CCMA eye, ear and respiratory procedures practice questions, with every answer explained

1. At 40 feet, the patient reads what normal vision reads at 20 feet
2. The patient has 40 percent of normal vision
3. The patient missed 20 of the 40 letters on the chart
4. At 20 feet, the patient reads what normal vision reads at 40 feet

Answer: D. The top number is the testing distance (20 feet), and the bottom number is the distance at which a person with normal vision could read that line. 20/40 vision is worse than 20/20.

Why not A: The numbers are reversed; the testing distance is on top.

Why not B: Snellen fractions are not percentages of vision.

Why not C: The fraction does not count missed letters.

Exam tactic: Top = where you stand. Bottom = where a normal eye could read it. Bigger bottom = worse.

1. From the inner canthus toward the outer canthus
2. Upward from the lower lid toward the brow
3. From the outer canthus toward the inner canthus
4. Directly onto the center of the cornea

Answer: A. The patient's head is tilted toward the affected side and solution flows from the inner corner (near the nose) outward, so contaminants wash away from the tear duct and the other eye. The stream is gentle and not aimed at the cornea.

Why not B: Irrigation flows across the eye horizontally, not upward.

Why not C: Flowing toward the nose can carry debris into the tear duct or the other eye.

Why not D: A direct stream on the cornea can injure it.

Exam tactic: Eye irrigation: inner to outer, head tilted to the affected side.

1. Pull the pinna down and back and fully block the canal with the syringe tip
2. Use very hot solution to soften the wax faster
3. Use cold solution and aim the stream directly at the eardrum
4. Use solution near body temperature, pull the pinna up and back, and aim toward the canal roof

Answer: D. Solution near body temperature prevents dizziness. For adults the pinna is pulled up and back to straighten the canal, and the stream is directed along the top of the canal so fluid can flow back out without pressure on the eardrum.

Why not A: Down and back is for young children, and blocking the canal builds pressure.

Why not B: Hot solution can burn the canal and cause dizziness.

Why not C: Cold solution causes vertigo, and aiming at the eardrum can injure it.

Exam tactic: Ear irrigation: body temp, up and back (adults), aim at the roof.

1. Tonometer
2. Audiometer
3. Spirometer
4. Otoscope

Answer: B. An audiometer delivers tones at set frequencies (pitch) and decibel levels (loudness) to each ear and records the quietest tone the patient hears, producing an audiogram.

Why not A: A tonometer measures intraocular pressure.

Why not C: A spirometer measures lung volumes and airflow.

Why not D: An otoscope views the ear canal and eardrum.

Exam tactic: Audio = hearing.

1. Breathe in sharply through the mouthpiece instead of blowing out
2. Blow gently into the meter once and record that single value
3. Sit slouched in the chair and breathe out slowly for ten seconds
4. Stand, inhale fully, blow out hard and fast; record the best of three

Answer: D. Peak expiratory flow measures how fast air can be forced out. The patient stands (or sits up straight), inhales fully, seals lips around the mouthpiece, and blows out hard and fast. Three attempts are made and the highest value recorded.

Why not A: Peak flow meters measure exhaled, not inhaled, air.

Why not B: A single gentle effort underestimates the peak flow.

Why not C: Slouching and slow exhalation lower the reading.

Exam tactic: Peak flow: stand, deep breath, hard fast blast, best of three.

1. It holds the medication so more reaches the lungs instead of the mouth and throat
2. It makes the inhaler work without pressing the canister
3. It replaces the need to shake the inhaler
4. It measures the patient's peak flow at the same time

Answer: A. A spacer (holding chamber) slows the spray and holds the medication, reducing the need for perfect timing and increasing delivery to the lungs. It also reduces medication deposited in the mouth and throat.

Why not B: The canister still has to be pressed.

Why not C: The inhaler is still shaken as directed.

Why not D: A spacer does not measure airflow.

Exam tactic: Spacer = more to the lungs, less to the mouth.

1. To calculate the charge for the visit
2. To compare the child's growth with age norms and track the pattern over time
3. To determine the child's final adult height with certainty
4. To decide which vaccines the child should skip

Answer: B. Growth charts show percentiles for length or height, weight, and head circumference by age and sex. A single percentile matters less than the trend: crossing percentile lines can signal a problem the provider will evaluate.

Why not A: Growth charts are clinical tools, not billing tools.

Why not C: Charts show patterns and percentiles, not certain predictions.

Why not D: Growth charts do not determine vaccine schedules.

Exam tactic: Growth charts: the trend matters more than any single point.

1. Tell the child the shot will not hurt at all, so there's no need to worry
2. Explain nothing beforehand so the child does not get scared
3. Give the injection by surprise so it is over before the child notices
4. Explain briefly and honestly, and let the child pick which arm

Answer: D. Honest, age-appropriate explanations build trust. Offering safe choices gives the child a sense of control, and distraction and comfort positioning with a parent help. Promising no pain damages trust when it does hurt.

Why not A: Promising no pain undermines trust.

Why not B: Children cope better when they know what to expect.

Why not C: Surprise injections increase fear and future anxiety.

Exam tactic: Kids: honest, simple, a small choice, lots of comfort.

1. Encouraging the patient to walk quickly between rooms to save time
2. Clear walkways, chairs with arms, and help on and off the table
3. Waxed, shiny floors in the hallways so they look clean and safe
4. Low, dim lighting throughout the office to keep patients calm

Answer: B. Fall prevention includes clear, well-lit pathways, nonslip floors, chairs with armrests, grab bars, and hands-on assistance with transfers. Patients using walkers or canes keep them within reach.

Why not A: Rushing increases fall risk.

Why not C: Shiny floors increase slipping.

Why not D: Poor lighting increases trips and falls.

Exam tactic: Clear, lit, grab-able, assisted.

1. Peak expiratory flow
2. Fundal height, measured in centimeters
3. Visual acuity
4. Head circumference of the mother

Answer: B. Fundal height is measured from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. Between about 20 and 36 weeks, the measurement in centimeters roughly matches the weeks of gestation, helping the provider track fetal growth.

Why not A: Peak flow is a respiratory measurement.

Why not C: Visual acuity is not used to monitor pregnancy.

Why not D: Maternal head circumference is not a prenatal growth measure.

Exam tactic: Fundal height in cm ≈ weeks of pregnancy (roughly 20 to 36 weeks).