CMAC Exam Prep Free practice test →

Free CMAC Practice Questions

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

The CMAC exam has 175 questions and runs 2 hours 30 minutes.

Question 1

During a multi-tube venipuncture, a medical assistant draws the lavender-top (EDTA) tube before the light-blue (sodium citrate) coagulation tube. How is the patient's coagulation result MOST likely to be affected?

  1. The EDTA carryover falsely prolongs the clotting times
  2. The specimen will clot and must simply be redrawn the next day
  3. The result is unaffected because both tubes contain anticoagulant
  4. The citrate is neutralized, falsely shortening the clotting times
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - The EDTA carryover falsely prolongs the clotting times

Question 2

A provider orders a blood culture, a CBC, a coagulation panel, and a chemistry panel on the same patient. Which specimen must be collected FIRST?

  1. The lavender-top tube for the CBC
  2. The light-blue-top tube for the coagulation panel
  3. The blood culture bottles
  4. The gold-top (SST) tube for the chemistry panel
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - The blood culture bottles

Question 3

A rapid strep test performed in the medical office is classified as a CLIA-waived test. What does this classification PRIMARILY mean for the practice?

  1. Quality-control documentation is no longer required for the test
  2. It is low-risk and simple, but the practice still needs a CLIA certificate
  3. Anyone may perform it without provider oversight or any certificate
  4. The result no longer needs to be recorded in the patient's chart
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - It is low-risk and simple, but the practice still needs a CLIA certificate

Question 4

After assisting with a procedure on a patient in contact-and-droplet isolation, a medical assistant begins removing PPE. Which item is removed FIRST?

  1. The gloves
  2. The mask, by grasping the front
  3. The gown, by unfastening the neck ties
  4. The goggles, by lifting the front lens
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - The gloves

Question 5

A patient is diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which category of transmission-based precautions is required, and what is the key control measure?

  1. Droplet precautions, keeping a surgical mask on within three feet of the patient
  2. Contact precautions with gown and gloves
  3. Standard precautions with hand hygiene alone
  4. Airborne precautions with an N95 and negative-pressure room
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Airborne precautions with an N95 and negative-pressure room

Question 6

A patient returns 48 hours after a Mantoux tuberculin skin test was placed. When reading the result, the medical assistant should measure:

  1. The widest diameter of the erythema, or surrounding redness, in millimeters
  2. The diameter of the induration (firm raised area) in millimeters
  3. The combined width of the redness and the wheal in centimeters
  4. Whether any reaction is simply present or absent
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - The diameter of the induration (firm raised area) in millimeters

Question 7

A medical assistant is preparing to administer a tuberculin skin test. Which route and needle angle are correct for this injection?

  1. Subcutaneous, at a 45-degree angle
  2. Intramuscular, at a 90-degree angle
  3. Intradermal, at a 5- to 15-degree angle
  4. Intramuscular, at a 45-degree angle
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Intradermal, at a 5- to 15-degree angle

Question 8

An adult patient needs an intramuscular injection of 1 mL of vaccine in the deltoid. Which needle insertion angle is appropriate?

  1. 15 degrees
  2. 45 degrees
  3. 60 degrees
  4. 90 degrees
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - 90 degrees

Question 9

An order reads 'amoxicillin 500 mg PO.' The pharmacy stocks 250 mg capsules. Applying the rights of medication administration, how many capsules represent the correct dose?

  1. One capsule
  2. Two capsules
  3. Three capsules
  4. Four capsules
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Two capsules

Question 10

While recording a 12-lead ECG, the medical assistant sees a fuzzy, irregular tracing with rapid spikes across all leads. The patient is shivering and tense. What is the MOST appropriate first action?

  1. Warm the patient and have them relax to reduce muscle tremor
  2. Increase the paper speed from 25 to 50 mm/sec to smooth the tracing
  3. Detach and reattach the right-leg (ground) electrode
  4. Move the machine away from nearby electrical cords and outlets
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Warm the patient and have them relax to reduce muscle tremor

What's on the CMAC exam

The Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) exam is organized into 4 knowledge domains. These free practice questions are drawn from across them so you can see where you're strong and where to study:

  1. Professionalism 10% of exam
  2. Medical Law and Ethics 4% of exam
  3. Clinical Medical Assisting 60% of exam
  4. Administrative Medical Assisting 26% of exam

Ready for the real thing?

Practice hundreds more CMAC questions with instant scoring, weak-area drills, and full exam simulations.

Start the free practice test See pricing