CCMA Cheat Sheet: High-Yield Medical Assisting Facts

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The precise facts that recur on the CCMA. Skim before test day, then prove it with practice.

Exam facts

  • 180 questions (150 scored), 3 hours; pass = 390/500
  • Biggest area: Clinical Patient Care (56%)

Phlebotomy order of draw

  1. Blood culture (sterile)
  2. Light blue — sodium citrate (coagulation)
  3. Red / gold (SST) — serum
  4. Green — heparin
  5. Lavender — EDTA
  6. Gray — fluoride/oxalate

Injection angles

  • Intradermal: 10–15°
  • Subcutaneous: 45°
  • Intramuscular: 90°

EKG chest leads

  • V1: 4th intercostal space, right sternal border
  • V2: 4th intercostal space, left sternal border
  • V4: 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line

Normal adult vital signs

  • Heart rate 60–100 bpm; respirations 12–20; temperature ~98.6°F (37°C)
  • Blood pressure under 120/80 mmHg is normal

Infection control

  • Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure
  • Standard precautions apply to every patient

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Sources & references

The exam facts on this page are drawn from official certifying-body materials, reviewed 2026-06-18 by the DrCertifications exam-prep team (10+ years in exam preparation and publishing).