Preparing for the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) exam? Pathology is one of the areas our deck drills hardest: 120 of its 1050 flashcards focus on pathology, covering topics like Orthostatic Hypotension, GFR, CKD, Glomerular Filtration Rate. Try the sample questions below — every card is a real question-and-answer pair from the full deck.
120
Cards on this topic
1050
Total CMA cards
$7
Full access
A 5-year-old presents with honey-colored crusted lesions around the mouth and nares. What is the most likely diagnosis and the most common causative pathogen identified in current clinical guidelines?
Show answer →Diagnosis: Impetigo. Pathogen: Staphylococcus aureus (most common) or Streptococcus pyogenes. It is highly contagious and common in children. Treatment: Topical mupirocin (Bactroban) for localized cases; oral antibiotics for widespread involvement. CMA Tip: AAMA frequently tests the honey-colored crust descriptor. Ensure the patient is educated on strict hand hygiene and instructed not to share towels or linens to prevent transmission.
When assisting a patient with limited mobility from a wheelchair to the exam table, which body mechanics principle is most critical for the medical assistant to prevent lumbar injury?
Show answer →Maintain a wide base of support and pivot the feet rather than twisting the torso. Principles: 1. Keep the patient close to your center of gravity (the pelvis). 2. Bend at the knees and hips, not the waist. 3. Use large leg muscles (gluteus maximus/quadriceps) for lifting. Exam Strategy: AAMA emphasizes pivoting over twisting. Twisting the spine while loaded is the most common cause of MA work-related injury. Always lock wheelchair brakes before the transfer.
What are the three specific criteria used to diagnose Orthostatic Hypotension during a positional blood pressure assessment?
Show answer →Criteria: A drop in Systolic BP of ≥20 mmHg, a drop in Diastolic BP of ≥10 mmHg, or an increase in Heart Rate of ≥20 bpm within 3 minutes of standing. Pathophysiology: Failure of the autonomic nervous system to compensate for gravity-induced blood pooling in the lower extremities, leading to decreased venous return and cardiac output. MA Procedure: Measure BP/HR while the patient is supine (after 5 mins), then sitting, then standing. Safety is paramount; the MA must stand near the patient to prevent falls due to syncope.
A patient's lab report shows a persistent Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) of 45 mL/min/1.73m² for over 4 months. What stage of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) does this represent?
Show answer →Stage 3 CKD (Moderate decrease in GFR: 30-59). MA Role: Monitor blood pressure, document weight changes to assess fluid retention, and reinforce dietary restrictions (e.g., low sodium/potassium). Exam Strategy: Remember that Stage 5 (End-Stage Renal Disease) is GFR <15. CKD is defined by GFR <60 for >3 months.
A patient presents with a single, painless, firm ulcerated lesion (chancre) on the genitals. What is the causative organism and what stage of the disease does this represent?
Show answer →Treponema pallidum (a spirochete), representing Primary Syphilis. If left untreated, it progresses to Secondary Syphilis (characterized by a maculopapular rash on palms/soles and condyloma lata) and eventually Tertiary Syphilis (gummas, neurosyphilis). Screening is performed via RPR or VDRL, with confirmation by FTA-ABS. The treatment of choice is Penicillin G. AAMA may test the painless nature of the primary chancre to differentiate it from the painful ulcers of Herpes (HSV-2).
Keep going
You just saw a few. The full deck covers every CMA topic.
One-time payment · less than 1¢ per card · 30-day money-back guarantee
Try 30 free CMA cards firstThe full CMA deck contains 1050 flashcards, and 120 of them focus on pathology. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CMA deck dedicates 120 of 1050 cards (11%) to pathology — always cross-check the official AAMA exam outline for the current blueprint weighting.
Yes — the samples on this page are free, and the CMA preview page has 30 more free cards. Full access to all 1050 cards is a one-time $7.
Assessment
90 cards
Basics
80 cards
Diagnostics
90 cards
Ethics
10 cards
Law
60 cards
Management
250 cards
Pharmacology
50 cards
Physiology
120 cards
Procedures
180 cards
CMA practice test
20 mixed questions across every topic, with answers — see where you stand →
CMA study guide
Topic weights, difficulty breakdown and a 5-step study plan →
Eligibility rules, fees, question counts and passing standards are set by the certifying body and change over time. Always confirm them at the source before you apply or schedule your exam — our flashcards are practice material, not the official handbook.