Key details for this exam, checked against the published exam outline
Each question shows the correct answer and an explanation of why it is right
Drugs used to prevent the clotting of blood are:
Anticoagulants are medications that prevent blood from clotting. They are commonly prescribed for conditions like atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism to prevent the formation of harmful clots. Examples of anticoagulants include warfarin, heparin, and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).
Analgesics: Used to relieve pain.
Tranquilizers: Used to reduce anxiety or induce sleep.
'Anticoagulants.' MedlinePlus, https://medlineplus.gov/anticoagulants.html
A prefix is the of a word.
A prefix is a group of letters placed at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. Prefixes can change the word into a different form of the original word, often changing the meaning significantly. For example, the prefix 'un-' added to 'happy' forms 'unhappy,' meaning not happy.
The most common bacteriology stain is:
The most common bacteriology stain is the Gram stain. The Gram stain differentiates bacterial species into Gram-positive and Gram-negative groups based on the composition of their cell walls. This staining technique is crucial in microbiology for identifying and classifying bacteria, guiding antibiotic treatment decisions.
Bailey & Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology by Patricia Tille
Medical Microbiology by Patrick R. Murray
An injection given at a 45 degree angle is an:
An inflamed condition of the tendon and tendon muscles is referred to as tendonitis. Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, often caused by overuse or repetitive movements. It commonly affects the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels.
Tendinopathy: From Basic Science to Clinical Management by Savio L-Y. Woo and Per A. F. H. Renstrm
Principles of Orthopedic Practice by Roger H. Michael
One complete heart beat, combining the contraction and relaxation phases is known as the:
One complete heart beat, combining the contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) phases, is known as the cardiac cycle. The cardiac cycle consists of two main phases: systole, where the heart muscle contracts to pump blood out of the chambers, and diastole, where the heart muscle relaxes to allow the chambers to fill with blood. This sequence ensures that oxygenated blood is circulated throughout the body and deoxygenated blood is sent to the lungs for oxygenation.
High blood pressure is referred to as
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It is a condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is consistently too high, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. The other terms refer to different conditions:
Hyperemia: Increased blood flow to a particular area of the body.
Hypertrophy: Enlargement of an organ or tissue from the increase in the size of its cells.
Hyperthermia: Abnormally high body temperature.
'Hypertension.' American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure
Hemostats are a type of:
Hemostats are a type of forceps. They are surgical instruments used to control bleeding during surgery by clamping blood vessels. Hemostats can be locked in place to maintain constant pressure on a bleeding site, allowing the surgeon to work on other areas.
Surgical Instruments: A Pocket Guide by Maryann Papanier Wells
Textbook of Surgery by David C. Sabiston
Exam domains verified against: Official NAHP NRCMA exam guide, last checked October 2026.
Focus on medical terms, anatomical structures, disease development, and pharmacological concepts relevant to medical assistant roles.
Sample question from this domain above: Q1
Covers assisting with patient examination, measuring vital signs, obtaining specimens, delivering medications and injections, applying dressings, aiding with minor procedures, and recognizing emergency scenarios.
Sample question from this domain above: Q4
Focuses on identifying, defining, and correctly spelling terminology relating to healthcare, patient care, and keyword parts.
Covers specimen collection and processing, urinalysis, hematology and blood chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and laboratory safety practices.
Examines frequent disease processes, signs and symptoms, conventional treatment approaches, pharmacology, and disease prevention through screening and lifestyle modifications.
Sample question from this domain above: Q7
Focuses on identifying, defining, and correctly spelling terminology relating to healthcare, patient care, and keyword parts.
Covers identifying and defining terms relating to medical law, procedures for releasing private health information, and HIPAA regulations.
Sample question from this domain above: Q2
Covers identifying and defining drug classes, various drug forms, recognizing adverse reactions, and calculating drug doses for specific patient requirements.
Sample question from this domain above: Q3
Demonstrates knowledge of governmental and private health insurance plans including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Workers Compensation, Medicare/Medicaid, and TRICARE.
Common questions about the exam itself
