General patient care is 28 of the 150 scored items on the NHA CCMA. Answer 10 exam style questions on emergencies and first aid and see exactly which concepts would cost you points on test day.
Start the 10 questions →For adult CPR performed by a single rescuer, what is the compression-to-ventilation ratio?
These questions cover CPR, AED, choking, diabetic and seizures. Each one shows the correct answer and why every other option is wrong, so a miss tells you exactly what to review before the CCMA.
Prefer to read first? Every question from the practice set above, with the correct answer and why each wrong option is wrong.
Answer: B. Adult CPR uses cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths, whether there are one or two rescuers, until an advanced airway is placed. Compressions are fast (100 to 120 per minute) and deep (at least 2 inches in adults), allowing full chest recoil.
Why not A: 15:2 is used for two-rescuer CPR on infants and children, not adults.
Why not C: 10:1 is not a standard CPR ratio.
Why not D: 5:1 is an outdated ratio.
Exam tactic: Adult CPR: 30:2, 100 to 120 per minute, at least 2 inches deep.
Answer: B. The AED is used as soon as it is available: power on, apply pads to the bare, dry chest, and follow the prompts. Everyone stands clear during rhythm analysis and shock delivery, and CPR resumes immediately after a shock or 'no shock advised' prompt.
Why not A: Delaying defibrillation lowers survival.
Why not C: Both pads are required, and the device decides whether a shock is indicated.
Why not D: The pads stay on so the AED can reanalyze during the resuscitation.
Exam tactic: AED arrives: on, pads, prompts, clear.
Answer: D. Inability to speak, cough, or breathe indicates severe airway obstruction. Current AHA guidelines (2025) call for cycles of 5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled. If the person becomes unresponsive, the rescuer calls for help, lowers them to the ground, and starts CPR, looking in the mouth for a visible object before giving breaths.
Why not A: Liquids can worsen the obstruction and cause aspiration.
Why not B: A person who cannot cough or speak needs immediate intervention.
Why not C: Blind finger sweeps can push the object deeper.
Exam tactic: Can't talk, can't cough, can't breathe = 5 back blows, 5 abdominal thrusts, repeat.
Answer: A. An unresponsive patient cannot protect the airway, so fluids or food by mouth may be aspirated into the lungs. The response is to call for help, assess breathing and pulse, begin CPR if needed, and follow the provider's direction, which may include checking glucose or giving glucagon or IV glucose.
Why not B: A glucose check may be appropriate when directed and trained.
Why not C: Assessing responsiveness and breathing is the first step.
Why not D: Calling for help is essential.
Exam tactic: Unresponsive = nothing by mouth. Ever.
Answer: C. During a seizure, the goal is to prevent injury: cushion the head, clear the area, loosen tight clothing, and note the time. Nothing is placed in the mouth. Afterward, the patient is turned onto the side to keep the airway clear. Emergency services are called for a seizure lasting more than about 5 minutes, repeated seizures, or injury.
Why not A: Objects in the mouth can break teeth or block the airway.
Why not B: Restraint can cause injury.
Why not D: The patient may not be fully alert and could choke.
Exam tactic: Seizure: protect, time, nothing in the mouth, side after.
Answer: A. Placing the patient supine with the legs raised helps return blood to the brain. The medical assistant stays with the patient, checks vital signs, loosens tight clothing, and notifies the provider. The patient rises slowly once recovered.
Why not B: An unconscious patient should not be propped sitting.
Why not C: Standing risks another faint and a fall.
Why not D: The prone position makes airway and breathing assessment difficult.
Exam tactic: Fainted and breathing: flat, legs up, stay, notify.
Answer: D. BE-FAST checks balance, eyes, face, arms, and speech, with T for time to call. Stroke treatments are time-dependent, so the time of symptom onset (last known well) is critical and emergency services are activated immediately while the provider is alerted.
Why not A: Waiting delays time-critical treatment.
Why not B: Giving medication without an order is outside scope and aspirin is harmful in hemorrhagic stroke.
Why not C: Sending home a patient with stroke signs is dangerous.
Exam tactic: Stroke signs: note the time, call now.
Answer: B. In shock, poor tissue perfusion causes pale, cool, clammy skin, a fast and weak pulse, rapid breathing, restlessness or confusion, and eventually low blood pressure. The provider and emergency services are alerted, the patient kept lying down and warm.
Why not A: A slow, strong pulse with warm skin is not typical of shock.
Why not C: Normal vital signs do not suggest shock.
Why not D: High blood pressure is not a sign of shock.
Exam tactic: Shock: pale, cold, clammy, fast weak pulse.
Answer: D. Confusion with a very high body temperature after heat exposure suggests heat stroke, a medical emergency. Emergency services are called and cooling begins immediately (moving to a cool area, removing excess clothing, applying cool water or ice packs) as directed.
Why not A: Hot drinks add heat and do not help.
Why not B: Further heat exposure worsens the condition.
Why not C: Heat stroke does not resolve safely without intervention.
Exam tactic: Hot + confused = heat stroke. Call and cool.
Answer: C. A suspected fracture is immobilized in the position found to prevent further injury, with cold packs (wrapped) to reduce swelling and pain and elevation when possible. Circulation, movement, and sensation beyond the injury are checked.
Why not A: Heat increases swelling in an acute injury.
Why not B: Attempting realignment can damage vessels and nerves.
Why not D: Moving a possible fracture causes pain and further injury.
Exam tactic: Suspected fracture: splint as found, ice, elevate, check below.
The free 20 question diagnostic covers all 12 areas of the CCMA outline and shows the 3 fixes worth the most points.
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