NHA CCMA study plan

Map every Clinical Medical Assisting subarea (infection control, patient intake and vitals, assisting with exams, specimen collection and lab testing, pharmacology and medication administration, minor procedures, patient education) and rate personal confidence 1-5 on each

Memorize the chain of infection and the standard precautions that break each link, then state which PPE is required for each route

Practice the sequence for hand hygiene, donning and doffing gloves, gown, mask, and eyewear, and verbalize the order aloud without notes

Build a one-page reference of medical asepsis versus surgical asepsis with two concrete examples of each

Demonstrate and narrate the full vital-sign sequence: temperature routes, radial pulse, respirations, blood pressure with correct cuff sizing, and pulse oximetry

Define normal adult ranges and list two conditions that push each value above and below normal

Calculate BMI and convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius for five practice values

Explain how to position a patient and which vitals to recheck when a reading is abnormal

Sequence the medical assistant's role in a routine visit: greeting, registration data confirmation, chief complaint, history, medication reconciliation, and provider handoff

Identify the correct exam position and draping for abdominal, pelvic, lithotomy, Sims, prone, and dorsal recumbent exams

Describe proper technique for collecting urine, throat swab, sputum, and stool specimens, including labeling and handling requirements

Differentiate CLIA-waived testing from moderate-complexity testing and list common waived tests performed in ambulatory settings

Classify the six rights of medication administration and describe what to do when a right cannot be verified

Distinguish intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injection sites by needle gauge, angle, and maximum volume

Identify the parenteral sites (deltoid, ventrogluteal, vastus lateralis) and state the landmark for each

Explain documentation and reporting steps for a medication error, adverse reaction, or needlestick exposure

Map the Administrative Medical Assisting subareas (scheduling, records and HIPAA, billing and coding, insurance and reimbursement, office finance, communication, and legal/ethical issues) and rate confidence 1-5

Apply HIPAA privacy and security rules to five realistic scenarios involving release of information, minimum necessary, and breach notification

Sequence the revenue cycle from patient registration through claim submission, remittance, and collections

Differentiate copay, coinsurance, deductible, allowed amount, and explanation of benefits using a worked example

Distinguish ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS purposes and identify who assigns each code in a typical practice

Practice selecting an E/M code from a short written vignette using documented history, exam, and medical decision-making

Explain how to verify eligibility, obtain prior authorization, and handle a denied claim through appeal

Describe correct posting of payments, adjustments, and patient balances, and the purpose of an aging report

Integrate clinical and administrative tasks by scripting a complete patient encounter from scheduling call to follow-up booking

Rehearse telephone and in-person communication for an angry patient, a language barrier, and a hearing-impaired patient

Review legal and ethical topics: scope of practice, consent, advance directives, and mandatory reporting

Complete a timed 60-question mixed-domain practice set and log every missed item by subarea

Re-drill the two lowest-scoring subareas from the week 7 error log until each reaches 90 percent on a fresh set

Take two full-length timed practice exams under test-day conditions and compare scores

Memorize test-day logistics: appointment check-in, ID requirements, allotted time, and item-review rules for your testing provider

Build a final one-page rapid-review sheet covering normal ranges, injection angles, the six rights, and HIPAA basics