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Free NCMA Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Nationally Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free NCMA practice test to study every exam domain.

The NCMA exam has 150 questions and runs 3 hours.

These 10 free NCMA questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Nationally Certified Medical Assistant blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.

Domain 1: Pharmacology and General Medical Knowledge 14.4% of exam

Question 1

A medical assistant is preparing to give an intramuscular injection in an adult's deltoid. At what angle should the needle be inserted?

  1. 15 degrees
  2. 45 degrees
  3. 90 degrees
  4. 10 degrees
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - 90 degrees

Domain 2: Clinical Medical Procedures 57.6% of exam

Question 2

A medical assistant removes gloves and gown after caring for a patient with a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. Which hand hygiene method is MOST appropriate?

  1. Alcohol-based hand rub, because it is faster and less drying
  2. Wash with soap and water
  3. Alcohol-based hand rub followed by donning new gloves
  4. No hand hygiene is needed if gloves were worn
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Wash with soap and water

Question 3

During a multi-tube venipuncture, which tube is collected IMMEDIATELY AFTER the light blue (sodium citrate) coagulation tube?

  1. Red or gold (serum) tube
  2. Green (heparin) tube
  3. Lavender (EDTA) tube
  4. Gray (sodium fluoride) tube
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Red or gold (serum) tube

Question 4

A patient is placed in an airborne isolation room for suspected tuberculosis. Which PPE must the medical assistant wear before entering?

  1. A standard surgical mask
  2. A gown and gloves only
  3. A fit-tested N95 respirator
  4. A face shield with a surgical mask
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - A fit-tested N95 respirator

Question 5

A phlebotomist is instructed to draw blood, but the patient reports a left-sided mastectomy 8 months ago. There is a functioning IV in the right forearm. What should the phlebotomist do?

  1. Draw from the left arm using a smaller-gauge needle
  2. Draw from a vein below the IV site in the right arm
  3. Draw from the right arm above the IV site
  4. Draw from a hand or foot vein, or consult the provider
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Draw from a hand or foot vein, or consult the provider

Question 6

A medical assistant records an adult patient's resting respiratory rate. Which value falls within the normal range?

  1. 8 breaths per minute
  2. 16 breaths per minute
  3. 24 breaths per minute
  4. 30 breaths per minute
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 16 breaths per minute

Question 7

An ECG tracing shows a fuzzy, uniform, small-spiked baseline on all leads. The exam room contains several plugged-in electronic devices. This artifact is MOST likely caused by:

  1. Somatic (muscle) tremor
  2. A wandering baseline
  3. AC (60-cycle) electrical interference
  4. A loose electrode connection
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - AC (60-cycle) electrical interference

Domain 3: Medical Administrative Duties 12% of exam

Question 8

A provider documents that a patient has type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which code set is used to report this DIAGNOSIS on the insurance claim?

  1. CPT
  2. HCPCS Level II
  3. ICD-10-CM
  4. NDC
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - ICD-10-CM

Domain 4: Law and Ethics 16% of exam

Question 9

A patient rolls up their sleeve and extends their arm when the medical assistant approaches to draw blood. This is an example of:

  1. Informed consent
  2. Implied consent
  3. Expressed written consent
  4. Involuntary consent
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Implied consent

Question 10

A medical assistant writes the wrong date on a paper chart entry. What is the correct way to fix it?

  1. Draw a single line through it, then initial and date the correction
  2. Cover the error with correction fluid, then rewrite the entry
  3. Carefully erase the entry and write in the correct date
  4. Black out the entry completely so it can no longer be read
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Draw a single line through it, then initial and date the correction

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