AMT RMA 2026 — Medical Assistant Study Deck

266 beginner-friendly flashcards aligned to the official 2026 AMT Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam content outline. Covers exam strategy, anatomy, terminology, law and ethics, administration, clinical skills, infection control, lab testing, medications, and emergencies.

What credential does AMT award to a medical assistant?

RMA: Registered Medical Assistant certification.

How many questions are on the 2026 AMT RMA outline?

210 questions.

How long is the AMT Medical Assistant exam?

2 hours.

What is the largest 2026 RMA domain?

Clinical Medical Assisting: 115 questions, 55%.

What percentage is General Medical Assisting?

31%, or 65 questions.

What percentage is Administrative Medical Assisting?

14%, or 30 questions.

Is a passing scaled score of 70 the same as 70% correct?

No. It is a point on a 0–100 scaled-score scale, not a percent or raw number correct.

What is the average time per question on a 210-question, 120-minute exam?

About 34 seconds per question.

Does the AMT exam clock stop for breaks?

No.

Are calculators allowed for AMT computerized testing?

No; the handbook says they are not allowed and are not necessary.

How early should a candidate arrive at a Pearson VUE test center?

At least 30 minutes early.

What identification is required at the test center?

Two valid matching original IDs with name and signature; at least one has a photo.

What should an ADHD candidate do about accommodations?

Request them with supporting documentation when applying; AMT says review may take up to 30 days.

What does the skeletal system do?

Supports and protects, provides movement leverage, stores minerals, and houses blood-cell-producing marrow.

What connects muscle to bone?

A tendon.

What connects bone to bone?

A ligament.

What are the three muscle types?

Skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.

What are the central nervous system structures?

Brain and spinal cord.

What is the peripheral nervous system?

Nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord.

Which system usually acts faster: nervous or endocrine?

The nervous system; endocrine signaling is generally slower and longer-lasting.

What hormone lowers blood glucose?

Insulin.

What hormone raises blood glucose?

Glucagon.

What is a major function of thyroid hormones?

Regulation of metabolic rate.

What does parathyroid hormone help regulate?

Blood calcium.

What structures make up the cardiovascular system?

Heart, blood, and blood vessels.

Do arteries always carry oxygen-rich blood?

No. Arteries are defined by carrying blood away from the heart.

How are veins defined?

They carry blood toward the heart.

Which chamber pumps blood to the lungs?

Right ventricle.

Which chamber pumps blood to the systemic circulation?

Left ventricle.

What valve is between the right atrium and right ventricle?

Tricuspid valve.

What valve is between the left atrium and left ventricle?

Mitral, or bicuspid, valve.

What normally starts the heartbeat?

The sinoatrial, or SA, node.

What is systole?

Ventricular contraction.

What is diastole?

Ventricular relaxation and filling.

Where does respiratory gas exchange occur?

Across the alveolar-capillary membrane in the lungs.

What is the main job of the respiratory system?

Bring in oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide.

What is the kidney's functional unit?

The nephron.

What is the urine flow sequence?

Kidney → ureter → bladder → urethra.

Where does most nutrient absorption occur?

The small intestine.

What is a major job of the large intestine?

Absorb water/electrolytes and form feces.

What does the liver produce that aids fat digestion?

Bile.

What does the gallbladder do?

Stores and concentrates bile.

What are two roles of the pancreas?

Produces digestive enzymes and endocrine hormones such as insulin and glucagon.

What is the skin's main protective role?

It forms a barrier against injury, fluid loss, and pathogens.

What does anterior mean?

Toward the front of the body.

What does posterior mean?

Toward the back of the body.

What does medial mean?

Toward the midline.

What does lateral mean?

Away from the midline.

What does proximal mean?

Closer to the point of attachment.

What does distal mean?

Farther from the point of attachment.

What does supine mean?

Lying face up.

What does prone mean?

Lying face down.

What does the prefix brady- mean?

Slow.

What does the prefix tachy- mean?

Fast.

What does hypo- mean?

Below, low, or deficient.

What does hyper- mean?

Above, excessive, or high.

What does peri- mean?

Around.

What does intra- mean?

Within.

What does inter- mean?

Between.

What does sub- mean?

Under or below.

What does -itis mean?

Inflammation.

What does -ectomy mean?

Surgical removal.

What does -otomy mean?

Incision into.

What does -ostomy mean?

Surgically created opening.

What does -algia mean?

Pain.

What does -emia mean?

A blood condition.

What does -uria mean?

A urine condition.

What does -megaly mean?

Enlargement.

What does -scopy mean?

Visual examination with a scope.

What does cardi/o mean?

Heart.

What does hemat/o mean?

Blood.

What does nephr/o mean?

Kidney.

What does hepat/o mean?

Liver.

What does pneum/o usually mean?

Lung or air.

How should 0.5 mg be written safely?

With a leading zero: 0.5 mg, never .5 mg.

Why is 5.0 mg unsafe medication notation?

The trailing zero can be misread as 50 mg; write 5 mg.

Why are QD and QOD prohibited abbreviations?

They are easily confused; write daily or every other day.

What is scope of practice?

Tasks legally permitted by state law plus employer policy, training, competency, and provider delegation.

Can an MA independently diagnose a patient?

No.

Can an MA independently change a prescription?

No; obtain authorized provider direction and document it.

What is negligence?

Failure to meet a duty of care that causes harm.

What is malpractice?

Professional negligence.

What is assault in health care?

A threat or act that creates fear of harmful or offensive contact.

What is battery in health care?

Unauthorized touching or a procedure without valid consent.

What is informed consent?

A capable patient voluntarily decides after the authorized provider explains material risks, benefits, alternatives, and refusal.

Does witnessing a consent signature mean the MA provided informed consent?

No. Witnessing verifies the signature/process as allowed; the authorized provider supplies the clinical explanation.

What is an advance directive?

A document stating health-care preferences and/or naming a decision-maker if capacity is lost.

What does durable power of attorney for health care do?

Names a surrogate health-care decision-maker.

What ethical principle means respecting patient choices?

Autonomy.

What ethical principle means acting for the patient's good?

Beneficence.

What ethical principle means avoid causing harm?

Nonmaleficence.

What ethical principle means fairness?

Justice.

What ethical principle means truth-telling?

Veracity.

What does HIPAA minimum necessary mean?

When it applies, limit PHI used, disclosed, or requested to what is reasonably needed for the purpose.

Does HIPAA minimum necessary apply to provider-to-provider disclosures for treatment?

No; treatment disclosures are an exception.

Is a separate HIPAA authorization generally required for treatment, payment, and operations?

Not generally; follow the Privacy Rule and organization policy.

What should an MA do after a suspected privacy breach?

Report it immediately through the organization's privacy/security process; do not hide it.

What is teach-back?

Ask the patient to explain instructions in their own words to check how well you explained.

How should an MA document an angry patient's behavior?

Use objective observations and exact quotes, not judgmental labels.

What is a premium?

The amount paid to maintain insurance coverage.