Exam Strategies
What’s the first thing you should do when starting the CCMA exam
Prioritize answering the easy questions first and flag difficult ones for review later.
What should a medical assistant do if a patient asks about procedure risks?
Refer the question to the provider—explaining procedures is outside the MA's scope
What form is used for billing and communicating with insurance?
What is "an encounter form (also known as a superbill)"?
Why should you warm a patient's hand before a finger stick?
What is "to increase circulation and improve blood flow for sampling"?
What’s one way to check a patient truly understands their instructions?
What is "ask them to repeat the instructions or demonstrate the procedure"?
What should you do when a question seems tricky or confusing?
Read it thoroughly and pay close attention to wording—many questions are written to test critical thinking.
Can a medical assistant discuss insurance coverage with patients?
No, insurance questions should be referred to the billing department or provider.
What is the OSHA form used for in a healthcare setting?
What is "to document workplace incidents or injuries for compliance and safety"?
What method is not effective for increasing circulation before a finger stick?
What is "holding the hand above the heart"?
Why should healthcare workers avoid using medical jargon with patients?
What is "to ensure understanding and reduce confusion or anxiety"?
What is a good method to build confidence before the test?
Join study groups, review NHA materials, and take practice tests
What is one responsibility MAs can take on during informed consent?
Support the provider while they explain the procedure and risks.
What information belongs in the database section of a patient’s record?
What is "health history and lab results"?
What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?
What is "sterilization kills all microorganisms; disinfection only reduces them"?
What is one way to build trust with pediatric patients?
What is "show empathy and use friendly explanations to reduce fear"?
Why is it important to understand the role of community support during preparation?
Engaging with peers builds motivation and allows for shared resources and encouragement.
What are two spinal curvatures an MA might encounter in patient care?
kyphosis and scoliosis
What is the purpose of progress notes in the medical record?
What is "to document each visit, including complaints, observations, and care plan"?
How do you prepare children for medical procedures?
What is "use comforting, age-appropriate language and explain gently"?
How should you communicate procedure costs to a patient in the office?
What is "use the fee schedule and speak directly with them—don’t rely on mail"?
What is a key strategy for managing test anxiety before and during the CCMA exam?
Practice deep breathing and grounding techniques before and during the exam, get a good night’s sleep beforehand, and use positive self-talk to stay focused and confident.
Describe how to respond if a patient requests a provider of a specific gender.
What is "accommodate respectfully without judgment or pressure"?
Define the SOAP format and what each letter stands for.
What is "Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan—a method for clinical notes"?
Which patient position is best for obtaining a rectal temperature?
What is "the Sim's position"?
What are CLIA waived tests? And name two examples.
What is "simple, on-site tests/results like pregnancy and strep tests"?