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CCBMA Clinical Exam: Practice Questions

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CCBMA Clinical Exam: Practice Questions

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300
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About these practice questions

These practice questions will help you prepare for the CCBMA Clinical Exam.

This practice test contains 300 practice questions covering the six sections of the CCBMA Clinical Exam:

  1. Infection Control
  2. Patient Preparation
  3. Lab Procedures/Diagnostic Testing
  4. Patient History
  5. Administering Medications
  6. Office Emergencies

All questions have been carefully designed to reflect the questions on the real exam, to help you prepare and get a passing grade.

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Sample practice questions

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Section 1: Infection Control

1) Which type of asepsis is the absence of all microorganisms during an invasive procedure?
  1. Clean technique
  2. Medical asepsis
    Medical asepsis involves reducing the number of microorganisms to a safe level. This is achieved through hand-washing, cleaning, and disinfection.
  3. Sterile technique
  4. Surgical asepsis
    Surgical asepsis is the total absence of microorganisms from a specific area or object. This is achieved through sterilization techniques such as autoclaving or chemical sterilization.
2) What is the name for chemicals that kill microorganisms on the skin?
  1. Antibiotics
  2. Antiseptics
    An antiseptic is a chemical applied to living tissue to reduce the risk of sepsis or infection. Disinfectants kill microorganisms from objects.
  3. Biocides
  4. Disinfectants
3) The ____________ wheel is a medical device used to test nerve reactions.
  1. Dietrich
  2. Hofman
  3. Wartenberg
    Wartenberg wheels, also known as Wartenberg pinwheels or Wartenberg neurowheels, are medical devices for testing nerve reactions.
  4. Zimmermann
4) What does a sphygmomanometer measure?
  1. Blood pressure
    A sphygmomanometer, also known as a blood pressure monitor, measures blood pressure. It consists of an inflatable cuff which is wrapped around the arm.
  2. Body temperature
  3. Motor reflexes
  4. The density of liquids
5) What is a cannula?
  1. A device for delivering gas by mouth
  2. A specialised type of medical forceps
  3. A tool for looking inside the gastrointestinal tract
  4. A tube inserted into the body
    A cannula is a tube inserted into the body. It is used to deliver or remove fluid or to gather samples.
6) A disinfectant may become ineffective if:
  1. it is kept in a dark place
  2. it is left at room temperature
  3. it is not diluted properly
    Disinfectants are often supplied as concentrated solutions, which need to be diluted to the correct concentration before use. If a disinfectant is not diluted correctly, it may not be effective.
  4. the container is kept tightly sealed during storage
7) What is the term for the destruction of all microorganisms, including spores?
  1. Disinfection
    Disinfection destroys microorganisms, but not usually spores.
  2. Eradication
  3. Sanitation
  4. Sterilization
    Sterilization destroys all forms of life, including spores.
8) Which of these substances would be the best solution to clean up a large blood spill?
  1. 1:10 dilution of bleach
    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a 1:10 dilution of bleach for cleaning large blood spills. Bleach kills most pathogens effectively, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. For small spills, a dilution of 1:100 can be used.
  2. 70% isopropyl alcohol
  3. Antibacterial soap and water
  4. Povidone-iodine
9) Which of these ethyl alcohol dilutions is the most effective disinfectant?
  1. 10% ethyl alcohol
  2. 40% ethyl alcohol
  3. 70% ethyl alcohol
    Alcohol is most effective as a disinfectant when it is diluted with water to a solution of 60–90% alcohol.
  4. 100% ethyl alcohol
10) Which of these items is NOT found in biohazard spill kits?
  1. Autoclavable waste bags
  2. Disinfectant
  3. Petri dishes
    Biohazard spill kits contain items for safely cleaning up and disposing of biohazardous materials. This typically includes absorbent material, disinfectant, autoclavable waste bags, gloves, and safety goggles.
  4. Safety goggles
11) When does autoclave tape change color?
  1. When organisms have been killed
  2. When sterilization has taken place
    Autoclave tape does not prove that sterilization was successful.
  3. When the autoclave is nearing the end of its warranty
  4. When the autoclave reaches a specific temperature
    Autoclave tape changes color when the autoclave reaches a specific temperature. This tells you at a glance whether an item has been through an autoclave cycle.
12) What should you use to wash the inside of autoclaves?
  1. A disinfectant
  2. A mild detergent
    Generally, you should wash the inside of the autoclave with a cloth, mild detergent, and warm water. Harsh chemicals and abrasive materials can damage the autoclave.
  3. An antiseptic
  4. Saltwater
13) A lab assistant is wrapping an instrument for autoclaving but discovers the wrapper has a hole. What should the lab assistant do?
  1. Get a new wrapper
    If a lab assistant discovers that the wrapper for an instrument has a hole before autoclaving, the instrument should not be sterilized in that wrapper. This is because the hole may allow microorganisms to enter the package after sterilization, leading to contamination of the instrument. The lab assistant should use a new wrapper to package the instrument for autoclaving.
  2. Ignore the hole and continue wrapping the instrument
  3. Repair the hole with adhesive tape
  4. Throw the instrument away
14) What type of water does an autoclave use?
  1. Distilled water
    Autoclaves require distilled water or deionized water to function properly.
  2. Mineral water
  3. Saltwater
  4. Tap water
15) Why must air be removed from an autoclave during sterilization?
  1. Air causes cold spots in the autoclave
    Air in an autoclave acts as an insulator and could cause cold spots. These cold spots can compromise the sterilization process.
  2. Air increases the risk of explosion
  3. Any water in the air will dilute the sterilizing agents
  4. Steam can break the glassware
16) Which item of lab equipment sterilizes using pressurized steam?
  1. Autoclave
    Autoclaves sterilize equipment by subjecting it to pressurized steam. In comparison, dry heat sterilizers and ovens use hot air for sterilization.
  2. Dry heat sterilizer
  3. Fume hood
  4. Oven
17) Which process kills all microorganisms, including spores?
  1. Cleaning
    Cleaning removes dirt and debris but does not necessarily kill microorganisms.
  2. Disinfection
    Disinfection kills most microorganisms but may not eliminate spores. The spore form of bacteria is difficult to kill with disinfectants.
  3. Sanitization
    Sanitization may reduce the number of microorganisms to a safe level but does not eliminate them.
  4. Sterilization
    Sterilization is a process that destroys all microbial life, including spores. Sterilization methods include moist heat (autoclaves) or dry heat (ovens).
18) Why should a dry-heat sterilizer remain closed throughout the sterilization cycle?
  1. To avoid damaging the oven
  2. To ensure complete sterilization
    If you open a dry-heat sterilizer during sterilization, the sterilizer will cool slightly, and the temperature drop may interrupt sterilization. For this reason, it is important to keep a dry-heat sterilizer closed throughout the sterilization cycle.
  3. To prevent moisture from entering the chamber
  4. To prevent oxygen from entering the chamber
19) Which of these methods results in sterilization?
  1. Autoclaving
    Autoclaving sterilizes by destroying all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.
  2. Chemical disinfectants
    Chemical disinfectants destroy many microorganisms, but do not necessarily achieve sterilization and may not be effective against spores.
  3. Freezing
    Freezing doesn't kill microorganisms; it only stops their growth.
  4. Soap and water
    Soap and water reduce the number of microorganisms, but do not kill all of them.
20) At what temperature do hot air ovens sterilize glassware in 60 minutes?
  1. 100°C
  2. 121°C
  3. 140°C
  4. 160°C
    Hot air ovens can sterilize in 30 minutes at 170°C, 60 minutes at 160°C, and 150 minutes at 150°C.

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About the CCBMA Clinical Exam

What is the CCBMA Clinical Exam?

The California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) exams are exams that test your knowledge of medical assisting. They are designed for entry-level medical assistants.

The exams are set by the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA), a private non-profit corporation.

There are three CCMA exams: Basic, Administrative and Clinical. The Clinical exam tests your knowledge of clinical procedures such as administering injections, performing skin tests, and performing venipuncture.

To become certified by the CCMA, you must pass:

  1. the Basic examination and
  2. either the Administrative exam or Clinical exam.

Eligibility requirements

To take the CCBMA Clinical Exam, you must be at least 18 years old and have CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification. You must also meet one of the following requirements:

  • Currently employed as a medical assistant in the United States
  • Graduated from an accredited medical assisting program in the United States in the last year
  • Have worked as a medical assistant in the United States for two years during the last five years
  • Currently employed as a medical assisting instructor in the United States
  • Member of the US military with relevant training
You must almost provide proof of training in administering injections and performing skin tests, and/or training in venipuncture and skin puncture for the purpose of withdrawing blood.

How to apply for the exam

You apply for the exam, you must apply online at the CCBMA website (ccbma.org). Upon approval of your application, CCBMA will send you an email with instructions on how to schedule your exam.

What's the exam like?

The exam takes place several times a year at testing centers across California. On your exam day, you'll need to go your local Pearson VUE testing center. The staff there will check your identity document to confirm your identity. There will be a locker for you to keep your belongings. Then you'll be shown to a computer where you'll do the exam.

The Clinical Exam lasts one hour and consists of 125 multiple-choice questions. There are no breaks.

Don't bring calculators to the exam. Calculators will be provided on request at the testing center.

Passing the exam

Passing the exams gives you a CCBMA credential. There are three credentials you can receive:

  • Passing the Basic and Administrative examinations gives you a CCMA-A credential.
  • Passing the Basic and Clinical Examinations gives you a CCMA-C credential.
  • Passing the Basic, Administrative and Clinical Examinations gives you a CCMA-AC credential.

What if I fail the exam?

If you fail the exam, you can retake it two more times. The retake fee is $105.

If you fail a third time, you can only retake the exam again if you work as a medical assistant. If you don't work as a medical assistant, then you'll no longer be able to retake the exam.

What if I need to cancel my exam?

To cancel your exam, you'll need to write to CCBMA at least 15 days before your exam date. You'll also need to contact Pearson VUE to have your scheduled appointment cancelled. After you've cancelled your exam, CCBMA will refund you the application fee minus a $50 processing charge.

What if I need to reschedule my exam?

To reschedule the exam, you'll need to contact Pearson VUE at the phone number found on your eligibility letter.

Structure of the exam

The CCMA Clinical Examination has six sections:

  • Section A: Infection Control
  • Section B: Patient Preparation
  • Section C: Lab Procedures/diagnostic Testing
  • Section D: Patient History
  • Section E: Administering Medications
  • Section F: Office Emergencies

Section A: Infection Control

The first section of the Clinical Exam, Infection Control, is worth 10% of the exam and includes the following topics:

  • Asepsis
  • Sterilization
  • Minor surgery

Section B: Patient Preparation

The second section of the exam, Patient Preparation, is the most important section because it is worth 25% of the exam. The section includes the following topics:

  • Vital signs
  • Examinations
    • Examination instruments
    • Body positions

Section C: Lab Procedures/Diagnostic Testing

The third section of the Clinical Exam, Lab Procedures/Diagnostic Testing, is worth 20% of the exam and will ask you quetions about:

  • Specimen collection
  • Specimen processing
  • Screening tests (urinalysis, hematology, pregnancy testing, ECGs, vision testing)

Section D: Patient History

The fourth section of the Clinical Exam, Patient History, is the least important as it is only worth 5% of the exam. It will ask you questions about patient medical history.

Section E: Administering Medications

The fifth section of the exam, Administering Medications, is worth 20% and will ask you questions about:

  • Medications
  • Side effects
  • Drug dosages
  • Measurement systems
  • Methods of administration
  • Prescriptions
  • Controlled substances

Section F: Office Emergencies

The final section, Office Emergencies, is worth 20% of the exam and will ask you questions about:

  • Emergency procedures
  • Emergency equipment
  • First aid (bleeding, burns, heart attack, choking, fractures, seizures, and shock)