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Free CPOA Practice Questions

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

Question 1

A patient cannot identify the largest optotype on the distance chart but can correctly count the examiner's fingers held at 2 feet. How should this visual acuity be recorded?

  1. CF at 2 feet
  2. HM at 2 feet
  3. 20/200, since this is the lowest measurable acuity
  4. LP at 2 feet
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - CF at 2 feet

Question 2

During a swinging-flashlight test, a patient's left pupil dilates as the light is swung from the right eye onto the left eye. This finding indicates:

  1. A relative afferent pupillary defect in the right eye
  2. Adie's tonic pupil affecting the left eye
  3. A relative afferent pupillary defect in the left eye
  4. Physiologic anisocoria, which is a normal variant
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - A relative afferent pupillary defect in the left eye

Question 3

Transpose the prescription +1.50 −2.00 × 090 into plus-cylinder form.

  1. −0.50 +2.00 × 180
  2. −0.50 +2.00 × 090
  3. −0.50 −2.00 × 180
  4. +3.50 +2.00 × 180
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - −0.50 +2.00 × 180

Question 4

A patient's uncorrected distance acuity is 20/60, which improves to 20/20 when viewed through a pinhole occluder. This MOST likely indicates that the reduced vision is caused by:

  1. A dense, vision-limiting cataract
  2. Macular disease affecting central vision
  3. Optic nerve disease such as optic neuritis
  4. An uncorrected refractive error such as myopia or astigmatism
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - An uncorrected refractive error such as myopia or astigmatism

Question 5

A patient with keratoconus has irregular astigmatism that cannot be adequately corrected with spectacles or soft lenses. Which contact lens option is MOST appropriate to create a smooth, regular refracting surface?

  1. A soft toric lens to correct the astigmatism
  2. A scleral gas-permeable lens that vaults over the irregular cornea
  3. A daily disposable soft spherical lens
  4. A silicone hydrogel lens approved for extended wear
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - A scleral gas-permeable lens that vaults over the irregular cornea

Question 6

Pachymetry reveals that a patient has an unusually thin central cornea. When interpreting this patient's Goldmann applanation tonometry, the measured intraocular pressure is likely to be:

  1. An overestimate of the true intraocular pressure
  2. An underestimate of the true intraocular pressure
  3. Unaffected, because corneal thickness does not influence applanation
  4. Invalid, requiring a completely different instrument
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - An underestimate of the true intraocular pressure

Question 7

A soft spherical contact lens is being selected to approximate the spectacle prescription −3.00 −1.00 × 180. What is the spherical equivalent power?

  1. −4.00 D
  2. −2.50 D
  3. −3.00 D
  4. −3.50 D
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - −3.50 D

Question 8

A young hyperopic child cannot relax their focusing during refraction, producing variable and unreliable results. Which type of drop would the optometrist MOST likely use to obtain an accurate measurement?

  1. A mydriatic that dilates the pupil without relaxing focus
  2. A topical anesthetic agent
  3. A cycloplegic agent
  4. A vital staining dye such as fluorescein
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - A cycloplegic agent

Question 9

A patient calls the office reporting that, within the past hour, they have developed a sudden shower of new floaters, flashing lights, and a dark 'curtain' moving across part of their vision. The MOST appropriate action is to:

  1. Schedule a routine appointment within the next two weeks
  2. Recommend an over-the-counter lubricating drop and rest
  3. Reassure the patient that occasional floaters are a normal, harmless part of aging
  4. Advise the patient to be seen immediately for possible retinal detachment
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Advise the patient to be seen immediately for possible retinal detachment

Question 10

A patient presents with bilateral, intensely itchy eyes that began in spring, accompanied by watery, stringy mucous discharge. These findings are MOST consistent with which type of conjunctivitis?

  1. Allergic conjunctivitis
  2. Bacterial conjunctivitis
  3. Viral conjunctivitis
  4. Chlamydial (inclusion) conjunctivitis
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Allergic conjunctivitis

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