CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination cheat sheet

Prefixes: brady- = slow, tachy- = fast, hypo- = below normal, hyper- = above normal; suffixes: -itis = inflammation, -ectomy = surgical removal, -algia = pain.

Anatomical position: standing erect, face forward, arms at sides, palms forward; all directional terms (superior, distal, medial) assume this position.

Planes: sagittal divides right and left; frontal (coronal) divides anterior and posterior; transverse divides superior and inferior.

Abdominal quadrants: RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ; the umbilicus marks the center where the vertical and horizontal lines cross.

Normal adult resting values: respiratory rate 12-20/min, pulse 60-100 bpm, oral temperature 98.6 F (37 C), blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg.

Chain of infection: infectious agent -> reservoir -> portal of exit -> mode of transmission -> portal of entry -> susceptible host; breaking any link prevents spread.

Consent: expressed consent is spoken or written; implied consent is inferred from actions (e.g., extending an arm for an injection); emergency consent is assumed for life-threatening situations.

Conversions: 1 kg = 2.2 lb, 1 in = 2.54 cm, 1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 oz = 30 mL, 1 L = 1000 mL.

HIPAA: protects protected health information (PHI); disclosures require patient authorization except for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO).

New patient appointments typically 30-45 min; established patient 15-20 min; urgent/acute visits are scheduled same day with open slots reserved for emergencies.

SOAP note: Subjective (patient's complaint), Objective (exam findings), Assessment (diagnosis or impression), Plan (treatment and follow-up).

Insurance terms: premium = monthly cost; deductible = amount paid before coverage; copay = fixed fee at visit; coinsurance = percentage patient pays after deductible.

Claim forms: CMS-1500 for professional/outpatient services; UB-04 for institutional/facility services.

Coding: ICD-10-CM for diagnoses; CPT for procedures and services; HCPCS Level II for supplies, drugs, and durable medical equipment.

Terminal-digit filing: numbers are read right to left, using the last two or three digits as the primary filing unit.

Accounts receivable aging: 0-30, 31-60, 61-90, and 90+ days; balances over 90 days require collection follow-up.

Petty cash: fixed fund; every disbursement needs a receipt; reconcile by subtracting receipts from the starting balance.

Wave scheduling books several patients at the top of each hour; modified wave spreads them across the hour to reduce waiting.

Vital signs: BP normal <120/80 mm Hg; hypertension >=130/80; pulse 60-100 bpm; respirations 12-20/min; oral temp 98.6 F (37 C).

Injection angles: intradermal 10-15 degrees, subcutaneous 45-90 degrees, intramuscular 90 degrees; gauges: 26-27G intradermal, 25-27G subcutaneous, 20-23G intramuscular.

IM sites: ventrogluteal preferred for adults; deltoid for small volumes (1 mL or less); vastus lateralis preferred for infants.

Order of draw: blood cultures -> blue (citrate) -> red/gold (serum) -> green (heparin) -> lavender (EDTA) -> gray (oxalate).

EKG waves: P = atrial depolarization; QRS = ventricular depolarization; T = ventricular repolarization; standard paper speed 25 mm/s.

Urinalysis normal: pH 4.5-8.0; specific gravity 1.005-1.030; glucose, ketones, protein, and blood negative.

Medical asepsis = clean technique (handwashing, gloves); surgical asepsis = sterile technique (sterile field, sterile gloves); sterile field border is 1 inch.

CPR adult: compressions 100-120/min, depth at least 2 inches, ratio 30 compressions to 2 breaths.

Medication rights: right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation.