Want to test your pharmacology knowledge before the CMA exam? Below are free sample flashcards from the 50-card pharmacology section of our 1050-card CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) deck, which covers Keflex, Flovent, Right Medication, Medical Assistant and more.
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A patient reports a history of hives and wheezing after taking Amoxicillin. The provider prescribes Cephalexin (Keflex). What is the MA's most appropriate action?
Show answer →The MA should immediately alert the provider before the prescription is finalized. There is a 1%–10% cross-reactivity risk between penicillins and cephalosporins due to similar beta-lactam ring structures. A history of Type I hypersensitivity (anaphylaxis, hives, wheezing) is a contraindication. AAMA Focus: Recognition of drug-allergy contraindications is high-yield. Distractor: Proceed if the reaction was only a mild rash is incorrect for CMA exams when systemic symptoms (wheezing) are noted.
A patient taking Lisinopril for hypertension reports a persistent, dry, non-productive cough. What is the physiological cause of this side effect, and what is the typical clinical recommendation?
Show answer →Lisinopril is an ACE Inhibitor. The cough is caused by the accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs. Clinical Pearl: This is a class-wide effect of ACE inhibitors (-pril). Recommendations: The provider will usually switch the patient to an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) like Losartan, which does not affect bradykinin. CMA Tip: AAMA exams often test the ACE to ARB transition due to this specific side effect. Priority: Patient education on reporting persistent cough.
A patient with asthma is prescribed Albuterol (Proventil) and Fluticasone (Flovent). Which should the MA instruct the patient to use first during an acute episode, and why?
Show answer →Albuterol (SABA) must be used first. Rationale: Albuterol is a rescue bronchodilator that rapidly opens airways (onset 5-15 mins). Using it first allows the maintenance steroid (Fluticasone) to penetrate deeper into the lung tissue. CMA Tip: AAMA emphasizes distinguishing between rescue and maintenance (controller) inhalers. Distractors often suggest steroids for acute attacks, which is incorrect due to their delayed onset.
To ensure the Right Medication, at which three specific points must the Medical Assistant check the label against the provider's order?
Show answer →The triple check occurs: 1) When taking the medication from storage (cabinet or fridge). 2) When preparing the medication (drawing it up or pouring it). 3) When returning the container to storage or before discarding the vial. AAMA Tip: Never rely on memory; always compare the label directly to the EHR or written order to prevent selection errors.
A provider orders Ciprofloxacin 0.5 g PO. The medication is available in 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the medical assistant administer?
Show answer →Step 1: Convert grams to milligrams. 0.5 g × 1,000 = 500 mg. Step 2: Use the formula (Desired / Have) × Quantity. (500 mg / 250 mg) × 1 tablet = 2 tablets. Exam Strategy: AAMA often tests the ability to convert between grams and milligrams before calculating the dose. Always ensure units match before applying the formula. Distractors often include 1.25 or 0.5 tablets for those who fail to convert units.
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Try 30 free CMA cards firstThe full CMA deck contains 1050 flashcards, and 50 of them focus on pharmacology. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CMA deck dedicates 50 of 1050 cards (5%) to pharmacology — 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.
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