When performing a fingerstick, which of the following should happen first?

 
 
 
 

59. Which part of the heart is responsible for receiving deoxygenated blood from the body?

 
 
 
 

60. Under what conditions can a medical record be released?

 
 
 
 

61. Which of the following conditions refers to the curvature of the thoracic spine?

 
 
 
 

62. Which of the following is a CLIA-waived laboratory test?

 
 
 
 

63. Which organization establishes the guidelines for isolation precautions in healthcare settings?

 
 
 
 

64. When you need to remove all living microorganisms from an instrument, which of the following methods should you use?

 
 
 
 

65. Which of the following medications is available in a sublingual form?

 
 
 
 

66. Which of the following is NOT true of an extended-release pill?

 
 
 
 

67. What is the term for the amount of money paid to maintain an active insurance policy?

 
 
 
 

68. Which non-profit organization provides accreditation to healthcare facilities to ensure quality and safety standards?

 
 
 
 

69. What is the purpose of a modifier when assigning a CPT code?

 
 
 
 

70. When performing a capillary puncture, which site is generally preferred for adults?

 
 
 
 

71. When measuring the circumference of an infant’s head, which of the following actions should you take?

 
 
 
 

72. Which of the following can be used for an orthopedic exam?

 
 
 
 

73. How can you observe a patient’s understanding of insulin administration?

 
 
 
 

74. A patient who has a body mass index (BMI) of 23 should be categorized as _ _ _ _?

 
 
 
 

75. Which of the following actions should you take when discussing information with a patient about a new medication the provider prescribed?

 
 
 
 

76. Pyloric stenosis is a condition of which of the following body systems?

 
 
 
 

77. When trying to clear debris out of a patient’s eye, which of the following actions should the MA take?

 
 
 
 

78. In which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?

 
 
 
 

79. Which is an appropriate response to a patient’s inquiry about their health record confidentiality?

 
 
 
 

80. A patient requests a female provider due to religious convictions, but there isn’t one available. Which of the following is an appropriate response?

 
 
 
 

81. Which of the following is an appropriate way to confirm a patient’s identity?

 
 
 
 

82. After requesting preauthorization for a patient’s referral to a specialist, what is one reason the claim may be denied?

 
 
 
 

83. What is the correct angle of insertion for administering an intramuscular injection into the deltoid muscle?

 
 
 
 

84. When preparing a patient for Holter monitoring, which of the following actions should be taken?

 
 
 
 

85. When performing a venipuncture, where should the collecting syringe/tube be held in relation to the puncture site?

 
 
 
 

86. You’re reviewing a Medicare claim denial and realize the charges exceed the usual, customary, reasonable fees. Which action should you take?

 
 
 
 

87. A patient’s hand becomes infected after a medical assistant fails to perform hand hygiene before removing the patient’s sutures. Which of the following torts has occurred?

 
 
 
 

88. How should the MA greet a new patient who has arrived late?

 
 
 
 

89. Which of the following may manifest in a patient experiencing heatstroke?

 
 
 
 

90. Which of the following stages of the cardiac cycle represents ventricular depolarization?

 
 
 
 

91. When collecting a urine specimen for a culture and sensitivity test, which technique is recommended to avoid contamination?

 
 
 
 

92. How many provisions does HIPAA contain?

 
 
 
 

93. A patient calls in and is nervous about test results. Which is an appropriate response?

 
 
 
 

94. Which action should you take when removing a tick from a patient’s leg after a tick bite?

 
 
 
 

95. What does the medical abbreviation “PO” indicate?

 
 
 
 

96. Which of the following terms should be documented when a patient reports that she saw blood in her vomit?

 
 
 
 

97. What is the appropriate action when a patient is experiencing ventricular fibrillation on an EKG?

 
 
 
 

98. When disposing of a used needle and syringe, what action should the MA take?

 
 
 
 

99. When preparing a CMS-1500 form, which of the following is required on the form?

 
 
 
 

100. Stage 2 hypertension can be identified by which of the following blood pressure readings?

 
 
 
 

101. How many characters are used to provide the highest level of specificity with an ICD-10-CM code?

 
 
 
 

102. At which of the following times should a medical assistant complete documentation in a patient’s chart?

 

 
 
 
 

103. Which of the following conditions refers to curvature of the thoracic spine?

 
 
 
 

104. Which of the following actions should you take when preparing a patient for a procedure to have a mole excised?

 
 
 
 

105. A patient requests a female provider due to religious convictions, but there isn’t one available. Which of the following is an appropriate response?

 
 
 
 

106. Which of the following dressings should the assistant use on a partial-thickness burn?

 
 
 
 

107. What term describes the relaxation phase of the heart when the chambers fill with blood?

 
 
 
 

108. Which of the following documents is used to record a patient’s medical history, including information about past illnesses, surgeries, and medications?

 
 
 
 

109. When witnessing a patient sign an informed consent, which of the following is the assistant’s responsibility?

 
 
 
 

110. When preparing a patient for a physical examination, which of the following should the assistant take first?

 
 
 
 

111. Which term refers to the deflection from the baseline (isoelectric line) on an EKG representing electrical activity in the heart?

 
 
 
 

112. When writing a business correspondence using the simplified letter style, which of the following features should you use?

 
 
 
 

113. Visual acuity is:

 
 
 
 

114. Which of the following statements by a patient indicate that he/she understands self-administration of insulin injections?

 
 
 
 

115. How should you put a 7-year-old at ease prior to administering an injection?

 
 
 
 

116. A medical assistant accidentally discloses a patient’s confidential health information to an unauthorized individual. This incident is an example of a violation of:

 
 
 
 

117. What is the term for a patient lying flat on their abdomen, face down?

 
 
 
 

118. Which of the following actions should an MA take when treating a chemical burn?

 
 
 
 

119. When educating an older patient, which of the following ensures patient understanding?

 
 
 
 

120. Which hormone is primarily responsible for regulating the metabolic rate and is produced by the thyroid gland?

 
 
 
 

121. Oxycodone is which type of medication?

 
 
 
 

122. Which of the following actions should the MA take after splashing a chemical in her eyes?

 
 
 
 

123. Which route is more accurate when checking a patient’s temperature?

 
 
 
 

124. Pinworms are which of the following microorganisms?

 
 
 
 

125. How many milliliters of medication are in a tablespoon?

 
 
 
 

126. Which of the following describes the dorsal recumbent position?

 
 
 
 

127. How should you communicate with a patient who has moderate hearing loss and reads lips?

 
 
 
 

128. How should you communicate with a patient who has moderate hearing loss and reads lips?

 
 
 
 

129. Which of the following is a contraindication for using a patient’s arm for venipuncture?

 
 
 
 

130. Which of the following actions should the MA take when performing aseptic hand washing?

 
 
 
 

131. Which of the following documentation templates is organized by the entity that supplied the data?

 
 
 
 

132. Psoriasis can be identified by which of the following characteristics?

 
 
 
 

133. When using a POMR (problem-oriented medical record), where should you enter the patient’s health history and lab results?

 
 
 
 

134. When taking blood pressure, you should decrease the pressure in the cuff at a rate of:

 
 
 
 

135. Which of the following can be signed by a Medical Assistant?

 
 
 
 

136. Which of the following is not a patient right granted under HIPAA?

 
 
 
 

137. When a patient is scheduled for a surgical procedure, what role does the medical assistant play in pre-operative education?

 
 
 
 

138. When performing an ECG, which electrode placement is correct for the V4 lead?

 
 
 
 

139. Which of the following notifies the provider of a claim denial by an insurance company?

 
 
 
 

140. Which of the following forms indicates when a patient needs a referral and/or follow-up appointment?

 
 
 
 

141. A medical assistant is preparing to administer a PPD test. Which of the following actions should the MA take?

 
 
 
 

142. What is the primary purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in a medical office setting?

 
 
 
 

143. When obtaining a rectal temperature, which of the following positions should the patient be placed in?

 
 
 
 

144. What term describes the pattern of breathing, which varies by age, with infants exhibiting an irregular rhythm and adults having a regular rhythm?

 
 
 
 

145. When administering eye ointment to a patient, which of the following actions should an MA take?

 
 
 
 

146. An MA has given a patient an injection, and the patient begins developing an itchy rash with pink lesions. Which term should the assistant use when documenting this occurrence?

 
 
 
 

147. Which of the following enzymes is primarily involved in the breakdown of proteins into peptides during digestion?

 
 
 
 

148. A medical assistant is preparing 1 g/kg of activated charcoal for a patient who weighs 176 lb. How many grams of charcoal should the assistant prepare?

 
 
 
 

149. When coordinating care for a patient with multiple healthcare providers, what is the primary goal of a medical assistant?

 
 
 
 

150. Where should an MA place the electrode for lead V5?

 
 
 
 

Question 1 of 150