Administrative assisting is 12 of the 150 scored items on the NHA CCMA. Answer 10 exam style questions on front office and telephone skills and see exactly which concepts would cost you points on test day.
Start the 10 questions →A caller says their elderly mother is suddenly confused and cannot lift her right arm. What should the medical assistant do?
These questions cover telephone triage, telephone etiquette, referral processing, check-out and waiting room. 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: D. Sudden confusion and one-sided weakness are stroke warning signs. Telephone triage protocols direct the caller to emergency services immediately; the call is then documented and the provider informed.
Why not A: A message delays time-critical treatment.
Why not B: A routine appointment delays emergency care.
Why not C: Waiting can cause permanent harm.
Exam tactic: Stroke signs on the phone = 911 now.
Answer: A. PHI is shared only with people the patient has authorized (or as otherwise permitted by law). Staff verify identity and authorization documented in the record before discussing anything.
Why not B: Authorized family members may be given information.
Why not C: Family relationship alone does not authorize access.
Why not D: Any results are PHI.
Exam tactic: Family ≠ authorized. Check the record.
Answer: B. Referral tracking confirms the appointment was scheduled and attended and the consultation report was received and reviewed by the provider. This 'closes the loop' on care.
Why not A: Referral records are kept for tracking.
Why not C: Sending is only the first step.
Why not D: Relying on the patient risks lost reports.
Exam tactic: Referral isn't done until the report is back.
Answer: C. Check-out includes scheduling follow-up appointments, providing instructions or referrals, collecting any balance due, and giving receipts.
Why not A: The exam is performed by the provider.
Why not B: Vital signs are taken at intake.
Why not D: Blood draws happen in the clinical area.
Exam tactic: Check-out: next visit, paperwork, payment.
Answer: B. Any patient appearing acutely ill in the waiting room needs immediate clinical attention. Front desk staff alert clinical staff or the provider at once and follow the emergency plan.
Why not A: Insurance is not a priority in an emergency.
Why not C: Paperwork is irrelevant in an emergency.
Why not D: Waiting can allow the patient to deteriorate.
Exam tactic: Sick in the lobby = get help now.
Answer: A. Language needs are recorded at scheduling so a qualified interpreter (in person, phone, or video) is arranged for the visit. This supports safety and meets language access obligations.
Why not B: Limiting scheduling can deny access to care.
Why not C: This is discriminatory and inappropriate.
Why not D: Children should not interpret medical information.
Exam tactic: Flag it at booking; book the interpreter.
Answer: A. Medical assistants may fill in demographic and administrative portions and route forms to the provider, who completes clinical content and signs. Release of the form follows authorization rules.
Why not B: Signing another's name is forgery.
Why not C: Clinical statements must reflect the provider's judgment.
Why not D: Handling forms is a routine administrative task.
Exam tactic: MA prepares; provider decides and signs.
Answer: D. Name alerts and consistent use of two identifiers (such as name and date of birth) at every step prevent wrong-patient errors in records, orders, and billing.
Why not A: Times shift during the day.
Why not B: Names alone cannot distinguish the patients.
Why not C: Patients cannot be expected to identify charts.
Exam tactic: Same name? Two identifiers, every time.
Answer: B. Many practices estimate the patient's portion based on verified benefits and collect a deposit or the estimated amount at the visit per their financial policy, reconciling after the claim is processed.
Why not A: Waiting increases unpaid balances and surprises.
Why not C: The deductible is the patient's responsibility, not an insurance payment.
Why not D: Refusing care over a deductible is not the standard approach.
Exam tactic: Unmet deductible: estimate and collect per policy.
Answer: B. Although transfers for treatment may be permitted without authorization in some cases, practices commonly use a signed request or authorization that specifies the recipient, what to send, and the patient's signature, and they log the release.
Why not A: Verbal requests cannot be verified.
Why not C: A documented request protects the patient and practice.
Why not D: Employers have no role.
Exam tactic: Put the request in writing and log the release.
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