Are flashcards effective for the CMA exam?

Yes. Flashcards use active recall — retrieving an answer from memory — which research shows is one of the most effective ways to make information stick, especially in short sessions spread over several days. That matters for facts like the order of draw, injection angles, normal vital-sign ranges, and ICD-10 versus CPT coding.

What topics do the CMA flashcards cover?

Every AAMA CMA category: Clinical Competency (the largest — vitals, safety and infection control, procedures and examinations, anatomy, specimen collection, CLIA lab testing, EKG, and pharmacology), General (legal and ethical issues, HIPAA, consent, and communication), and Administrative (CPT/ICD-10/HCPCS coding, insurance, and scheduling).

Do these flashcards match the current AAMA CMA exam?

Yes. Every card is written to the official AAMA CMA (AAMA) Content Outline — Clinical Competency (59%), General (21%), and Administrative (20%) — and to official guidance from the CDC, OSHA, HHS, and NIH, so you study exactly what the exam tests.

How is the CMA different from the NHA CCMA?

Both certify medical assistants, but the CMA is the AAMA credential (200 questions, four 40-minute segments, three content categories) while the CCMA is the NHA credential (180 scored items, seven categories). The clinical and administrative skills overlap, so these cards reinforce the same bench skills, but the cert facts differ.

How should I study with these flashcards?

Mix the modes: flip to learn, type to test recall, match for speed, and quiz to check yourself. Spend the most time on Clinical Competency — at 59% it is well over half the exam — and master vital-sign ranges, the order of draw, and the rights of medication administration first.

Are the CMA flashcards free?

Yes — 100% free, all four study modes, no paywall.

Normal adult temperature

97.8–99.1 °F (average ~98.6 °F).

90° — into muscle (e.g., deltoid, ventrogluteal).

45° — into the fatty tissue beneath the skin.

Intradermal (ID) injection angle

10–15° — a shallow angle into the dermis.

Lavender (purple) tube additive

EDTA — used for CBC and hematology.

Light-blue tube additive

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

Red / gold (SST) tube additive

Clot activator / gel — serum chemistry and serology.

Heparin — plasma chemistry and STAT electrolytes.

Sodium fluoride — glucose and lactate testing.

Cultures, light blue, red/gold, green, lavender, gray.

Most common venipuncture site

The median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa.

Two patient identifiers

Full name and date of birth — verified before any procedure.

Chain of infection (six links)

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

Treat every patient's blood and body fluids as infectious.

Clean technique that reduces and contains microorganisms.

Sterile technique that eliminates all microorganisms.

Sterile field 1-inch border

Treated as non-sterile (contaminated).

Never recap by hand; drop point-first into a puncture-proof container.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

Federal rule governing sharps safety, PPE, and exposure control.

12-lead EKG electrodes

10 electrodes (4 limb + 6 precordial) produce 12 views.

Represents atrial depolarization.

Represents ventricular depolarization.

Represents ventricular repolarization.

V1 electrode position

4th intercostal space, right sternal border.

EKG paper speed (standard)

25 mm/sec — one small box = 0.04 s, one large box = 0.20 s.

Wandering baseline artifact

Drifting EKG baseline, often from patient movement or breathing.

60-cycle interference

Uniform fuzzy EKG artifact from nearby electrical equipment.

A simple, low-risk lab test a medical assistant may perform.

Common CLIA-waived tests

Blood glucose, rapid strep, urinalysis dipstick, urine hCG, hemoglobin A1c.

Hemoglobin A1c measures

Average blood glucose over about three months.

The percentage of red blood cells in whole blood.

The core meaning of a medical term (e.g., cardi = heart).

A word part at the beginning that modifies meaning (e.g., brady- = slow).

A word part at the end, often naming a condition or procedure (e.g., -itis).

Usually 'o' — joins word parts to ease pronunciation.

Your FREE CMA Flashcards 2026 – 300+ Cards

Realistic, AAMA-aligned CMA flashcards — flip, match, type, and quiz yourself, all at the Certified Medical Assistant level.

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CMA Flashcards

Normal adult pulse: 60–100 beats per minute.
Normal adult respirations: 12–20 breaths per minute.
Normal adult temperature: 97.8–99.1 °F (average ~98.6 °F).
Normal adult blood pressure: Under 120/80 mmHg.
Normal pulse oximetry (SpO₂): 95–100%.
IM injection angle: 90° — into muscle (e.g., deltoid, ventrogluteal).
SubQ injection angle: 45° — into the fatty tissue beneath the skin.
Intradermal (ID) injection angle: 10–15° — a shallow angle into the dermis.
BMI of 30 or higher: Classified as obese.
BMI 25–29.9: Classified as overweight.
BMI 18.5–24.9: Classified as normal weight.
Lavender (purple) tube additive: EDTA — used for CBC and hematology.
Light-blue tube additive: Sodium citrate — used for coagulation (PT/INR, PTT).
Red / gold (SST) tube additive: Clot activator / gel — serum chemistry and serology.
Green tube additive: Heparin — plasma chemistry and STAT electrolytes.
Gray tube additive: Sodium fluoride — glucose and lactate testing.
Order of draw: Cultures, light blue, red/gold, green, lavender, gray.
Most common venipuncture site: The median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa.
Rights of medication administration: Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, and documentation.
Two patient identifiers: Full name and date of birth — verified before any procedure.
Most important infection-control measure: Hand hygiene.
Chain of infection (six links): Agent, reservoir, portal of exit, transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host.
Standard precautions: Treat every patient's blood and body fluids as infectious.
Medical asepsis: Clean technique that reduces and contains microorganisms.
Surgical asepsis: Sterile technique that eliminates all microorganisms.
Sterile field 1-inch border: Treated as non-sterile (contaminated).
Sharps disposal rule: Never recap by hand; drop point-first into a puncture-proof container.
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard: Federal rule governing sharps safety, PPE, and exposure control.
12-lead EKG electrodes: 10 electrodes (4 limb + 6 precordial) produce 12 views.
P wave: Represents atrial depolarization.
QRS complex: Represents ventricular depolarization.
T wave: Represents ventricular repolarization.
V1 electrode position: 4th intercostal space, right sternal border.
EKG paper speed (standard): 25 mm/sec — one small box = 0.04 s, one large box = 0.20 s.
Wandering baseline artifact: Drifting EKG baseline, often from patient movement or breathing.
60-cycle interference: Uniform fuzzy EKG artifact from nearby electrical equipment.
CLIA-waived test: A simple, low-risk lab test a medical assistant may perform.
Common CLIA-waived tests: Blood glucose, rapid strep, urinalysis dipstick, urine hCG, hemoglobin A1c.
Hemoglobin A1c measures: Average blood glucose over about three months.
Hematocrit: The percentage of red blood cells in whole blood.
Word root: The core meaning of a medical term (e.g., cardi = heart).
Prefix: A word part at the beginning that modifies meaning (e.g., brady- = slow).
Suffix: A word part at the end, often naming a condition or procedure (e.g., -itis).
Combining vowel: Usually 'o' — joins word parts to ease pronunciation.
-itis: Suffix meaning inflammation (e.g., arthritis).
-ectomy: Suffix meaning surgical removal (e.g., appendectomy).
-emia: Suffix meaning a blood condition (e.g., anemia).
brady-: Prefix meaning slow (e.g., bradycardia).
tachy-: Prefix meaning fast (e.g., tachycardia).
hyper-: Prefix meaning excessive or above normal.
hypo-: Prefix meaning deficient or below normal.
PRN: As needed (pro re nata).
STAT: Immediately / at once.
NPO: Nothing by mouth (nil per os).
PO: By mouth (per os).
BID: Twice a day.
TID: Three times a day.
QID: Four times a day.
Sagittal plane: Divides the body into right and left portions.
Frontal (coronal) plane: Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back).
Transverse plane: Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower).
Anatomical position: Standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward.
Superior: Toward the head (opposite: inferior).
Anterior (ventral): Toward the front (opposite: posterior/dorsal).
Medial: Toward the midline (opposite: lateral).
Proximal: Toward the trunk or point of origin (opposite: distal).
Supine position: Lying flat on the back — used for abdominal exams.
Fowler's position: Semi-sitting (45–60°) — used for breathing or head/neck exams.
Lithotomy position: On the back with feet in stirrups — pelvic/gynecologic exams.
Sims' position: Left side with right knee flexed — rectal exams and enemas.
Prone position: Lying face down — back and spine exams.
Knee-chest position: Kneeling with chest down — sigmoidoscopy and rectal exams.
Auscultation: Listening to body sounds, usually with a stethoscope.
Palpation: Examining by touch (feeling).
Percussion: Tapping the body and listening to the resulting sounds.
Inspection: Examining the body by looking.
Autoclave: Sterilizes instruments with pressurized steam.
Sterilization indicator: Confirms an autoclave load reached sterilizing conditions.
Midstream clean-catch urine: Cleansed collection of the middle portion of the urine stream.
24-hour urine collection: A timed specimen collecting all urine over a full day.
Chain of custody (drug screen): Documented control of a specimen to ensure legal integrity.
Capillary (dermal) puncture: A fingerstick or heelstick to collect a small blood sample.
Six classes of nutrients: Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Main energy nutrients: Carbohydrates and fats.
Z-track method: An IM technique that seals irritating medication in the muscle.
Dosage formula: (Desired dose ÷ dose on hand) × quantity on hand.
Metric conversion: 1 gram: Equals 1000 milligrams.
Metric conversion: 1 milligram: Equals 1000 micrograms.
Contraindication: A reason a drug or procedure should NOT be used for a patient.
VIS (Vaccine Information Statement): A CDC document given to patients before a vaccination.
VAERS: Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System — for reporting reactions.
Insulin shock: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) — give fast-acting sugar if conscious.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): Hyperglycemic emergency with ketones — needs urgent care.
First aid for bleeding: Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound.
Spill kit: Supplies used to safely clean a blood or body-fluid spill.
SDS (Safety Data Sheet): Describes a chemical's hazards, handling, and first aid.
Crash cart: A mobile cart of emergency medications and equipment.
Bacteria vs virus: Bacteria are treated with antibiotics; viruses are not.
Direct transmission: Spread by direct contact between an infected and a susceptible host.
Indirect transmission: Spread through a contaminated object, surface, or vector.
PPE (personal protective equipment): Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection against exposure.
Chief concern: The main reason, in the patient's words, for the visit.
SOAP note: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan — a documentation format.
Open-ended question: A question that invites a detailed, narrative answer.
Correcting a charting error: Single line through it, then initial and date — never erase.
Medication-error reporting: Document and report per facility policy immediately.
Centrifuge: Spins a specimen to separate components (e.g., serum from cells).
Wet mount: A slide prep (saline or KOH) examined under the microscope.
Quality control (lab): Routine checks confirming test accuracy and reliability.
Calibration: Adjusting an instrument to a known standard for accuracy.
Korotkoff sounds: The tapping sounds heard when taking a manual blood pressure.
Systolic pressure: The top number — pressure when the heart contracts.
Diastolic pressure: The bottom number — pressure when the heart rests.
Apical pulse site: Heard at the apex of the heart, 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line.
Radial pulse site: Felt at the thumb side of the wrist.
Carotid pulse site: Felt at the side of the neck.
Tachycardia: A fast heart rate (over 100 bpm in an adult).
Bradycardia: A slow heart rate (under 60 bpm in an adult).
BP cuff size rule: The bladder should encircle about 80% of the arm circumference.
Too-small BP cuff: Produces a falsely HIGH reading.
Febrile: Having a fever (elevated body temperature).
Pyrexia: Another word for fever.
Pediatric vital signs: Pulse and respiratory rates are higher than adults' and fall with age.
Growth chart: Plots a child's measurements against age-based percentiles.
CBC: Complete blood count — RBCs, WBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets.
WBC differential: The breakdown of white blood cell types.
ESR: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate — a nonspecific marker of inflammation.
INR: International Normalized Ratio — monitors warfarin/anticoagulation.
Lipid profile: Measures cholesterol and triglycerides.
Glucose tolerance test: Measures how the body handles a glucose load over time.
Urinalysis components: Physical, chemical (dipstick), and microscopic exam of urine.
PPD / TB skin test: An intradermal test read at 48–72 hours for tuberculosis exposure.
Rapid Group A strep test: A throat-swab test for streptococcal pharyngitis.
hCG test: Detects pregnancy in urine or blood.
Spirometry: A pulmonary function test measuring how much/fast air is exhaled.
Snellen chart: Measures distance visual acuity (e.g., 20/20).
Audiometry: Hearing testing using pure tones and speech recognition.
Holter monitor: A continuous portable EKG worn for 24–48 hours.
Disinfection vs sterilization: Disinfection kills most microbes; sterilization kills all.
Sanitization: Cleaning to remove debris and reduce microorganisms before disinfection.
Biohazard symbol: Marks containers for infectious or regulated medical waste.
Regulated medical waste: Blood, body fluids, sharps, and contaminated materials.
Post-exposure protocol: Steps after a needlestick: wash, report, and seek evaluation.
Eyewash station: Used to flush the eyes after a chemical or fluid splash.
Body mechanics: Using proper posture and lifting technique to prevent injury.
Incident report: Documents an unexpected event or safety variance.
Surgical scrub: A thorough hand and forearm wash before sterile procedures.
Surgical asepsis use: Setting up a sterile field, minor surgery, certain injections.
Suture vs staple removal: Removing closures once a wound has healed, per order.
Cast care: Keeping a cast clean and dry; watch for swelling or numbness.
Eye irrigation direction: Flush from the inner to the outer canthus.
Specimen labeling: Label at the patient's side with two identifiers and date/time.
Specimen contamination: Improper collection or handling that invalidates a result.
Refrigeration (specimen): A common preservation method for certain specimens.
Microscope use: Examines cells and microorganisms (e.g., on a wet mount).
Drug action / indication: What a drug does and the condition it treats.
Adverse drug reaction: An unintended, harmful response to a medication.
Generic vs brand name: Generic is the chemical name; brand is the trademarked name.
Drug storage: Per label — some require refrigeration or light protection.
Sublingual route: Medication dissolved under the tongue.
Transdermal route: Medication absorbed through the skin via a patch.
Inhalation route: Medication breathed into the lungs (e.g., nebulizer, inhaler).
Instillation route: Drops placed into the eye, ear, or nose.
Needle gauge: The diameter of a needle — a higher number is a thinner needle.
Deltoid site: A common adult IM injection site in the upper arm.
Ventrogluteal site: A preferred IM site for larger volumes.
Vastus lateralis site: The preferred IM site for infants.
Immunization schedule source: The CDC publishes childhood and adult immunization schedules.
Cell, tissue, organ: The structural units of the body, from smallest to largest.
Integumentary system: Skin, hair, and nails — the body's protective barrier.
Cardiovascular system: The heart and vessels that circulate blood.
Respiratory system: The lungs and airways for gas exchange.
Four abdominal quadrants: RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ — used to locate findings.
HIPAA: Protects patients' protected health information (PHI).
PHI: Protected health information — identifiable health data kept private.
Minimum necessary standard: Limit PHI access and disclosure to only what a task requires.
HITECH Act: Strengthened HIPAA rules for electronic records and breach notice.
Informed consent: Documented voluntary agreement after the provider explains risks.
Implied consent: Consent inferred from actions or assumed in a true emergency.
Who obtains informed consent?: The provider — the medical assistant may witness the signature.
Negligence: Failing to provide the accepted standard of care, causing harm.
Assault: Threatening or attempting unwanted touch (creating fear).
Battery: Actual unauthorized or unwanted touching of a patient.
Slander: Spoken defamation of character.
Libel: Written defamation of character.
Abandonment: Ending the provider-patient relationship without proper notice.
Respondeat superior: Employer is liable for an employee's on-the-job negligence.
Good Samaritan law: Protects those who give reasonable emergency aid in good faith.
Standard of care: The level of care a reasonably prudent professional would provide.
Subpoena duces tecum: A legal order to produce documents or records.
Deposition: Sworn out-of-court testimony recorded for use in a case.
Scope of practice: Tasks an MA is trained, delegated, and legally allowed to do.
An MA may NOT: Diagnose, prescribe, or independently interpret results.
Drug schedules: DEA classifications I–V by abuse potential (e.g., II = high).
Controlled substance: A drug regulated under federal law due to abuse potential.
Mandatory reporting: Required reporting of abuse, communicable diseases, and certain wounds.
Advance directive: A document stating care wishes if a patient can't decide.
Living will: An advance directive specifying desired treatments.
DNR order: Do Not Resuscitate — no CPR if the heart or breathing stops.
DNI order: Do Not Intubate — no breathing tube placed.
Durable power of attorney (health): Names a person to make medical decisions for a patient.
PSDA: Patient Self-Determination Act — informs patients of directive rights.
GINA: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act — protects genetic data.
Authorization to release PHI: Written patient permission to disclose records.
Patients' Bill of Rights: Outlines a patient's rights to care, privacy, and information.
Therapeutic communication: Techniques (open questions, reflection) that build trust.
Active listening: Full attention, no interrupting, and confirming understanding.
Communication block: Advice, false reassurance, or changing the subject.
False reassurance: A communication block — 'Don't worry, it's nothing.'
Nonverbal communication: Posture, tone, facial expression, eye contact, gestures.
De-escalation: Calming an upset patient to reduce tension safely.
Empathy: Understanding and sharing another person's feelings.
ADAAA: Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act — accessibility compliance.
Interpreter use: Required for non-English-speaking and some impaired patients.
Patient navigator / advocate: An MA role helping patients access and coordinate care.
Sender-receiver-feedback: The basic communication cycle with confirmation of meaning.
Defense mechanism: An unconscious coping behavior (e.g., denial, projection).
Cultural competence: Respecting and adapting to a patient's cultural beliefs.
Service recovery: Resolving a complaint to restore patient satisfaction.
Telephone screening: Gathering data and triaging calls by urgency.
Ethics vs law: Ethics are moral standards; law is enforceable rules.
Encryption: Encoding electronic PHI so only authorized users can read it.
Continuity of care release: Sharing records with another provider for ongoing treatment.
Confidentiality: Keeping patient information private — verbal and written.
Bias / stereotype: An unfair generalization the MA must recognize and avoid.
Emancipated minor: A minor legally able to consent to their own care.
Reportable wounds of violence: Gunshot, stab, and similar wounds must be reported.
Privacy vs confidentiality: Privacy is the patient's right; confidentiality is the duty to protect it.
Breach of confidentiality: Disclosing PHI without authorization or a care reason.
Verbal vs written consent: Verbal may suffice for minor care; invasive procedures need written.
Patient's right to refuse: A competent adult may refuse care; document the refusal.
Mature minor: A minor judged able to understand and consent to certain care.
Tort: A civil wrong causing harm, leading to legal liability.
Intentional vs unintentional tort: Intentional (assault/battery) vs negligence (unintentional).
Malpractice: Professional negligence by a health-care provider.
Statute of limitations: The time limit for filing a lawsuit.
Express contract: An agreement stated clearly in words (spoken or written).
Implied contract: An agreement shown by actions or circumstances.
Termination of care: Ending a provider-patient relationship with proper written notice.
e-Prescribing: Electronically sending a prescription to a pharmacy.
Schedule II drug: High abuse potential, accepted medical use (e.g., opioids).
Reportable communicable disease: Certain infections must be reported to public health.
Vital statistics: Records of births, deaths, and similar events.
Ethical standards: Professional codes guiding honest, respectful conduct.
Conflict of interest: A personal interest that could improperly influence duties.
Firewall: A security barrier protecting electronic health information.
Activity log / audit trail: A record of who accessed electronic PHI and when.
Geriatric communication: Speak clearly, allow time, and respect dignity with older adults.
Pediatric communication: Use simple words and involve the caregiver as appropriate.
Health literacy: A patient's ability to understand health information.
Teach-back: Asking a patient to restate instructions to confirm understanding.
Personal boundaries: Limits protecting against harassment and unwanted attention.
Clarification: A therapeutic technique confirming the meaning of a message.
Reflection: Restating a patient's feelings to show understanding.
Plan of care communication: Coordinating the care team and referrals around the patient.
Identifying medical specialties: Knowing which specialist treats which condition for referrals.
Message protocols (phone): Standardized handling of patient phone messages.
ICD-10-CM codes: Describe the diagnosis — why care was given.
CPT codes: Describe the procedure or service — what was done.
HCPCS Level II: Codes for supplies, equipment, and services not in CPT.
Medical necessity: A procedure code must be supported by a diagnosis code.
CPT modifier: A two-character add-on that refines a CPT code's meaning.
Upcoding: Billing a higher-level code than documented — fraud.
Downcoding: Billing a lower-level code than documented.
Unbundling: Separately billing services that should be billed together — fraud.
Medicare: Federal insurance for people 65+ and certain disabilities.
Medicare Advantage: A private-plan alternative to Original Medicare (Part C).
Medicaid: State-administered, income-based coverage.
SCHIP: State Children's Health Insurance Program for low-income children.
TRICARE / CHAMPVA: Coverage for military members, retirees, and dependents.
Workers' compensation: Covers job-related injuries and illnesses.
Managed care (HMO/PPO): Plans that control cost through networks and referrals.
EOB (Explanation of Benefits): A statement to the patient explaining claim payment.
Remittance advice: A statement to the provider explaining claim payment.
Eligibility verification: Confirming a patient's active insurance coverage.
Prior authorization: Insurer approval required before certain services or drugs.
Denial / appeal: A rejected claim and the request to reconsider it.
ABN (Advance Beneficiary Notice): Warns a Medicare patient they may owe for a service.
Deductible: The amount a patient pays before insurance begins to pay.
Co-pay: A fixed amount the patient pays at the time of service.
Co-insurance: A percentage of the cost the patient shares after the deductible.
Accounts receivable (A/R): Money owed TO the practice.
Accounts payable (A/P): Money the practice OWES to others.
Aging of accounts: Tracking how long balances have been unpaid (30/60/90 days).
End-of-day reconciliation: Balancing the day's charges, payments, and adjustments.
Write-off / adjustment: Removing an uncollectible or contractual amount from a balance.
Itemized statement: A bill listing each charge and payment in detail.
Insurance fraud: Intentional deception for unauthorized benefit (e.g., upcoding).
Insurance abuse: Practices inconsistent with sound billing, causing improper payment.
Time-specified (stream) scheduling: Each patient gets a set appointment time.
Wave scheduling: Several patients booked at the top of the hour, seen in order.
Modified wave scheduling: Patients booked at intervals within the hour.
Cluster scheduling: Grouping similar visit types together.
Double-booking: Two patients in one slot — used sparingly for urgent add-ons.
Scheduling matrix: Blocking off times when a provider is unavailable.
No-show: A patient who misses an appointment without canceling.
Routine vs urgent visit: Urgent needs are triaged ahead of routine appointments.
New vs established patient: Established patients have been seen within three years.
Ancillary services: Lab, X-ray, surgery, and outpatient services coordinated by the MA.
Patient demographics: Identifying data: name, DOB, address, insurance, contact.
Identity theft protection: Verifying ID and safeguarding patient information.
EHR (electronic health record): The digital chart storing a patient's medical information.
Patient portal: A secure website where patients view records and message staff.
History and physical (H&P): A report documenting the patient's history and exam.
Discharge summary: A report summarizing a hospital stay at discharge.
Operative note: A report documenting a surgical procedure.
Progress note: A clinic note documenting an ongoing course of care.
Consultation report: A specialist's findings sent back to the referring provider.
Pre-visit planning: Preparing the chart and records before the patient arrives.
Coordinate facility/equipment: Booking rooms, staff, and equipment for an appointment.
Collection agency: A third party used to recover seriously overdue patient balances.
Diagnostic coding: Using ICD-10-CM to report the patient's condition.
Procedural coding: Using CPT to report the service or procedure performed.
Bundling: Combining related services under a single code.
Clean claim: A complete, accurate claim that processes without rejection.
Claim rejection: A claim returned for errors before processing.
Explanation of benefits vs RA: EOB goes to the patient; remittance advice goes to the provider.
Birthday rule: Determines primary coverage for a child with two insured parents.
Coordination of benefits: Rules deciding which plan pays first when there are two.
Capitation: A fixed per-patient payment to a provider regardless of services.
Fee-for-service: Payment based on each service provided.
Premium: The regular amount paid to keep an insurance policy active.
Self-pay: A patient paying out of pocket without insurance.
Credit balance: An overpayment owed back to the patient or payer.
Posting payments: Recording received payments to patient accounts.
Day sheet: A daily record of charges, payments, and adjustments.
Encounter form / superbill: Lists services and codes for a single patient visit.
Precertification: Insurer approval obtained before a planned procedure.
Formulary: An insurer's approved list of covered medications.
Beneficiary: A person covered by an insurance plan.
Subscriber / policyholder: The person who holds the insurance policy.
Established patient (3-year rule): Seen by the practice within the past three years.
Open-hours scheduling: Patients seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cancellation policy: Rules for rescheduling and handling missed appointments.
Recall system: Reminding patients of needed follow-up or preventive visits.
Triage (scheduling): Prioritizing patients by the urgency of their needs.
Patient registration: Collecting demographics and insurance at check-in.
Release of information: Disclosing records only with proper authorization.
Record retention: Keeping medical records for the legally required period.
Active vs inactive record: Current patients vs those not seen recently.
Problem-oriented record (POMR): A chart organized around the patient's problem list.

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By Career EmployerUpdated Sep 12, 2026

300+ free CMA flashcards — 4 ways to study

CMA Flashcard of the DayNew daily

The classic card. Do you know this one?

Click Study Flashcards above to open the flashcard hub — hundreds of CMA cards you can flip, match, type, or quiz yourself on. Every card is drawn from the AAMA CMA (AAMA) content categories, so you study exactly what the Certified Medical Assistant exam tests.^[1] Pair them with our free practice questions and study guide.

CMA Flashcard Study Modes

Four ways to work the same 341 cards: Flip for quiet study, Match for a timed race pairing terms with their meanings, Type for recall where you read the definition and key the term back, and Quiz for multiple choice drawn from the deck. Type is where abbreviations like NPO stop feeling familiar and start being known cold.

Free CMA flashcards from Career Employer — active recall for the AAMA Certified Medical Assistant exam

Why Flashcards Work for the CMA Exam

Clinical Competency carries 59% of the exam and 173 cards, making it the heaviest block in the deck by a wide margin. Much of it is the shorthand that appears on orders and charts: dosing route and frequency terms such as PO, PRN and NPO, the scheduling abbreviations BID, TID and QID, and lab shorthand like CBC and ESR. These are pure recognition items, which is exactly what a flashcard deck is built to drill.

General accounts for 21% of the exam and 84 cards in this deck, concentrated on the legal, ethical and privacy vocabulary a medical assistant is expected to use precisely. You will see PHI and HIPAA alongside statute-level terms such as PSDA, GINA and ADAAA, plus the liability language that separates one wrong from another, including Tort, Libel and Assault. The distinctions here are narrow, so read the definitions closely rather than pattern-matching the first few words.

Administrative is 20% of the exam and also 84 cards, covering insurance, coding and front-office terms. Payer names and programs show up as Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP, patient-cost language as Premium and Co-pay, and billing practice terms as Upcoding and Bundling. Scheduling and records vocabulary such as No-show rounds it out.

Taken together, the two smaller domains match each other in size while the clinical block outweighs both. Let the weighting guide how you split sessions, and let the card counts tell you how many passes each domain realistically needs before it holds.

That matters on the CMA, where facts like the order of draw, the injection angles, the normal vital-sign ranges, and the rights of medication administration must be instantly available. Used alongside our practice questions and study guide, flashcards turn review time into measurable progress.

CMA Flashcards by Topic

The cards are organized by the three AAMA CMA content categories. Weight your study toward the heaviest one — Clinical Competency is 59% of the scored items:^[1]

AAMA CMA content categories and their scored-item weight
AAMA CMA category	Weight
Clinical Competency	59%
General	21%
Administrative	20%

How to Get the Most Out of These Flashcards

Start clinical. Clinical Competency is 59% of the exam and 173 cards, so open there while you are fresh and give it more sessions than the other two domains combined.
Type the abbreviations. Order and lab shorthand like QID and CBC has to come back instantly, and typing the term from its definition exposes the ones you only half recognize.
Match the legal terms. Use Match on General cards such as Tort and Libel, where speed pairing similar-sounding concepts forces you to hold the distinctions apart under time pressure.
Switch when Quiz stops teaching. Once multiple choice runs clean across all three domains, move to the practice test for full-length pacing and use the study guide to fill gaps.
Work in short repeated passes. With 341 cards, run one domain per sitting, revisit missed cards the next day, and cycle the full deck several times rather than cramming it once.

CMA Flashcards FAQ

Hundreds of free CMA (AAMA) flashcards, organized across the three AAMA Certified Medical Assistant content categories — Clinical Competency (vitals, infection control, procedures, specimen collection, lab/EKG, pharmacology), General (legal/ethics and communication), and Administrative (coding, insurance, and scheduling). They're free with no account required.

References

1.American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). “Content Outline for the CMA (AAMA)® Certification Exam & Certification.” AAMA.org. ↑
2.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Standard Precautions & Infection Control in Healthcare.” CDC.gov. ↑
3.National Institutes of Health / National Library of Medicine. “StatPearls & MedlinePlus (anatomy, vitals, medication administration, phlebotomy).” NIH/NLM. ↑

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