CCA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CCA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A color metamerism problem occurs when a prosthesis appears well-matched in the clinic but mismatches in outdoor light. This is corrected by: → Checking and adjusting color match under multiple light sources during fabrication
2. A prosthesis appears orange-toned in fluorescent office lighting but matches skin in natural daylight. What phenomenon explains this? → Metamerism
3. The subnasale landmark, used in nasal prosthetic margin design, is defined as: → The midpoint of the base of the nasal septum where it meets the upper lip
4. When a patient reports a clicking sound from their bar-clip retained auricular prosthesis during jaw opening, the anaplastologist should FIRST: → Inspect and replace worn nylon clips within the prosthesis
5. How frequently does a silicone facial prosthesis typically require replacement in clinical practice? → Every 1–2 years
6. Intrinsic colorants in medical-grade silicone prostheses must be: → Non-leaching, biocompatible pigments
7. In the Kubelka-Munk theory applied to prosthetic color matching, what do the K and S coefficients represent? → Absorption coefficient (K) and scattering coefficient (S) of the colorant layer
8. What is the recommended frequency for removing and reapplying an adhesive-retained facial prosthesis to maintain skin health? → Daily, or as clinically directed
9. A patient's insurance denies coverage for a needed prosthesis. What is the anaplastologist's ethical responsibility? → Assist the patient in understanding appeals options and alternative resources
10. Which of the following materials is best suited for lightweight cranial prosthetics? → Acrylic resin
11. How should a patient with radiation-damaged peri-orbital skin be counseled regarding adhesive retention for an orbital prosthesis? → Use the gentlest compatible adhesive with careful daily monitoring for skin breakdown
12. How frequently must prosthetic gloves be replaced during anaplastology fabrication sessions? → Between each patient and whenever contamination occurs
13. When the anaplastologist describes the helix of the auricle, they are referring to: → The curved outer cartilaginous rim of the auricle from the helix root to the tail
14. Which infection control standard applies to ALL patients regardless of known infection status in anaplastology practice? → Standard precautions
15. What is the primary purpose of barrier precautions during prosthetic fabrication? → To prevent cross-contamination between patient and practitioner
16. Which type of magnet coupling system is most commonly used in implant-retained auricular prosthetics due to its corrosion resistance and field strength? → Neodymium iron boron magnets with gold alloy keeper
17. Which practice best supports cultural competence when treating patients from diverse backgrounds? → Asking about cultural, religious, and personal preferences that may affect treatment
18. A patient with a silicone nasal prosthesis reports yellowing of the device after 8 months. The most likely cause is: → UV degradation and oxidative aging of the silicone polymer
19. In prosthetic eye fabrication, which material is typically used for the scleral shell? → Heat-cured polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
20. Which retention alternative is MOST appropriate for a patient with documented severe contact allergy to all tested medical-grade adhesives? → Osseointegrated implant-retained magnetic or bar-clip system
21. When a pediatric patient requires an orbital prosthesis, who must provide informed consent for treatment? → A parent or legal guardian
22. A pressure pot is used during silicone processing primarily to: → Compress air bubbles introduced during mixing so they become microscopic and invisible
23. The extrinsic coloring of a silicone prosthesis is MOST vulnerable to which degradation factor? → Mechanical abrasion and cleaning friction over time
24. When color-matching a facial prosthesis under natural daylight conditions, which phenomenon must the anaplastologist account for? → Metameric mismatch (metamerism)
25. Which impression technique is preferred for capturing a deep orbital exenteration defect with significant undercuts? → Sectional or staged polyvinyl siloxane impression
26. What documentation should be maintained during patient care? → Comprehensive clinical records
27. Which adhesive is preferred for silicone facial prostheses because it is water-resistant and skin-safe? → Medical-grade silicone adhesive
28. During a prosthesis delivery appointment, the anaplastologist instructs the patient to avoid alcohol-based cleansers on the silicone primarily because: → Repeated alcohol exposure degrades silicone and dissolves extrinsic surface paints
29. What is the recommended skin preparation sequence BEFORE applying medical-grade adhesive for a facial prosthesis? → Cleanse with soap and water, rinse thoroughly, then degrease with isopropyl alcohol
30. During the flasking and packing of a silicone auricular prosthesis, flash overflow between mold halves should be: → Removed before final closure to prevent thin margins