NHA CCMA Practice Test

Updates came to the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam and prep. The new exam launched in January 2024, and updated study materials aligned to the new exam became available. The iPREP course complied with the new 2024 NHA CCMA exam.

Becoming a CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) opens up many opportunities in the healthcare industry. As a Clinical Medical Assistant, you’ll play a vital role in patient care and assisting physicians and other healthcare professionals in various clinical settings. This rewarding career path requires a solid foundation of medical knowledge, excellent communication skills, and the ability to perform clinical tasks precisely.

The NHA CCMA exam is a crucial step toward obtaining your certification. It assesses your understanding of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, clinical procedures, pharmacology, medical law and ethics, and more. This prep guide aligns with the latest exam content, ensuring you have the tools to tackle each section confidently.

The NHA exam consists of 150 scored questions. 30 additional pre-test questions are also part of the exam and are utilized to gather data about the candidate. They do not impact the candidate’s overall score. Test-takers are provided with three hours to complete the CCMA certification exam.

This prep guide offers a wealth of valuable resources. Comprehensive content reviews will reinforce your understanding of key medical concepts. Practice questions and realistic simulated exams will allow you to gauge your readiness and identify areas that require further attention. Expert tips and strategies will guide you through exam-taking, helping you manage your time effectively and confidently approach each question.

NHA CCMA Navigation Pad

Question types explained

Results scale & interpretations

Frequently asked questions

Question Types Explained

The questions included in the CCMA Januar 2024 exam fall under seven topic areas or domains. The domains divide into subcategories which account for various percentages of the overall score.

Here are the details concerning each domain:

NHA CCMA Sample Certificate. Source: NHA

Language and Geography

The language used in NHA CCMA materials and exams is English, the primary language in the healthcare industry. Since the NHA CCMA certification is not limited to a specific region or locality, individuals from various parts of the United States can pursue this certification to enhance their career prospects in the healthcare field.

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CCMA Test Tips

Preparing for the CCMA (Certified Call Center Manager) exam requires careful planning and study. Be well-prepared and manage your time effectively on exam day. Here are some tips to follow on the day of the CCMA exam:

1. Get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast: Ensure you get adequate rest the night before the exam. Being well-rested will help you stay focused and retain information better. Start your day with a nutritious breakfast featuring protein and complex carbohydrates. Avoid heavy or sugary foods that can cause energy crashes later on.

1. Remember your username and password: When you enter a testing center, you must have these in order to be approved.

1. Arrive early: Plan to arrive at the exam center well ahead of time. An early arrival allows you to settle in, review last-minute notes, and familiarize yourself with the surroundings.

1. Stay calm and confident: Maintain a positive mindset and believe in your abilities. Remind yourself of the preparation you’ve done and trust that you are well-prepared for the exam.

1. Read instructions carefully: Before starting the exam, take a few minutes to read through all the instructions and ensure you understand them. Pay attention to special requirements and time limits.

1. Manage your time: Assess the number of questions and allocate your time accordingly. Don’t spend too much time on questions you are unsure of. Move on and come back to it later if you have time.

1. Review and revise: Once you complete the exam, if there’s time left, go through your answers and check for any mistakes or omissions. It’s always beneficial to review your work before submitting it.

1. Stay focused: Concentrate on the task and avoid distractions. If you get overwhelmed or anxious, take a deep breath and refocus your attention.

1. Pace yourself: Don’t rush through the exam, but don’t dwell excessively on any question. Maintain a steady pace to ensure sufficient time to answer all the questions.

1. Use your knowledge: Trust in the knowledge and understanding you have acquired during your preparation. Apply critical thinking skills and use your best judgment to answer the questions.

“I was panicking at first because I could not remember my login info for my school’s computer, and fortunately, I just tried a bunch of passwords and was able to get in. It’s also extremely important you remember your NHA login information. You don’t want to end up chatting with a live agent to get your username/password. I suggest making a note of your login credentials on your phone, and it would be helpful to try logging in the night before or the morning of to make sure everything works”

Source: MedicalAssistant/reddit

Remember, these tips will guide you on the day of the CCMA exam. Have a solid study plan and dedicated preparation leading up to exam day. Good luck!

FAQs

The NHA CCMA certification refers to the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). It is a nationally recognized credential that validates the knowledge and skills of individuals seeking to work as clinical medical assistants in the healthcare industry.

The following requirements must be met by students to take the NHA CCMA exam:
Possessing a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Successful completion of a medical assistant training program during the previous five (5) years OR one (1) year of supervised employment in the medical assisting industry within the last three (3) years

Students may acquire provisional certifications before graduating from high school. Here are some important details to remember:
Students in high school who are eligible must sign up for the exam within a year of graduating.
A temporary certificate loses its validity one year after the exam date.
Graduates can request to have their active provisional certificate converted to a full certificate once they graduate.

It costs $160 to sign up for the CCMA test.

You must sign up for an account on the NHA website to pay the NCMA test cost. You’ll also be required to provide supporting papers proving your eligibility.

Expect a response to your certification application in one or two weeks. Once authorized, the NHA will send you an email with instructions on scheduling your exam at a nearby PSI testing facility.

There are 150 scored questions on the exam that fall under domains that account for various percentages to make up the entire question paper:
1. Foundational Knowledge and Basic Science (10%)
2. Anatomy and Physiology (8%)
3. Clinical Patient Care (54%)
4. Patient Care Coordination and Education (5%)
5. Administrative Assisting (13%)
6. Communication and Customer Service (5%)
7. Medical Law and Ethics (5%)

Review the exam content outline, utilize study materials provided by NHA, practice with sample questions, join study groups, and consider taking practice exams to get familiar with the format and content of the exam.

Candidates that do not qualify for the CCMA exam on their first attempt will get two additional opportunities to pass. However, there must be a minimum gap of 30 days between each exam.

Yes, there are continuing education (CE) requirements to maintain the NHA CCMA certification. To renew the certification, individuals must accumulate ten continuing education credits within the two-year certification period.

Results Scale and Interpretations

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam results are a scaled score rather than a specific numerical score. The scaled score is a standard method that equates the difficulty level of different exam forms and ensures fairness across all test takers.

The scaled scores for the CCMA exam are in three categories: Pass, Provisional Pass, and Fail. The specific score ranges may vary slightly depending on the exam version, but here is a general breakdown:

Pass: This indicates that the candidate has demonstrated the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the minimum competency requirements for certification as a Clinical Medical Assistant. The score range for a pass may vary but generally falls within the higher end of the scaled score range.

Provisional Pass: This status indicates that the candidate has achieved a scaled score close to the passing range but requires additional steps to meet the certification requirements. Candidates who receive a provisional pass may need to complete specific tasks or provide documentation to obtain full certification.

Fail: Candidates who do not achieve the minimum scaled score necessary to meet the certification requirements will receive a failed result. These candidates did not demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to pass the CCMA exam.

It’s important to note that the NHA determines the exact score ranges for each category. Scores may be adjusted periodically to maintain consistency and fairness in the certification process. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer to the NHA’s official website or contact them directly.

Administration

Test Administrators: The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) administers the CCMA. NHA is an organization that provides certifications for various healthcare professions, including the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification.

Test Format: Multiple choice on computer

Test Materials: Only a computer system is required

Cost: You must pay $160 to sign up for the CCMA test.

Retake Policy: A candidate can retake the test two times with a minimum interval of 30 days between each attempt.

Test Provider

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) provides the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification. It is a professional certification agency that offers a variety of certifications for healthcare professionals, including medical assistants, phlebotomists, pharmacy technicians, and more. The CCMA certification is for individuals seeking to become clinical medical assistants. It validates their knowledge and skills in patient care, clinical procedures, medical office management, and communication.

Information Sources

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• AES Education

Disclaimer – All tutoring resources and preparation materials available on iPrep are authentic and designed for tutoring. iPrep is not affiliated with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the owner of the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification test, or any trademark or organization mentioned above.

Free NHA CCMA practice test: Get to know what the NHA CCMA test will be like by practicing with these sample questions:

Question 1 of 11

What does the medical abbreviation “SOB” commonly indicate?

1. Shortness of breath
2. Swelling of the abdomen
3. Severe abdominal pain
4. Stiffness of the back

The correct answer is A. Shortness of breath.

Explanation:

• “SOB” is an abbreviation commonly used to represent “shortness of breath.”
• “Ascites” refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and is not represented by the abbreviation “SOB.”
• “Colic” typically refers to severe abdominal pain, but it is not represented by the abbreviation “SOB.”
• “Stiffness of the back” is unrelated to the abbreviation “SOB.”

Question 2 of 11

Which of the following is the correct order of the chambers of the heart through which blood flows?

1. Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle
2. Left atrium, left ventricle, right atrium, right ventricle
3. Right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle
4. Left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, right ventricle

The correct answer is A. Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle.

Explanation:

• Blood enters the heart through the right atrium, which receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
• From the right atrium, blood flows into the right ventricle, which pumps the blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
• Oxygenated blood returns to the heart through the left atrium.
• From the left atrium, blood flows into the left ventricle, which pumps the oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
• Therefore, the correct answer is A) Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle.

Question 3 of 11

Which of the following structures is responsible for the production of red blood cells?

1. Spleen
2. Lymph nodes
3. Bone marrow
4. Thymus gland

The correct answer is C. Bone marrow.

Explanation:

• The spleen plays a role in filtering the blood, storing red blood cells, and producing some types of white blood cells, but it is not the primary site of red blood cell production.
• Lymph nodes are involved in filtering lymph and activating immune responses.
• The thymus gland plays a role in the development and maturation of T-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).
• Red blood cells are primarily produced in the bone marrow, specifically in the spongy bone marrow found in the center of bones.

Question 4 of 11

Which of the following methods is used to administer medication through the skin?

1. Inhalation
2. Intravenous
3. Sublingual
4. Topical

The correct answer is D. Topical.

Explanation:

• Inhalation involves breathing in medication through the respiratory system.
• Intravenous administration is the direct delivery of medication into a vein.
• Sublingual administration involves placing medication under the tongue for absorption.
• Topical administration involves applying medication directly to the skin.

Question 5 of 11

Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps for handwashing?

1. Wet hands, apply soap, rinse thoroughly, dry with paper towel
2. Dry hands, apply soap, rinse thoroughly, use hand sanitizer
3. Wet hands, use hand sanitizer, apply soap, rinse thoroughly
4. Wet hands, apply soap, rinse thoroughly, use hand sanitizer

The correct answer is A. Wet hands, apply soap, rinse thoroughly, dry with paper towel.

Explanation:

• Wetting the hands first helps to create a lather with soap.
• Applying soap helps to remove dirt, germs, and other contaminants.
• Rinsing thoroughly under running water removes soap and debris.
• Drying the hands with a paper towel helps to remove any remaining moisture.

Question 6 of 11

Which of the following positions is commonly used for examining the chest and lungs?

1. Supine position
2. Prone position
3. Lithotomy position
4. Fowler’s position

The correct answer is D. Fowler’s position.

Explanation:

• The supine position is lying flat on the back.
• The prone position is lying flat on the stomach.
• The lithotomy position is used for gynecological examinations.
• Fowler’s position is a seated or semi-seated position with the head and upper body elevated, commonly used for examining the chest and lungs.

Question 7 of 11

Which of the following is the correct technique for measuring blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope?

1. Inflate the cuff until no sound is heard
2. Place the diaphragm of the stethoscope over the brachial artery.
3. Deflate the cuff at a rate of 10-20 mmHg per second
4. Measure blood pressure immediately after the patient has exercised.

The correct answer is B. Place the diaphragm of the stethoscope over the brachial artery.

Explanation:

• When measuring blood pressure, the cuff should be inflated until the radial pulse is no longer felt, not until no sound is heard.
• When deflating the cuff, it should be done at a rate of 2-3 mmHg per second, not 10-20 mmHg per second.
• The diaphragm of the stethoscope should be placed over the brachial artery, not the radial artery.
• Blood pressure should be measured after the patient has been resting for a few minutes, not immediately after exercise.

Question 8 of 11

Which of the following is an example of a medical assistant’s responsibility related to medical billing and coding?

1. Assisting with wound dressings
2. Updating patient demographic information
3. Verifying health insurance coverage
4. Performing electrocardiograms (ECGs)

The correct answer is C.Verifying health insurance coverage.

Explanation:

• Assisting with wound dressings and performing electrocardiograms (ECGs) are clinical tasks typically performed by medical assistants.
• Updating patient demographic information is an administrative task that ensures accurate records but is not directly related to medical billing and coding.
• Verifying health insurance coverage involves confirming a patient’s eligibility, coverage limits, and any pre-authorization requirements to ensure accurate billing and coding practices.

Question 9 of 11

You receive a call from a patient who wants to reschedule their upcoming appointment due to a scheduling conflict. What is the most appropriate course of action as a medical assistant in an administrative role?

1. Inform the patient that rescheduling is not possible and suggest they try to rearrange their schedule.
2. Check the provider’s schedule and offer the patient alternative appointment times based on availability.
3. Offer the patient the next available appointment without confirming availability with the healthcare provider.
4. Ask the patient to call back later as you are unable to assist with scheduling changes.

The correct answer is B. Check the provider’s schedule and offer the patient alternative appointment times based on availability.

Explanation:

• Option A is not the most appropriate response as it does not accommodate the patient’s request and may not reflect good patient-centered care.
• Option B is not the best course of action as it is important to ensure appointment availability with the healthcare provider before offering an alternative.
• Option C is the most appropriate response. As a medical assistant, you should check the provider’s schedule to see available time slots and offer the patient alternative appointment options that align with the provider’s availability.
• Option D is not recommended as it does not address the patient’s request and may leave them feeling unsupported.

Question 10 of 11

During a phone call with a patient, you encounter a language barrier as they do not speak English fluently. What is the most appropriate course of action?

1. Speak loudly and slowly to ensure the patient understands.
2. Use complex medical terminology to expedite the conversation.
3. Seek assistance from an interpreter or a language translation service.
4. End the call and ask the patient to come in-person for further communication.

The correct answer is C. Seek assistance from an interpreter or a language translation service

Explanation:

• Speaking loudly and slowly may not effectively overcome the language barrier and can further confuse the patient. It’s important to use appropriate communication strategies.
• Using complex medical terminology can exacerbate the language barrier and hinder effective communication. It’s important to use clear and simple language.
• Seeking assistance from an interpreter or a language translation service ensures accurate communication and facilitates understanding between the patient and the medical assistant.
• Ending the call and asking the patient to come in-person may inconvenience the patient and delay necessary communication. Exploring alternative communication methods is preferred.

Question 11 of 11

Which of the following principles is associated with the concept of patient autonomy?

1. Beneficence
2. Nonmaleficence
3. Veracity
4. Informed consent

The correct answer is D. Informed consent.

Explanation:

• Beneficence refers to the duty to act in the best interest of the patient.
• Nonmaleficence refers to the duty to do no harm to the patient.
• Veracity refers to the duty to be truthful and honest with the patient.
• Patient autonomy is the right of the patient to make decisions about their own healthcare, and obtaining informed consent respects this principle