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AAMA · CMA · Cheat sheet

CMA (AAMA) Certified Medical Assistant Exam cheat sheet

A one-page summary of the CMA (AAMA) content outline (current through June 2027).

Intake and safety

  • Adult pulse 60–100, respirations 12–20, SpO2 95–100%
  • Small BP cuff reads high; first Korotkoff sound = systolic
  • Hand hygiene breaks the chain of infection; soap and water for C. diff; sharps at 3/4 full

Procedures and lab

  • Lithotomy for pelvic, Sims for rectal; palpation = touch, auscultation = listening
  • Order of draw starts with blood cultures; CBC in lavender EDTA
  • Autoclave ≈ 121°C/250°F at 15 psi; V1 = 4th ICS right sternal border

Pharmacology and law

  • Rights of medication administration; Z-track for irritating IM drugs
  • Dose = (ordered ÷ on hand) × volume; 1 g = 1,000 mg
  • Respondeat superior; subpoena duces tecum; negligence = duty, dereliction, direct cause, damages

Administrative

  • CPT procedures, ICD-10-CM diagnoses, HCPCS II supplies; modifiers alter services
  • Upcoding and unbundling are fraud; ABN before possibly non-covered Medicare services
  • Document no-shows; check photo ID to prevent identity theft

Test yourself on CMA

Reading a summary is the easy part. Take the free 10-question diagnostic to see which of these domains you actually have, then drill the rest.