Your FREE CCMA Flashcards 2026 – 300+ Cards

Word root (core meaning) + optional prefix + suffix, joined by a combining vowel.

A vowel (usually 'o') that joins word parts; kept before a consonant suffix, dropped before a vowel.

Heart (e.g., cardiology).

Liver (e.g., hepatitis).

Kidney.

Slow (e.g., bradycardia).

Fast (e.g., tachycardia).

Hyper- = excessive/above; hypo- = deficient/below.

Inflammation (e.g., arthritis).

Surgical removal (e.g., appendectomy).

Cutting into / incision.

Blood condition (e.g., anemia).

The study of (e.g., cardiology).

As needed (pro re nata).

Immediately / at once.

Nothing by mouth (nil per os).

By mouth.

Twice a day.

Three times a day.

Four times a day.

Every 4 hours.

Generic = the official nonproprietary name; brand = the manufacturer's trademarked name.

1 g = 1000 mg = 1,000,000 mcg.

A drug that relieves pain.

A drug that treats bacterial infection.

A drug that reduces fever.

A drug that lowers blood pressure.

Stomach.

Skin.

Bone.

Joint.

Nerve.

Without / absence of.

Difficult or painful.

Many.

Enlargement.

Disease.

Surgical repair.

Visual examination with a scope.

Urine condition.

Prescription / treatment.

History.

Diagnosis.

Treatment.

Complains of.

Within normal limits.

Cocci (round), bacilli (rod), and spirilla (spiral).

Aerobic need oxygen; anaerobic grow without it.

Standing erect, facing forward, arms at the sides, palms forward.

A vertical plane dividing the body into right and left.

A vertical plane dividing the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior).

A horizontal plane dividing the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior).

Superior = toward the head; inferior = toward the feet.

Anterior (ventral) = toward the front; posterior (dorsal) = toward the back.

Medial = toward the midline; lateral = away from the midline.

Proximal = toward the trunk/origin; distal = away from it.

Pumps and circulates blood (heart and blood vessels).

Gas exchange — oxygen in, carbon dioxide out (lungs).

Breaks down and absorbs nutrients (GI tract).

Rapid control and signaling (brain, spinal cord, nerves).

Movement, support, and protection (bones and muscles).

The skin, hair, and nails — a protective barrier.

Slower, hormone-based control of body functions.

Filters blood and removes waste as urine (kidneys).

The skin.

Four — two atria and two ventricles.

Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

The body's maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Levels of organization from smallest (cell) to largest (organ system).

Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous.

Carry oxygen (via hemoglobin) to body tissues.

Defend the body against infection.

Help blood clot.

Voluntary muscle that moves bones.

Involuntary muscle of the heart.

Involuntary muscle of organs and vessels.

In the alveoli of the lungs.

RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ — used to locate abdominal findings.

Filter waste and excess fluid from the blood to form urine.

Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation.

60–100 beats per minute at rest.

12–20 breaths per minute at rest.

About 98.6 °F (range 97.8–99.1 °F).

Less than 120/80 mmHg.

95–100%.

Systolic = pressure when the heart contracts (top number); diastolic = pressure when it relaxes (bottom number).

The radial artery at the thumb side of the wrist.

The radial artery (wrist).

Over the apex of the heart, about the 5th intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.

Temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure — often with pulse oximetry and pain.

Tachycardia = pulse over 100/min; bradycardia = pulse under 60/min.

Systolic 130–139 or diastolic 80–89 mmHg.

The tapping sounds heard with a stethoscope while measuring blood pressure; the first is systolic, the last is diastolic.

Blood pressure and pulse measured lying, sitting, and standing to detect a drop on position change.

To make sure care, specimens, and records are matched to the correct patient — never use the room number.

Full name and date of birth (verified against the order and wristband).

Body mass index — weight relative to height, used to screen for under/overweight.

Wait ~15 minutes after the patient eats, drinks, or smokes to avoid a false reading.

Children have faster pulse and respiratory rates that decrease with age.

10–15 degrees, into the dermis (e.g., TB skin test).

45 degrees, into the fatty tissue beneath the skin.

90 degrees, into the muscle.

Deltoid and ventrogluteal; vastus lateralis for infants.

Upper outer arm, abdomen, and anterior thigh.

Intradermal — a shallow injection that raises a wheal.

Three times: when retrieving, when preparing, and before giving it.

Drug, dose, route, site, time, and the patient's response.

No — MAs administer only as ordered and within state scope; they never prescribe.

(Desired dose ÷ dose on hand) × quantity on hand.

Semi-sitting (head of table raised ~45–60°) — for breathing or head/neck exams.

Lying flat on the back — for abdominal exams.

On the back with feet in stirrups — for pelvic and gynecologic exams.

Lying on the left side with the right knee flexed — for rectal exams and enemas.

Lying face down — for back and spine exams.

Head lower than the feet — sometimes used for low blood pressure or shock.

To provide privacy, warmth, and comfort and expose only the area being examined.

Promote healing and prevent infection by keeping the wound clean and protected.

Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.

Verify the order, identify the patient with two identifiers, and explain the procedure.

Hand hygiene before and after every patient contact.

Treat every patient's blood and body fluids as potentially infectious for all patients.

Clean technique that reduces the number and spread of microorganisms.

Sterile technique that eliminates all microorganisms (sterile field).

Agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Mode of transmission — interrupted by hand hygiene and standard precautions.

Contact, droplet, and airborne precautions added for specific organisms.

Drop point-first, never recapped by hand, into a puncture-proof sharps container.

29 CFR 1910.1030 — protects workers from blood-borne disease exposure.

A 1-inch border around a sterile field is considered non-sterile.

If anything below the waist or out of sight touches it, or if it gets wet.

Gown, mask/respirator, goggles/face shield, then gloves.

Gloves, goggles/face shield, gown, then mask/respirator.

A device that sterilizes instruments with pressurized steam (commonly 121 °C).

Sanitization lowers microbe counts; disinfection kills most pathogens; sterilization destroys all microorganisms.

Place in a labeled red biohazard bag or sharps container per facility policy.

Diagnostic testing done at or near the patient, such as glucose or rapid strep.

A simple, low-risk lab test that a medical assistant is permitted to perform.

Glucose, protein, blood, pH, ketones, leukocytes, and specific gravity.

Label the specimen with patient identifiers at the bedside and transport it promptly per protocol.

Running controls to confirm a test/instrument is working before reporting patient results.

Average blood glucose over about the past 3 months.

Usually no food or drink (except water) for 8–12 hours.

A throat swab to detect group A Streptococcus.

Blood culture, light blue, red/gold, green, lavender, gray.

Sodium citrate — coagulation studies (PT/INR, PTT).

Clot activator/gel — serum chemistry and serology.

Heparin — plasma chemistry and STAT electrolytes.

EDTA — complete blood count (CBC) and hematology.

Sodium fluoride — glucose and lactate.

The median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa (bend of the elbow).

To prevent additive carryover from one tube contaminating the next and skewing results.

Falsely raises potassium and falsely lowers calcium.

No more than 1 minute, to avoid hemoconcentration.

Clean with alcohol in a circular motion from the center outward, then let it air dry.

Rupture of red blood cells (from rough handling or a small needle) that can ruin a specimen.

Blood leaking into tissue, causing swelling/bruising — stop and apply pressure.

The side of a fingertip (the middle or ring finger).

The lateral (side) of the heel.

10 electrodes — 4 limb + 6 precordial (chest).

Electrodes are the sensors on the skin; leads are the 12 calculated views.

4th intercostal space, right sternal border.

5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line.

Atrial depolarization (the atria contracting).

Ventricular depolarization (the ventricles contracting).

Ventricular repolarization (the ventricles recovering).

25 mm/s — 1 small box = 0.04 s and 1 large box = 0.20 s.

A slow up-and-down drift from movement, breathing, or loose electrodes.

Uniform thick fuzz from nearby electrical equipment or crossed lead wires.

Regular, 60–100/min, with an upright P wave before every QRS.

A fever — an elevated body temperature.

Without fever (normal temperature).

The cuff-and-gauge device used to measure blood pressure.

A cuff bladder that encircles ~80% of the arm; too small reads high, too large reads low.

The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

The difference between the apical and radial pulse rates.

Absence of breathing.

Difficult or labored breathing.

Low oxygen level in the blood.

In the neck, beside the trachea — used to check the pulse in an emergency.

Listening to body sounds (heart, lungs, bowel) with a stethoscope.

Examining the body by touch (e.g., feeling a pulse).

About 30–60 breaths per minute.

The ear (tympanic membrane).

The forehead (temporal artery).

An instrument that measures a joint's range of motion (angle).

A test of lung function measuring the volume and speed of exhaled air.

A wall chart used to test distance (visual acuity) vision at 20 feet.

A test for color-vision deficiency using colored dot plates.

A hearing test that measures the softest sounds a patient can hear.

Using correct posture and movement (bend at the knees, keep loads close) to prevent injury.

Walking; assisting a patient to walk safely.

A safety belt used to support and steady a patient when transferring or walking.

Done on provider order using sterile technique; count to confirm all are removed.

None — tourniquets are for venipuncture, not for giving most injections.

An IM injection method that prevents medication leaking back into the skin.

Reduces swelling and pain by constricting blood vessels.

Increases circulation and relaxes muscles by dilating blood vessels.

A mobile cart of emergency equipment and medications.

Automated external defibrillator — analyzes the rhythm and can deliver a shock.

An infection acquired in a health-care setting.

A disease-causing microorganism — bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite.

Where the pathogen lives and multiplies.

Spread of a pathogen by an insect or animal (e.g., a mosquito).

Droplet = large drops, short range (mask); airborne = tiny particles that linger (N95, negative-pressure room).

Acceptable unless hands are visibly soiled, when soap and water are required.

Safety Data Sheet — chemical hazard and handling information required by OSHA.

Cleansing the hands and forearms before sterile procedures.

A device that spins blood to separate cells from plasma or serum.

Serum is plasma without clotting factors (from a clotted tube); plasma is from an anticoagulated tube.

The expected normal range of values for a lab test.

Detects hidden blood in stool (e.g., FOBT/FIT) to screen for GI bleeding.

A device that measures blood glucose from a fingerstick sample.

The inner bend of the elbow — the primary venipuncture area.

For small, fragile, or hand veins.

Its diameter — the higher the number, the smaller the bore.

To mix the additive with the blood and prevent clotting (gently, not shaking).

A sample collected after the patient has not eaten for a set period.

Fainting — stop, lower the patient's head, and ensure safety.

Tiny red spots that may appear from a tourniquet that is too tight or left too long.

Hematoma (bruising) from blood leaking into the tissue.

0.12–0.20 seconds.

Less than 0.12 seconds.

White ('white on the right').

Red ('fire' on the left leg).

A portable EKG worn 24–48 hours to catch intermittent arrhythmias.

Irregularly irregular rhythm with no true P waves.

Asking the patient to restate instructions in their own words to confirm understanding.

Reinforce the provider's instructions in plain language and confirm understanding — not give new advice.

A patient's ability to understand and use health information.

Connecting a patient to another provider or specialist for further care.

Organizing a patient's care across providers — referrals, labs, records, and follow-up.

Confirming the referral happened and the result came back.

Approval an insurer requires before certain services are provided.

A person who helps a patient overcome barriers to accessing care.

Use a qualified interpreter and translated materials.

Record what was taught, the materials given, and that understanding was confirmed.

Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan — a structured documentation format.

Written and verbal directions a patient follows after the visit.

Coordinated, consistent care over time and across providers.

Connecting a patient to services like transportation, food, or support groups.

Speak clearly, allow more time, and use larger print and simple steps.

The diagnosis — why care was given (the patient's condition).

The procedures and services performed (what was done).

Supplies, equipment, and services not included in CPT.

The CPT procedure code must be supported by an ICD-10 diagnosis code.

Electronic health record — the digital patient chart.

Draw a single line through it, initial and date; never erase or delete the original.

Several patients booked at the top of the hour and seen in the order they arrive.

Patients booked at staggered intervals within the hour.

Grouping similar appointment types together.

Blocking out times the provider is unavailable so they aren't booked.

Two patients in one slot — used sparingly for urgent add-ons.

A fixed amount the patient pays for a covered service at the time of the visit.

The amount a patient pays out of pocket before insurance begins to pay.

A statement from the insurer explaining what was paid and what the patient owes.

Money owed to the practice for services already provided.

The standard paper claim form for outpatient/professional services.

The amount paid (often monthly) to keep an insurance policy active.

The percentage of a covered cost the patient pays after the deductible.

Federal insurance primarily for people 65 and older.

Joint federal-state insurance for people with low income.

A claim with no errors that can be processed without extra information.

A report showing how long accounts have been unpaid.

A form listing services and codes for a visit, used for billing.

The list of charges for the practice's services.

Record missed appointments in the patient's chart.

Tracking and reordering supplies so the office doesn't run out.

Verbal and nonverbal techniques that build trust and gather accurate information.

Giving full attention, not interrupting, and confirming understanding.

A question that invites more than a yes/no answer (e.g., 'How are you feeling?').

Giving advice, false reassurance, interrupting, and changing the subject.

Posture, gestures, eye contact, tone, and facial expression.

Repeating or paraphrasing what the patient said to confirm understanding.

Asking for more detail to make a vague statement clear.

Identify yourself and the office, be courteous, and never give medical advice outside your scope.

Respecting and adapting care to a patient's cultural beliefs and practices.

Face the patient, speak clearly, and use written materials or an interpreter as needed.

Empathy = understanding the patient's feelings; sympathy = feeling sorry for them.

Prioritizing callers by urgency and routing emergencies appropriately.

The receiver's response that confirms a message was understood.

A question answered with yes/no or a single word.

Refusing to accept a painful reality.

The comfortable distance between people during interaction.

Record the date, time, caller, message, and action taken.

Stay calm, listen actively, acknowledge feelings, and avoid arguing.

Use simple words, be honest, and involve the caregiver.

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act — protects patients' health information.

Protected health information — individually identifiable health data.

Access and disclose only the PHI needed to do the task.

Treatment, payment, and health-care operations (TPO).

Voluntary agreement to a procedure after the provider explains risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Consent inferred from a patient's actions or assumed in a true emergency.

The provider — the medical assistant may witness the signature.

Delegated clinical and administrative tasks under provider supervision and state law — no diagnosing or prescribing.

Failure to provide the standard of care that a reasonable person would.

The level of care a reasonably competent provider would give in the same situation.

Legally required reporting of abuse, neglect, and certain communicable diseases.

A document stating a patient's wishes for care if they can't decide for themselves.

The charting principle that care must be documented to be legally recognized.

Touching or treating a patient without consent.

Ending the provider-patient relationship without proper notice or transfer of care.

The ethical principle of acting in the patient's best interest.

A wrongful act (other than breach of contract) that causes harm.

Professional negligence by a health-care provider.

Harming someone's reputation — libel (written) or slander (spoken).

Improperly disclosing or exposing a patient's private information.

Protects those who give reasonable emergency aid in good faith from liability.

A legal order to produce records or testify.

Keeping a patient's information private and shared only as permitted.

An advance directive stating wishes about life-sustaining treatment.

Names a person to make medical decisions if the patient cannot.

Sets out a patient's rights to information, privacy, and respectful care.

A minor legally able to consent to their own care.

'The thing speaks for itself' — negligence is obvious (e.g., a retained instrument).