AAMA CMA practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q21This is the fourth step in the chain of infection.<br/><br/>What is it?
✓ Correct answer: C. Mode of transmission.
The chain of infection consists of six steps.<br/><br/>Step 1: Infectious agent<br/>Step 2: Reservoir host<br/>Step 3: Portal of exit<br/>Step 4: Mode of transmission<br/>Step 5: Portal of entry<br/>Step 6: Susceptible host.
Q22Of these, which represents 1024 bytes?
✓ Correct answer: C. Kilobyte.
Bit - Smallest piece of information that's processed by a computer. When there is an electrical charge, there is a binary value of 1. When there is no electrical charge, there is a binary value of 0.<br/><br/>Byte - 8-bit unit.<br/><br/>Kilobyte - Represents 1024 bytes.<br/><br/>Megabyte - Represents 1000 kilobytes.
Q23What governs whether or not an HIV diagnosis is included in medical records?
✓ Correct answer: D. State law.
Federal law does not determine whether or not HIV is included in medical records. Some states require HIV to be included and others do not. Patients must abide by state laws.
Q24Which of the following defines mode of transmission?
✓ Correct answer: B. A route of pathogenic transmission, from one host to another.
The mode of transmission is the route a pathogen requires for transmission from one host to another. There are five modes of transmission: Contact, Droplet, Airborne, Vehicle (pathogen is carried in contaminated substance such as earth, food, or water), Vector (pathogen is carried by insects and animals).
Q25Having your hands in your pockets when talking to a patient may be regarded as what?
✓ Correct answer: C. Dismissive body language
Any impression of being casual in front of a patient, such as having hands in pockets, may lead the patient to believe you don’t care about their case. Try to make a good impression as you would at an interview or other formal occasion.
Q26When someone listens for particular things and blocks out what they do not want to hear:
✓ Correct answer: C. Selective listening
Selective listening is when the listener blocks out the parts of the message that they do not want to hear.<br/><br/>This is not a good listening style as one needs to listen and respond to the entire message when treating patients. Just because you're hearing something, it doesn't mean you're listening to it. Hearing is just the act of receiving the sound waves. Listening means that you are listening to the entire message and that you are sensing, evaluating, and responding to what is heard.<br/><br/>This is called full listening. False listening is pretending to listen (like with a smile or a nod), but you are not hearing anything. A listening barrier is either a cultural, physical, or mental form of interference.
Q27In Erikson’s stages of human development, a young adult who “maladopts” in the intimacy vs isolation stage is in danger of what?
✓ Correct answer: C. Promiscuity
Erikson proposes varying stages of human development, each of which may become warped by maladoption. In young adults he proposes that there is a need for intimacy, for “losing oneself” in another, but that this search for intimacy, when unfulfilled, can lead to promiscuity.
Q28The final stage of human psychological development is often referred to as what?
✓ Correct answer: C. Self acceptance
Self acceptance is usually posited as coming after the age of 65, when a person has become happy with their place in life and no longer feels a need for self justification. Despite this often being the happiest stage of a person’s life, those who are self aware recognize and accept their approaching death.
Q29In the TNM staging system, what does the “N” stand for?
✓ Correct answer: D. Nodal involvement
The “N” in the TNM staging system represents nodal involvement. The “T” represents the severity of the primary or main tumor. “M” represents the presence or absence of distant metastases.
Q30When billing for ambulatory care, it would indicate which of the following?
✓ Correct answer: D. Outpatient services provided
If a facility is billing for ambulatory care, it is for outpatient services that were provided.<br/><br/>This is anytime a patient will not be admitted to the hospital. The assignment of benefits gives the insurer permission to pay the provider directly. The ambulatory patient classifications have the structure for the outpatient classifications.
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Theory