Free NRCMA Practice Test Questions and Answers (2026) | Cert Empire Practice Questions

Sickle cell anemia is a congenital form of anemia that predominantly affects Black or African

American individuals. It is an inherited condition caused by a mutation in the HBB gene, which

encodes the beta-globin subunit of hemoglobin. This mutation results in the production of abnormal

hemoglobin known as hemoglobin S (HbS). Under low oxygen conditions, HbS causes red blood cells

to become rigid and sickle-shaped, leading to various complications including pain, infections, and

anemia. Approximately one in ten African Americans carry the gene for sickle cell trait, making it one

of the most common genetic disorders in this population.

For the first two months, the unborn child is referred to as an embryo. During this period, major

organs and structures begin to form. After the initial two months, the developing baby is referred to

as a fetus until birth. Reference: Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant study materials,

embryology and prenatal development

.

The act of giving birth is called parturition. Parturition involves the process of labor and delivery,

where the fetus and placenta are expelled from the uterus. It includes several stages: dilation of the

cervix, delivery of the baby, and delivery of the placenta.

Reference:

Williams Obstetrics by F. Gary Cunningham

Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies by Steven

G. Gabbe, Jennifer

R. Niebyl, and Joe Leigh

Simpson

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by insulin deficiency or resistance. There are two

main types of diabetes: Type 1, where the body does not produce insulin, and Type 2, where the

body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough. Insulin is a hormone produced by the

pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels. Without effective insulin function, blood sugar levels

can become dangerously high, leading to various health complications.

The pre-determined amount of money paid by the patient before the insurance company pays is

called the deductible. This is a common feature in health insurance plans, where the patient must

pay a specified amount out-of-pocket for healthcare services before the insurance coverage begins to

contribute to the costs.

Reference:

Understanding Health Insurance: A Guide to Billing and Reimbursement, 14th Edition, Michelle A.

Green

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Health Insurance Basics

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.

Reference:

Tendinopathy: From Basic Science to Clinical Management by Savio L-Y. Woo and Per

A. F. H.

Renström

Principles of Orthopedic Practice by Roger H. Michael

Carbohydrates are classified into three main groups based on their chemical structure and

complexity: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are the simplest

form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules like glucose and fructose. Disaccharides

are composed of two monosaccharide units linked together, such as sucrose and lactose.

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates consisting of long chains of monosaccharide units,

examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose. These classifications are essential for understanding

carbohydrate digestion and metabolism.

Reference:

Biochemistry by Berg, Tymoczko, and Stryer

Essentials of Human Nutrition by Jim Mann and Stewart Truswell

An unacceptable procedure for a fainting victim is to pour water over the victim’s face. This action

can cause further distress and does not address the underlying cause of fainting. Instead, appropriate

measures include loosening tight clothing, checking for injuries, and keeping the victim lying down

until they recover.

Reference:

American Heart Association. (n.d.). First Aid Guidelines.

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Fainting: First Aid.

IPPB (Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing) treatment is commonly used for patients with

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). IPPB is a form of respiratory therapy that provides

short-term mechanical ventilation to assist patients in breathing more deeply and improving lung

function. It helps to deliver medication, reduce the work of breathing, and expand collapsed alveoli.

Reference:

Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care by Robert

L. Wilkins, James

K. Stoller, and Craig

L. Scanlan

Respiratory Care: Principles and Practice by Dean Hess

The cerebellum is located at the back of the brain, beneath the occipital lobes and behind the

brainstem. It plays a crucial role in motor control, particularly in the coordination, precision, and

timing of movements. The cerebellum integrates input from the sensory systems, the spinal cord,

and other parts of the brain to fine-tune motor activity. It helps maintain balance and posture by

coordinating the muscles used for these functions. Damage to the cerebellum can result in loss of

coordination (ataxia), tremors, and difficulty with balance and gait.

If a physician fails to report all of his income or deductions correctly to the IRS and keeps poor

records, he can be charged with fraud. Fraud involves deliberately providing false information to

deceive or mislead for financial gain. In the context of tax reporting, this means intentionally failing

to report income or claiming deductions that are not legitimate, which can lead to significant legal

consequences including fines and imprisonment.

Reference:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS). (n.d.). Tax Fraud Alerts.

U.S. Department of Justice. (n.d.). Criminal Tax Fraud.

AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is a chronic, potentially life-threatening

condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging the immune system, HIV

interferes with the body's ability to fight infections and disease.

Reference:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). About HIV/AIDS.

World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). HIV/AIDS.

The most common positions for chest x-rays are PA (posteroanterior) and lateral. These positions

provide a comprehensive view of the chest, including the lungs, heart, and bones, and help in

diagnosing conditions such as pneumonia, heart failure, and fractures.

Workers' compensation insurance provides medical care and financial benefits for employees who

suffer job-related accidents or illnesses. This type of insurance is designed to cover medical

expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages resulting from work-related injuries or conditions,

ensuring that employees receive the necessary care and support during their recovery.

Reference:

Workers' Compensation Law by Lex K. Larson

National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) Guidelines

The term self refers to auto. This prefix is used in medical terminology to denote self or same, as

seen in words like autoimmune (where the immune system attacks the body's own cells) and autopsy

(self-examination of a body after death).

Reference:

Mosby's Medical Dictionary (10th ed.). (2017). Elsevier.

Stedman's Medical Dictionary (28th ed.). (2006). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by viral infections, alcohol abuse, certain

medications, and other factors. Hepatitis can lead to symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, abdominal

pain, and liver damage if left untreated. Reference: Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant

study materials, medical pathology

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When collecting specimens for a white blood count (WBC), you would use a tube that contains EDTA

(ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) as an anticoagulant. EDTA prevents blood from clotting by binding

calcium ions, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the blood sample for accurate WBC

analysis.

Physiology is the scientific study of the functions and mechanisms in a living system. It focuses on

how organs and systems within the body work, how they interact, and the physical and chemical

processes that occur within living organisms. The other options (study of physical signs, process of

life) are not accurate definitions of physiology. Reference: Nationally Registered Certified Medical

Assistant study materials and standard physiology textbooks.

The medical term for a nosebleed is epistaxis. It refers to bleeding from the nose, which can result

from a variety of causes including trauma, dry air, high blood pressure, or underlying medical

conditions.

Reference:

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Nosebleeds (Epistaxis).

Infantile eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, typically appears in the first year of life. It is

characterized by red, raised, pruritic (itchy), and scaling areas, commonly found on the cheeks, scalp,

and diaper area. It is not associated with an increase in sebaceous activity, and while it often

improves with age, it does not resolve permanently in all cases by the age of three.

Reference:

American Academy of Dermatology - Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Information

Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics