RMA study plan

RMA · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Anatomy, Physiology, and Medical Terminology

Break down medical terminology into prefix, root, and suffix components and build a 150-term personal glossary covering all body systems
Label the major structures and functions of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and cardiovascular systems on self-drawn diagrams
Define directional, positional, and anatomical plane terms and apply them correctly in 30 practice sentences
Recite the four primary tissue types and match each to at least two organs where it predominates

A 150-term flashcard deck plus four labeled body-system diagrams scored at 90% or higher on a self-quiz

Week 2

Map the remaining body systems (respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, nervous, reproductive, lymphatic) and their chief disorders
Convert between metric and household measurements for weight, height, temperature, and liquid volume with 100% accuracy on 25 practice items
Outline the chain of infection and identify the point at which each standard precaution intervention interrupts it
Sequence the steps of the medical aseptic handwashing and the use of personal protective equipment

A one-page metric/household conversion cheat sheet and a passing score (85%+) on a 40-item A&P and terminology self-test

Week 3

Demonstrate and describe proper technique for measuring vital signs: oral, tympanic, axillary, and rectal temperature, radial and apical pulse, respiration, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and pain scale
Differentiate normal from abnormal vital sign ranges across pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients
Explain the preparation, positioning, and aftercare for a complete physical examination, including instrument setup and patient draping
Describe the correct collection and handling procedures for urine, stool, sputum, and throat swab specimens
Outline the steps and safety checks for administering a subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intradermal injection

A written procedure checklist for the 12 highest-frequency clinical skills, self-scored against a rubric at 90% or better

Week 4

Identify the instruments and supplies used in the specialties most often tested (OB/GYN, pediatrics, orthopedics, cardiology, dermatology, urology) and state each one's purpose
Perform dosage calculations for weight-based, unit-conversion, and IV flow-rate problems with 100% accuracy on 20 items
Describe first aid and emergency response steps for syncope, anaphylaxis, shock, hemorrhage, and choking
Outline the appointment scheduling matrix, including wave and modified-wave booking and handling of no-shows and overbooks

A 25-item dosage-calculation problem set completed at 100% accuracy plus a completed scheduling matrix exercise

Week 5

Sequence the full medical record cycle from patient registration through filing, retention, and destruction
Compare manual and electronic record systems and list the required elements of each
Categorize the components of an insurance claim: demographics, CPT and ICD-10 coding basics, copay, deductible, coinsurance, and EOB
Prepare a bank deposit, reconcile a petty cash fund, and post charges and payments to a patient ledger
Draft professional business correspondence including a referral letter, a collection letter, and a recall notice

A simulated patient ledger and day sheet balanced to zero, plus three drafted business letters reviewed against a formatting checklist

Week 6

Differentiate the scope-of-practice boundaries of the medical assistant, RN, LPN, and physician in common clinical scenarios
Explain the components of the medical record that create legal exposure and apply the rules for correcting an error in a chart entry
Identify the conditions that require reporting: communicable disease, abuse, gunshot wounds, and suspicious deaths
Summarize the bloodborne pathogen and OSHA standards, HIPAA privacy and security rules, and the CLIA waiver categories
Apply the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and confidentiality to case vignettes

A written response to five ethics and legal vignettes scored against an answer key at 80% or higher

Week 7

Practice releasing protected health information correctly across fax, portal, and verbal-request scenarios while applying the minimum-necessary standard
Calculate patient financial responsibility in five mixed insurance scenarios involving deductible, copay, and coinsurance
Demonstrate professional communication and conflict-resolution responses for a late patient, an angry caller, and a coworker disagreement
Review consent types - informed, implied, expressed, and minor consent - and identify which applies to given procedures

A scored role-play or written script set covering four front-desk and privacy scenarios

Week 8

Complete three full-length timed practice exams and log every missed item by domain and topic
Re-teach the five weakest topics per domain using a self-made one-page summary sheet
Rehearse the clinical skills checklists from memory under timed conditions
Build a final-week review sheet of high-yield facts, abbreviations, and values

Three completed practice exams with a score of 80% or higher on the final attempt and a weak-area remediation log

Week 2: Score 85% or higher on a 40-item A&P and medical terminology self-test and complete the terminology flashcard deck

Week 4: Score 100% on the dosage-calculation set and 90% on the clinical procedure checklist before adding administrative content

Week 6: Score 80% or higher on the ethics and legal vignettes and confirm the ledger exercise balances

Week 8: Achieve 80% or higher on the final full-length timed practice exam with no domain below 70%