CCMA Patient Care Coordination and Education Practice Test

25 practice questions

Choose an answer, then check it under Show answer.

1. Question 1 of 25Hard

   A 72-year-old patient was discharged from the hospital yesterday after treatment for heart failure. Which coordination task should the medical assistant complete first, per office protocol?

   1. AA. Mail the patient a general heart health brochure
   2. BB. Add the patient to next year's flu shot reminder list
   3. CC. Book a prompt follow-up and get the discharge summary
   4. DD. Wait for the patient to call when she feels ready
   Show answer to question 1

   Answer: C. Book a prompt follow-up and get the discharge summary

   After a hospital stay, a timely follow-up visit and the hospital discharge summary help the provider review new medications and test results and prevent readmission. These are high-priority transition-of-care tasks.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • AA general brochure does not address the patient's immediate follow-up needs.
   • BVaccine reminders are useful but are not the priority right after discharge.
   • DWaiting for the patient to call can delay needed follow-up and increase readmission risk.

2. Question 2 of 25Hard

   A medical assistant reviewing patient portal messages finds one sent 10 minutes ago: 'I've had crushing chest pain for 20 minutes and I'm sweating.' What should the medical assistant do?

   1. AA. Reply that the provider will review the message tomorrow
   2. BB. Call now, advise 911 and alert the provider
   3. CC. Schedule the patient for the next available routine visit
   4. DD. Send an article about heart disease through the portal
   Show answer to question 2

   Answer: B. Call now, advise 911 and alert the provider

   Crushing chest pain with sweating may be a heart attack and needs emergency care. The medical assistant contacts the patient immediately, advises calling 911 according to protocol, notifies the provider and documents the actions.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • AWaiting until tomorrow could be fatal in a possible heart attack.
   • CA routine visit is far too late for emergency symptoms.
   • DEducational material does not address an emergency.

3. Question 3 of 25Medium

   A 79-year-old woman with low vision needs written instructions for a new medication schedule. Which adaptation is most helpful?

   1. AA. Small print so everything fits on a single page
   2. BB. Colored paper with light gray text for contrast
   3. CC. Large print with high contrast and good lighting
   4. DD. A long paragraph with all the detailed explanations
   Show answer to question 3

   Answer: C. Large print with high contrast and good lighting

   Older adults with low vision read more easily with large print, strong contrast, such as black text on white paper, and good lighting. Short, simple sections also help.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • ASmall print is harder to read for people with low vision.
   • BLight gray text on colored paper reduces contrast and makes reading harder.
   • DLong, dense paragraphs are hard to follow and should be broken into short sections.

4. Question 4 of 25Medium

   On a social needs screening form, a patient indicates that she often runs out of food before the end of the month. What should the medical assistant do, following office protocol?

   1. AA. Record the answer and wait for her to ask for help
   2. BB. Remove the answer, since food is not a medical issue
   3. CC. Tell her that the clinic cannot help with this problem
   4. DD. Share local food resources and alert the care team
   Show answer to question 4

   Answer: D. Share local food resources and alert the care team

   Food insecurity is a social determinant of health that affects conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Following protocol, the medical assistant connects the patient with resources such as food banks or a social worker and informs the care team.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • AWaiting for the patient to ask leaves an identified need unaddressed; the protocol calls for offering resources.
   • BSocial needs affect health outcomes and should be documented, not removed.
   • CClinics commonly connect patients with community resources, so this response is inaccurate and unhelpful.

5. Question 5 of 25Hard

   A patient with diabetes tells the medical assistant that she plans to fast from sunrise to sunset for a month for religious reasons. What should the medical assistant do?

   1. AA. Inform the provider so her treatment plan can be reviewed
   2. BB. Tell her that fasting is not allowed for people with diabetes
   3. CC. Advise her to stop her diabetes medicine during the month
   4. DD. Say nothing, since religious practices are not medical issues
   Show answer to question 5

   Answer: A. Inform the provider so her treatment plan can be reviewed

   Fasting can change blood glucose levels and may require medication or monitoring changes. Respecting her beliefs, the medical assistant informs the provider so the plan can be adjusted safely.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • BTelling her she cannot fast disregards her beliefs, and the decision belongs to the patient and provider.
   • CMedication changes require a provider's order and could be unsafe.
   • DReligious practices can affect care, so the provider needs this information.

6. Question 6 of 25Medium

   A patient with early memory loss comes to her visit with her adult son. She says she wants him to hear her new medication instructions. What should the medical assistant do?

   1. AA. Ask the son to leave, since the instructions are private
   2. BB. Include the son in the teaching and document her consent
   3. CC. Teach only the son, since the patient may forget
   4. DD. Wait for the provider to approve the son being present
   Show answer to question 6

   Answer: B. Include the son in the teaching and document her consent

   Patients may choose to involve family members in their care. With her agreement, including her son in the teaching helps reinforce instructions at home, and her permission is documented according to policy.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • AThe patient has agreed to share the information, so excluding her son is unnecessary.
   • CThe patient should still be taught directly and involved in her own care.
   • DThe patient decides who may hear her information; provider approval is not needed for her choice.

7. Question 7 of 25Easy

   A medical assistant is generating notifications for pediatric patients who are overdue for their recommended childhood immunizations. Which type of system is the assistant utilizing?

   1. AA. Preauthorization system
   2. BB. Reminder system
   3. CC. Referral system
   4. DD. Recall system
   Show answer to question 7

   Answer: D. Recall system

   A recall system notifies patients who are overdue for care, screenings, or immunizations to schedule an appointment. A reminder system targets patients who have an upcoming scheduled appointment or who are due for an anticipated service in the near future rather than those who are already overdue.

8. Question 8 of 25Hard

   A provider asks a medical assistant to teach a patient about wound care before he leaves the clinic. The patient is grimacing, holding his side and says his pain is severe. What should the medical assistant do first?

   1. AA. Teach quickly so the patient can leave sooner
   2. BB. Give the instructions to the patient's driver instead
   3. CC. Tell the provider about the pain before teaching
   4. DD. Hand him written instructions and skip the teaching
   Show answer to question 8

   Answer: C. Tell the provider about the pain before teaching

   Severe pain is a barrier to learning and may also signal a problem the provider needs to know about. The medical assistant reports the pain to the provider, and teaching continues once the patient is comfortable enough to focus.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • AA patient in severe pain is unlikely to absorb information, so rushed teaching is ineffective.
   • BTeaching someone else without the patient's agreement leaves him out and may violate his privacy.
   • DWritten instructions alone do not ensure understanding, and the pain still needs attention.

9. Question 9 of 25Medium

   A medical assistant has just reviewed the provider's instructions for a new inhaler with a 67-year-old patient. Which action best confirms that the patient understands?

   1. AA. Ask, 'Do you have any questions about the inhaler?'
   2. BB. Ask the patient to explain the steps in her own words
   3. CC. Give her a printed handout and ask her to read it later
   4. DD. Ask, 'Do you understand everything I told you?'
   Show answer to question 9

   Answer: B. Ask the patient to explain the steps in her own words

   The teach-back method asks patients to explain or demonstrate instructions in their own words. It shows what the patient actually understood and lets the medical assistant correct gaps right away.

   Why the other options are wrong

   • AMany patients say they have no questions even when they are confused, so this does not confirm understanding.
   • CA handout supports learning but does not show whether the patient understood.
   • DA yes-or-no question often gets a yes from patients who do not want to seem confused.

10. Question 10 of 25Medium

    A screening mammogram for a woman with no symptoms is an example of which level of prevention?

    1. AA. Primary prevention
    2. BB. Tertiary prevention
    3. CC. Rehabilitation
    4. DD. Secondary prevention
    Show answer to question 10

    Answer: D. Secondary prevention

    Secondary prevention aims to detect disease early, before symptoms appear, through screening tests such as mammograms. Early detection allows earlier treatment.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • APrimary prevention stops disease from developing, such as through immunizations.
    • BTertiary prevention reduces complications of existing disease, such as cardiac rehabilitation.
    • CRehabilitation is a form of tertiary care, not early detection.

11. Question 11 of 25Medium

    A patient who smokes says he is ready to quit and wants support between visits. After the provider advises him, which resource can the medical assistant provide?

    1. AA. Information about the free state tobacco quitline
    2. BB. A list of local stores that sell nicotine products
    3. CC. Advice to cut down gradually over the next five years
    4. DD. A suggestion to switch to smokeless tobacco instead
    Show answer to question 11

    Answer: A. Information about the free state tobacco quitline

    State tobacco quitlines offer free, evidence-based counseling by phone or online, and some provide cessation medications. Connecting a ready patient with a quitline supports the provider's advice.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • BA list of stores selling nicotine products does not support quitting.
    • CA long, vague timeline is not an evidence-based quit plan and is not the medical assistant's advice to give.
    • DSmokeless tobacco is still harmful and is not a recommended way to quit.

12. Question 12 of 25Medium

    A primary care clinic generates a registry report of pediatric patients who are overdue for routine vaccinations. Which action should the medical assistant take to address this care gap?

    1. AA. Contact the parents or guardians to schedule immunization appointments
    2. BB. Document vaccine refusal in the charts without attempting patient contact
    3. CC. File an insurance appeal requesting coverage for delayed vaccines
    4. DD. Transfer the noncompliant records to a specialty pediatric center
    Show answer to question 12

    Answer: A. Contact the parents or guardians to schedule immunization appointments

    Registry outreach allows medical assistants to contact patients or guardians to notify them of overdue clinical services and schedule timely appointments to close care gaps. Documenting vaccine refusal without outreach improperly falsifies clinical intent and fails to promote preventive care. Insurance appeals and patient transfers are unnecessary administrative actions for routine care coordination.

13. Question 13 of 25Hard

    The provider asks a medical assistant to contact a patient about an abnormal result and schedule a follow-up visit. After several phone calls on different days, the patient has not responded. What is the best next step, per office policy?

    1. AA. Close the task, since the office made several attempts
    2. BB. Document the attempts and send a letter to the patient
    3. CC. Leave the detailed result on the patient's work voicemail
    4. DD. Ask the patient's neighbor to pass along the message
    Show answer to question 13

    Answer: B. Document the attempts and send a letter to the patient

    When phone attempts fail, offices commonly send a letter, sometimes by certified mail, and document every attempt. This shows reasonable effort and gives the patient another chance to respond, and the provider is kept informed.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AStopping without further outreach can leave an abnormal result unaddressed.
    • CDetailed results should not be left on voicemail, especially at a workplace.
    • DSharing health information with a neighbor violates the patient's privacy.

14. Question 14 of 25Hard

    A patient with prediabetes says, 'I know I should exercise, but I just don't have time.' Which response from the medical assistant best reflects motivational interviewing?

    1. AA. You really need to make time, or you will get diabetes.
    2. BB. Everyone has time if they truly want to be healthy.
    3. CC. It sounds like time is tight. What small change might work?
    4. DD. Don't worry, a pill can control your blood sugar later.
    Show answer to question 14

    Answer: C. It sounds like time is tight. What small change might work?

    Motivational interviewing uses empathy, reflective listening and open-ended questions to help patients find their own reasons and ways to change. Reflecting the barrier and asking about small changes respects the patient's autonomy.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AWarnings and pressure often increase resistance rather than motivation.
    • BThis statement is judgmental and dismisses the patient's concern.
    • DFalse reassurance discourages healthy change and gives inaccurate information.

15. Question 15 of 25Medium

    When sending a referral to a specialist, which information should the medical assistant include?

    1. AA. The patient's entire medical record from birth to present
    2. BB. Reason for referral, relevant history and recent results
    3. CC. Only the patient's name and phone number
    4. DD. The patient's billing history and past balances
    Show answer to question 15

    Answer: B. Reason for referral, relevant history and recent results

    A useful referral includes the reason for referral or the question for the specialist, pertinent history, medications and relevant test results, plus demographic and insurance information. This gives the specialist what is needed without burying key details.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • ASending the entire record is usually unnecessary and makes key information harder to find.
    • CContact information alone does not tell the specialist why the patient is being referred.
    • DBilling history is not needed for the specialist's clinical evaluation.

16. Question 16 of 25Medium

    A patient with diabetes who checks her blood glucose at home asks how she can help the provider adjust her care. What should the medical assistant encourage her to do, per the provider's plan?

    1. AA. Keep a log of readings and bring it to each visit
    2. BB. Check only when she feels well to avoid worrying
    3. CC. Stop checking once her readings look normal
    4. DD. Write down only the highest reading each week
    Show answer to question 16

    Answer: A. Keep a log of readings and bring it to each visit

    A log of home glucose readings, with times and related events such as meals, shows patterns the provider uses to adjust treatment. Bringing the log or meter to each visit supports self-management.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • BChecking only when she feels well misses the readings that matter most.
    • CStopping monitoring without the provider's direction can miss changes in control.
    • DRecording only one reading hides patterns the provider needs to see.

17. Question 17 of 25Medium

    A patient with Medicaid says she has missed several appointments because she has no way to get to the clinic. Which resource should the medical assistant help her explore?

    1. AA. Asking her to rely on neighbors for each ride
    2. BB. Rescheduling all visits to evenings only
    3. CC. Canceling future visits until she buys a car
    4. DD. Her plan's non-emergency transportation benefit
    Show answer to question 17

    Answer: D. Her plan's non-emergency transportation benefit

    Medicaid programs provide non-emergency medical transportation to covered appointments for eligible members. Helping the patient learn how to schedule rides removes a common barrier to care.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • ADepending on neighbors is unreliable and does not use the benefit her plan provides.
    • BChanging appointment times does not solve the lack of transportation.
    • CCanceling care until she buys a car could harm her health.

18. Question 18 of 25Easy

    What is the usual difference between a consultation and a referral?

    1. AA. A consultation transfers care; a referral asks for an opinion
    2. BB. There is no difference between the two terms
    3. CC. A consultation asks for an opinion; a referral transfers care
    4. DD. Only a referral requires a provider to see the patient
    Show answer to question 18

    Answer: C. A consultation asks for an opinion; a referral transfers care

    In a consultation, the provider asks a specialist for an opinion or advice, and care usually returns to the requesting provider. In a referral, all or part of the patient's care for a condition is transferred to the specialist.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AThis reverses the two terms.
    • BThe terms describe different arrangements for the patient's care.
    • DBoth consultations and referrals usually involve the specialist seeing the patient.

19. Question 19 of 25Easy

    Which statement best describes palliative care?

    1. AA. Comfort care that can go along with curative care
    2. BB. Care given only during the last few days of life
    3. CC. Care that requires the patient to stop all treatment
    4. DD. Care that is limited to patients with cancer
    Show answer to question 19

    Answer: A. Comfort care that can go along with curative care

    Palliative care relieves symptoms and stress from serious illness and can be provided at any stage, alongside treatment meant to cure or control the disease. Hospice is a type of palliative care for patients who are no longer pursuing curative treatment.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • BPalliative care can begin at diagnosis and is not limited to the final days of life.
    • CPatients receiving palliative care can continue curative treatment.
    • DPalliative care helps patients with many serious illnesses, not only cancer.

20. Question 20 of 25Hard

    A provider tells the medical assistant that a patient needs to see an ophthalmologist today for a sudden loss of vision in one eye. What should the medical assistant do?

    1. AA. Phone the specialist's office now to get a same-day visit
    2. BB. Fax a routine referral and ask the patient to wait for a call
    3. CC. Give the patient the specialist's number to call next week
    4. DD. Schedule the referral for the specialist's next routine opening
    Show answer to question 20

    Answer: A. Phone the specialist's office now to get a same-day visit

    An urgent referral requires direct, immediate communication. The medical assistant calls the specialist's office, confirms a same-day appointment, sends the needed information and documents the arrangement before the patient leaves.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • BA routine fax may not be seen in time for an urgent problem.
    • CWaiting until next week could result in permanent vision loss.
    • DA routine opening is not appropriate when the provider requested a same-day visit.

21. Question 21 of 25Easy

    A child's asthma action plan uses green, yellow and red zones. What does the red zone mean?

    1. AA. Breathing is good, and daily medicines should continue
    2. BB. Symptoms are mild, so the child can skip medicines
    3. CC. Medical alert: follow emergency steps and get help now
    4. DD. The peak flow meter needs to be cleaned
    Show answer to question 21

    Answer: C. Medical alert: follow emergency steps and get help now

    In an asthma action plan, the red zone means a medical alert: symptoms are severe or the peak flow is very low. The plan lists emergency steps, such as using quick-relief medicine and seeking emergency care.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AThe green zone means breathing is good and daily controller medicines continue.
    • BNo zone tells families to skip prescribed medicines.
    • DThe zones describe the child's breathing, not equipment cleaning.

22. Question 22 of 25Medium

    A clinic uses an electronic chronic disease registry to manage care for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which activity demonstrates appropriate case management support by the medical assistant?

    1. AA. Adjusting patient glycemic targets in the registry based on personal patient requests
    2. BB. Generating a list of patients overdue for annual diabetic foot exams to schedule appointments
    3. CC. Ordering diagnostic hemoglobin A1c laboratory tests without an existing provider protocol
    4. DD. Prescribing therapeutic diabetic footwear based on registry risk-stratification data
    Show answer to question 22

    Answer: B. Generating a list of patients overdue for annual diabetic foot exams to schedule appointments

    Medical assistants support population health and case management by using registries to identify gaps in care, such as overdue annual foot exams, dilated eye exams, or laboratory monitoring, and reaching out to patients to schedule visits. Ordering unprompted diagnostic labs, modifying provider-established clinical targets, and prescribing medical equipment are provider-level responsibilities outside the assistant's scope.

23. Question 23 of 25Easy

    According to national physical activity guidelines for adults, how much moderate-intensity aerobic activity is recommended each week?

    1. AA. At least 30 minutes
    2. BB. At least 60 minutes
    3. CC. At least 90 minutes
    4. DD. At least 150 minutes
    Show answer to question 23

    Answer: D. At least 150 minutes

    The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week for adults, plus muscle-strengthening activity on two or more days. The medical assistant reinforces the goals the provider sets for each patient.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AThirty minutes per week is far below the recommendation.
    • BSixty minutes per week does not meet the guideline.
    • CNinety minutes per week is still below the recommended minimum.

24. Question 24 of 25Easy

    Which description best fits the patient-centered medical home model?

    1. AA. A home health agency that provides nursing visits
    2. BB. A hospital unit for patients who need long stays
    3. CC. An insurance plan that limits specialist visits
    4. DD. Coordinated, team-based primary care
    Show answer to question 24

    Answer: D. Coordinated, team-based primary care

    A patient-centered medical home is a primary care model in which a provider-led team coordinates all of a patient's care, with an emphasis on access, communication and continuity.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AHome health agencies provide care in patients' homes and are a different service.
    • BA medical home is not a hospital unit.
    • CA medical home is a care delivery model, not an insurance plan.

25. Question 25 of 25Easy

    Which resource lets a medical office see vaccines a patient received at other clinics and pharmacies?

    1. AA. Appointment matrix
    2. BB. State immunization registry
    3. CC. Practice fee schedule
    4. DD. Supply inventory log
    Show answer to question 25

    Answer: B. State immunization registry

    State immunization information systems, or registries, collect vaccination records from many providers and pharmacies. Checking the registry helps the team avoid missed or duplicate doses.

    Why the other options are wrong

    • AAn appointment matrix shows when providers are available for scheduling.
    • CA fee schedule lists charges for services.
    • DA supply inventory log tracks office supplies, not patient vaccines.

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