CCMA clinical patient care practice test: vitals, care and infection control

Clinical Patient Care is 84 of the 150 scored questions on the NHA CCMA exam, 56%. These two free drills cover the biggest part of it: patient intake and vitals with general patient care, and infection control and safety with point-of-care testing. Each is 12 original questions with every answer explained; phlebotomy and EKG have their own pages.

84
scored items in this domain: 56%
of the scored exam: 66
questions in our mock: 2 × 12
free drill questions

Last checked 22 October 2026 · From the NHA test plan; clinical rules from the CDC, ACC/AHA and ADA

Free drills: 12 original CCMA-style questions each, at the real exam's pace, then every answer explained. No sign-up.

12
questions
12 min
time limit
Free
every answer explained

By the LifeScore Editorial Team · Updated 22 October 2026 · How we check facts · How this is scored

What is on the CCMA clinical patient care domain?

General patient care 28 items, infection control and safety 15, patient intake and vitals 14, phlebotomy 12, point-of-care testing and laboratory procedures 9, and EKG and cardiovascular testing 6.

What each part asks
Part	What the questions ask
Intake and vitals	Identifying the patient, the chief complaint and history, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, SpO2, height, weight, BMI, pain
General patient care	Positions and draping, exam assisting, vision and hearing screening, injections and medication administration, wound care, minor procedures, emergencies
Infection control and safety	Medical and surgical asepsis, hand hygiene, PPE, standard and transmission-based precautions, sharps, spills, fire and chemical safety
Point-of-care testing and lab	Glucose and A1c, urine and strep tests, quality control, CLIA-waived testing, specimen collection and handling

What vital signs do you need to know for the CCMA?

The normal adult ranges and how to measure each one accurately, plus the 2017 ACC/AHA blood pressure categories: normal under 120/80, elevated 120 to 129 with diastolic under 80, stage 1 130 to 139 or 80 to 89, stage 2 140 or 90 and above.

Normal adult resting vital signs and blood pressure categories
Measure	Range	Note
Pulse	60 to 100 beats per minute	Under 60 is bradycardia; over 100 is tachycardia
Respirations	12 to 20 breaths per minute	Count for 30 seconds and double if regular, without telling the patient
Oral temperature	About 97.6°F to 99.6°F	Rectal reads about 1°F higher; axillary about 1°F lower
Pulse oximetry	95% to 100%	Under 90% needs the provider now
Blood pressure: normal	Under 120 and under 80	2017 ACC/AHA
Blood pressure: elevated	120 to 129 and under 80	2017 ACC/AHA
Blood pressure: stage 1	130 to 139 or 80 to 89	2017 ACC/AHA
Blood pressure: stage 2	140 or higher, or 90 or higher	2017 ACC/AHA

Technique questions are as common as range questions: the patient seated with feet flat and back supported, the arm at heart level, the right cuff size (too small reads falsely high), five minutes of rest, and no talking. For a pulse that is irregular, count the apical pulse for a full minute; for an infant, always use the apical pulse.

When a reading falls in a different category on the systolic and diastolic numbers, the higher category applies. That rule decides many blood pressure questions.

CCMA-style question 1 · Blood pressure
A patient's blood pressure is 132/78 mm Hg. Under the 2017 ACC/AHA categories, how is it classified?
1. ANormal
2. BElevated
3. CStage 1 hypertension
4. DStage 2 hypertension
Worked answer
C: Stage 1 hypertension. Stage 1 hypertension is a systolic of 130 to 139 or a diastolic of 80 to 89. The systolic 132 is in that range, so the reading is stage 1 even though the diastolic is under 80.
1. Systolic 132: 130 to 139 is stage 1.
2. Diastolic 78: under 80, normal on its own.
3. The higher category wins: stage 1 hypertension.
The trap: Calling it elevated because the diastolic is normal. Elevated needs a systolic of 120 to 129.
CCMA-style question 2 · Temperature
A patient's temperature is 38.5°C. What is it in Fahrenheit?
1. A99.5°F
2. B100.4°F
3. C101.3°F
4. D102.5°F
Show the worked answer
C: 101.3°F. Multiply by 9/5 (1.8) and add 32: 38.5 × 1.8 = 69.3, and 69.3 + 32 = 101.3°F.
1. °F = °C × 1.8 + 32
2. 38.5 × 1.8 = 69.3
3. 69.3 + 32 = 101.3°F
The trap: Adding 32 before multiplying. The order is multiply, then add.

Four drills for each area

Eight full 150-question mocks and 28 drills, with vitals, doses and categories generated fresh every time.

The CCMA Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 28 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.

Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The CCMA Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.

See the CCMA Pass Pack How our questions are built and checked

8
timed mocks: 28
topic drills: 1
score predictor

What injection angles and sites are on the CCMA exam?

Intramuscular at 90 degrees (deltoid for most adult vaccines, vastus lateralis for infants), subcutaneous at 45 degrees (back of the upper arm, abdomen, thigh), and intradermal at 10 to 15 degrees on the inner forearm, as for a TB skin test.

Injection routes at a glance
Route	Angle	Common sites	Typical needle
Intramuscular (IM)	90°	Deltoid; vastus lateralis in infants; ventrogluteal	22 to 25 gauge, 1 to 1.5 inch for most adults
Subcutaneous (subcut)	45°	Back of upper arm, abdomen, front of thigh	23 to 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
Intradermal (ID)	10° to 15°	Inner forearm	26 to 27 gauge, 3/8 to 1/2 inch

Dosage questions use one formula: desired dose ÷ dose on hand × quantity. Convert to the same unit first (1 g = 1,000 mg; 1 kg = 2.2 lb). Check the answer makes sense: a calculation that asks a patient to swallow 20 tablets is wrong.

Before any medication, check the rights (right patient, drug, dose, route, time and documentation), confirm two identifiers and allergies, and give the Vaccine Information Statement before a vaccine.

CCMA-style question 1 · Injections
A provider orders an intramuscular hepatitis B vaccine for an adult. Which site and angle are correct?
1. ADeltoid, at 90 degrees
2. BDeltoid, at 45 degrees
3. CAbdomen, at 45 degrees
4. DInner forearm, at 15 degrees
Show the worked answer
A: Deltoid, at 90 degrees. Intramuscular injections go in at 90 degrees, and the deltoid is the usual site for an adult vaccine. 45 degrees is used for subcutaneous injections, and 10 to 15 degrees on the inner forearm is intradermal, as for a TB skin test.
1. Route: intramuscular, so 90 degrees.
2. Adult vaccine: the deltoid.
3. The other options describe subcutaneous and intradermal injections.
The trap: Choosing 45 degrees for the deltoid. The angle comes from the route, and IM is always 90.
CCMA-style question 2 · Dosage
The order is for 0.5 g of a medication by mouth. The tablets on hand are 250 mg each. How many tablets should be given?
1. A2 tablets
2. B1/2 tablet
3. C5 tablets
4. D20 tablets
Worked answer
A: 2 tablets. 0.5 g is 500 mg. 500 mg ÷ 250 mg per tablet = 2 tablets.
1. Same units first: 0.5 g × 1,000 = 500 mg.
2. Desired ÷ have: 500 ÷ 250.
3. = 2 tablets.
The trap: Dividing without converting: 0.5 ÷ 250 gives a nonsense answer. Convert grams to milligrams first.

What infection control is on the CCMA exam?

The chain of infection, hand hygiene, the CDC order for putting on and taking off PPE, standard precautions for every patient, and contact, droplet or airborne precautions for specific illnesses.

Transmission-based precautions (CDC)
Precaution	Examples	Key PPE and room
Contact	MRSA, C. difficile, scabies	Gown and gloves; dedicated equipment; soap and water for C. difficile
Droplet	Influenza, pertussis, mumps	Surgical mask; patient masked; private room or 3 feet of separation
Airborne	Tuberculosis, measles, chickenpox	N95 or higher respirator; airborne infection isolation room, door closed

PPE goes on in the order gown, mask or respirator, goggles or face shield, gloves, and comes off dirtiest first: gloves, goggles or face shield, gown, then mask or respirator, with hand hygiene at the end. Alcohol rub is fine for most hand hygiene, but visibly soiled hands and C. difficile need soap and water.

CCMA-style question 1 · PPE
In what order does the CDC say to put on PPE?
1. AGloves, gown, mask, goggles
2. BGown, mask or respirator, goggles or face shield, gloves
3. CMask, gloves, gown, goggles
4. DGoggles, gloves, mask, gown
Worked answer
B: Gown, mask or respirator, goggles or face shield, gloves. The CDC donning sequence is gown, then mask or respirator, then goggles or face shield, then gloves. Gloves go on last so they cover the gown cuffs and stay clean.
1. Gown first: it is the largest item.
2. Then mask, then eye protection.
3. Gloves last, pulled over the gown cuffs.
The trap: Putting gloves on first. They would be contaminated by handling the rest of the PPE.
CCMA-style question 2 · Transmission-based precautions
A child with suspected measles arrives at the clinic. Which precautions does the CDC call for?
1. AContact precautions
2. BDroplet precautions
3. CAirborne precautions
4. DStandard precautions only
Show the worked answer
C: Airborne precautions. Measles spreads on tiny particles that stay in the air, so it needs airborne precautions: a private room with the door closed (an airborne infection isolation room where available) and an N95 or higher respirator for staff.
1. How does measles spread? On airborne particles.
2. Airborne spread needs airborne precautions.
3. Room the child at once to protect the waiting room.
The trap: Choosing droplet, as for influenza or pertussis. Measles, chickenpox and TB are the classic airborne three.

What point-of-care tests are on the CCMA exam?

CLIA-waived tests done in the office: capillary glucose, hemoglobin A1c, urine dipstick and pregnancy tests, rapid strep and flu swabs, hemoglobin, and the quality control that keeps them accurate.

Run controls as the manufacturer and office policy require, and record them; do not report patient results if a control fails.
Fasting glucose: under 100 mg/dL normal, 100 to 125 prediabetes range, 126 or higher diabetes range. Under 70 is low.
A1c: under 5.7% normal, 5.7% to 6.4% prediabetes range, 6.5% or higher diabetes range.
Capillary puncture: wipe away the first drop, which holds tissue fluid; do not squeeze hard.
Urine: a clean-catch midstream specimen for culture; test or refrigerate within the time the test allows.
The medical assistant performs and records the test. The provider interprets it.

CCMA-style question 1 · Point-of-care testing
A patient's hemoglobin A1c is 6.0%. Which range does that fall in, using the ADA cutoffs?
1. ANormal
2. BPrediabetes range
3. CDiabetes range
4. DHypoglycemia
Worked answer
B: Prediabetes range. The ADA ranges are: under 5.7% normal, 5.7% to 6.4% prediabetes, 6.5% or higher diabetes. 6.0% is in the prediabetes range. The medical assistant records and reports it; the provider interprets it.
1. Under 5.7%: normal.
2. 5.7% to 6.4%: prediabetes. 6.0% fits.
3. 6.5% or more: diabetes.
The trap: Calling it normal because 6 sounds low. The cutoffs are narrow, so learn the exact numbers.

Practise both parts in the free drills above, then take the full CCMA practice test. The phlebotomy and EKG parts of this domain have their own pages: phlebotomy practice test and EKG practice test.

Frequently asked questions

What blood pressure is stage 1 hypertension?

A systolic of 130 to 139 or a diastolic of 80 to 89, under the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline.

Which illnesses need airborne precautions?

Tuberculosis, measles and chickenpox (varicella) are the classic three.

What is the normal adult pulse?

60 to 100 beats per minute at rest.

Do medical assistants interpret test results?

No. They perform and record CLIA-waived tests and report results; the provider interprets them.

Are these real CCMA questions?

No. They are original CCMA-style questions written from CDC, ACC/AHA and ADA guidance. LifeScore is not affiliated with NHA.

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