CMAC study plan
CMAC · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Clinical Procedures and Patient Care & Medical Terminology
Map the full patient intake workflow (registration, vital signs, chief complaint, documentation) and label each step with the correct medical term
Define and correctly spell 60 common prefixes, suffixes, and root words; apply them to decode 25 unfamiliar clinical terms
Identify the standard ranges and correct technique for temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, height, and weight, then demonstrate the sequence aloud
Differentiate sterile vs. clean technique and list which routine office procedures require each
Build a one-page terminology cheat sheet organized by body system
Your checkpoint
A completed 25-question self-quiz on intake workflow and term decoding, scored and corrected to 90% or higher
Clinical Procedures and Patient Care & Anatomy and Physiology
Sequence the steps of 8 core clinical procedures (e.g., ECG, suture removal, urine collection, ear irrigation, eye instillation, specimen handling) from preparation through aftercare
Describe patient positioning, draping, and instrument handoff for a minor office procedure
Label the major organ systems and their primary functions on a blank diagram drawn from memory
Relate each body system to at least two procedures or measurements performed in the medical office
Explain how to adapt procedure technique for pediatric, geriatric, and mobility-impaired patients
Your checkpoint
A written procedure card set for 8 clinical procedures, each listing supplies, patient prep, steps, and post-procedure instructions
Anatomy and Physiology & Medical Terminology
Trace the pathway of blood through the heart and name the chambers, valves, and major vessels without notes
Outline the anatomy and function of the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and endocrine systems at a level sufficient to explain each to a patient
Convert between lay language and medical terminology for 40 common conditions and findings
Use correct directional, positional, and anatomical-plane terms in 20 written sentences
Match 30 abbreviations and symbols to their full medical terms and meanings
Your checkpoint
A two-page anatomy-and-terminology cross-reference sheet covering all major body systems, verified against a textbook with no uncorrected errors
Medical Office Administration and Records Management & Pharmacology and Medication Administration
Compare paper and electronic record systems and describe the legal requirements for each entry type (corrections, late entries, addendums)
Organize a simulated patient chart using correct filing order, sectioning, and retention rules
Identify the components of a prescription and the 'rights' of medication administration
Classify 25 common drugs by therapeutic category, generic name, and one key caution or side effect
Explain the difference between brand and generic names and the role of the formulary and pharmacy in refill handling
Your checkpoint
A completed chart-assembly exercise plus a 25-drug reference table, both self-graded to at least 90% accuracy
Pharmacology and Medication Administration & Infection Control and Safety
Calculate 15 dosage problems involving weight-based dosing, unit conversion, and pediatric calculations with zero errors
Describe the correct routes of administration and the technique and safety checks for each
List the six links in the chain of infection and one office-specific interruption for each
Sequence the steps of hand hygiene, donning and doffing PPE, and safe handling of a bloodborne pathogen exposure
Differentiate disinfection from sterilization and match each to the appropriate equipment category
Your checkpoint
A scored 20-item dosage-calculation and infection-control mixed quiz with a written correction note for every missed item
Diagnostic Testing and Laboratory Procedures & Infection Control and Safety
Explain the purpose, patient preparation, and normal reference range for 12 common laboratory and diagnostic tests
Outline proper specimen collection, labeling, storage, and chain-of-custody requirements for blood, urine, and swab specimens
Identify which tests require fasting, timed collection, or special handling and describe the patient instructions for each
Describe quality control basics: controls, calibration, and how to respond to an out-of-range result
Apply standard precautions and safe work practices to a specimen-handling scenario
Your checkpoint
A 12-test reference table (purpose, prep, specimen type, handling, normal range) plus a one-page patient instruction handout for fasting blood work
Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards & Medical Office Administration and Records Management
Distinguish the scope-of-practice boundaries of the medical assistant from those of the physician and nurse
Explain confidentiality, HIPAA privacy and security rules, and the permitted disclosures in 5 written scenarios
Describe the elements of informed consent and the office's role in obtaining and documenting it
Outline the handling of an ethical dilemma, a subpoena for records, and a request for release of information
Identify professional behaviors, boundaries, and communication standards expected in the clinical setting
Your checkpoint
A set of 5 written scenario responses applying legal and ethical rules, each citing the governing principle
Clinical Procedures and Patient Care & Pharmacology and Medication Administration & Medical Office Administration and Records Management & Diagnostic Testing and Laboratory Procedures & Medical Terminology & Anatomy and Physiology & Infection Control and Safety
Complete two full-length timed practice exams under test-day conditions and record every missed item by domain
Re-study the three weakest domains using the error log until each shows measurable improvement
Recite the key facts from each domain's cheat sheet from memory in a 20-minute self-recital
Simulate a full mock exam day, including timing, breaks, and review strategy
Build a final one-page 'high-yield facts' sheet for last-minute review
Your checkpoint
Two completed practice exam score reports with a written error log and an improvement summary from the first attempt to the second
Milestones
Week 2: Score 85% or higher on a 30-question quiz drawn from Domains 1, 2, and 3; any domain below 80% is flagged for weekly re-review
Week 4: Achieve 90% accuracy on the drug table and chart-assembly exercise, and correctly answer at least 12 of 15 mixed questions from Domains 5 and 6
Week 6: Complete the 20-item dosage and infection-control quiz with no more than one error, and explain all 12 diagnostic tests without notes
Week 8: Score 80% or higher overall on both full-length practice exams with no single domain below 75%