MA Certification 2025

What are analgesics used for?

To relieve pain. Examples: Acetaminophen, hydrocodone, codeine.

What are antacids or anti-ulcer medications used for?

To treat GERD and acid-related disorders. Examples: Esomeprazole, calcium carbonate, famotidine.

What are antibiotics used for?

To treat bacterial infections. Examples: Amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole.

What are anticholinergics used for?

To relieve smooth muscle spasms. Examples: Ipratropium, dicyclomine, hyoscyamine.

What are anticoagulants used for?

To delay blood clotting. Examples: Warfarin, apixaban, heparin, Eliquis.

What are anticonvulsants used for?

To prevent or control seizures. Examples: Clonazepam, phenytoin, gabapentin.

What are antidepressants used for?

To relieve depression. Examples: Doxepin, fluoxetine, selegiline, sertraline, escitalopram

What are antidiarrheals used for?

To reduce diarrhea. Examples: Bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide, diphenoxylate/atropine.

What are antiemetics used for?

To reduce nausea and vomiting. Examples: Ondansetron, metoclopramide

What are antihistamines used for?

To relieve allergy symptoms. Examples: Diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine.

What are antihypertensives used for?

To lower blood pressure. Examples: Metoprolol, lisinopril, valsartan, clonidine.

What are anti-inflammatories used for?

To reduce inflammation. Examples: Ibuprofen, celecoxib, naproxen.

What are antilipemics used for?

To lower cholesterol. Examples: Atorvastatin, fenofibrate, cholestyramine.

What are antimigraine agents used for?

To relieve migraine headaches. Examples: Topiramate, sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan.

What are anti-osteoporosis agents used for?

To improve bone density. Examples: Alendronate, raloxifene, calcitonin.

What are antipsychotics used for?

To treat psychosis. Examples: Quetiapine, haloperidol, risperidone.

What are antipyretics used for?

To reduce fever. Examples: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin.

What are skeletal muscle relaxants used for?

To reduce or prevent muscle spasms. Examples: Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, carisoprodol.

What are antitussives or expectorants used for?

To control cough and promote mucus elimination. Examples: Dextromethorphan, guaifenesin.

What are antivirals used for?

To treat viral infections. Examples: Acyclovir, interferon, oseltamivir.

What are anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications) used for?

To reduce anxiety. Examples: Clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam.

What are bronchodilators used for?

To relax airway muscles and improve breathing. Examples: Albuterol, isoproterenol, theophylline.

What are central nervous system stimulants used for?

To reduce hyperactivity (e.g., ADHD). Examples: Methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine.

What are contraceptives used for?

To prevent pregnancy. Examples: Medroxyprogesterone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone.

What are decongestants used for?

To relieve nasal congestion. Examples: Pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline.

What are diuretics used for?

To eliminate excess body fluid. Examples: Furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, bumetanide.

What are hormone replacements used for?

To stabilize hormone deficiencies. Examples: Levothyroxine, insulin, desmopressin, estrogen.

What are laxatives or stool softeners used for?

To promote bowel movements. Examples: Magnesium hydroxide, bisacodyl, docusate sodium.

What are oral hypoglycemics used for?

To reduce blood glucose levels. Examples: Metformin, glyburide, pioglitazone.

What are sedative hypnotics used for?

To induce sleep and relaxation. Examples: Zolpidem, temazepam, eszopiclone.

What is the Controlled Substances Act?

A federal law that classifies drugs with potential for abuse into schedules I–V based on their medical use and abuse potential.

What are Schedule I substances?

Drugs with a high potential for abuse and no approved medical use in the U.S. Examples: Heroin, mescaline, LSD, and cannabis (federally).

What are Schedule II substances?

Drugs with a high potential for abuse but approved medical use. Examples: Morphine, methadone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, amphetamine.

How must Schedule II substances be stored and prescribed?

Must be stored in a locked safe or steel cabinet and prescriptions must be hand-signed (with limited electronic exceptions).

What are Schedule III substances?

Drugs with moderate to low potential for abuse. Examples: Ketamine, anabolic steroids, acetaminophen with codeine, buprenorphine.

What is the refill rule for Schedule III, IV, and V substances?

They may not be refilled more than five times or filled more than six months after the prescription date.

What are Schedule IV substances?

Drugs with low potential for abuse and dependence. These include tramadol and benzodiazepines including diazepam, alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, and clonazepam.

 

What are Schedule V substances?

Drugs with limited quantities of narcotics, used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes. Examples: Diphenoxylate with atropine, guaifenesin with codeine, pregabalin.

What are therapeutic effects?

The intended beneficial effects of a medication for which it is prescribed.

What are side effects?

Undesirable but often mild unintended actions of a medication, such as nausea or dry mouth.

What are adverse effects?

Harmful or severe unintended reactions, such as allergic responses, that usually require discontinuing the medication.

What are indications?

The specific medical problems or conditions for which a medication is prescribed.

What are contraindications?

Symptoms or conditions that make a particular treatment or medication inadvisable or dangerous. Example: Cirrhosis of the liver is a ____ for acarbose.

What are precautions in medication therapy?

Conditions that pose some risk but can be managed with close monitoring during treatment.

What is the metric prefix "micro-" equal to?

One-millionth (÷ 1,000,000) or 0.000001 of the base unit.

What is the metric prefix "milli-" equal to?

One-thousandth (÷ 1,000) or 0.001 of the base unit.

What is the metric prefix "centi-" equal to?

One-hundredth (÷ 100) or 0.01 of the base unit.

What does "base unit" represent in the metric system?

The standard unit of measurement, equal to 1.

What is the metric prefix "kilo-" equal to?

One thousand times (× 1,000) or 1,000 of the base unit.

What do general practitioners (GPs) do?

They treat acute and chronic illnesses, provide preventive care, and health education with a holistic approach considering biological, psychological, and social aspects.

What do family practitioners specialize in?

Providing care for the entire family across all ages, focusing primarily on preventive care.

What do internists do?

Provide comprehensive care for adults, focusing on chronic conditions, common illnesses, and preventive care.

When is specialty care used?

When a disease or diagnosis is beyond the expertise of a primary care provider (PCP).

What does an allergist treat?

Treats disorders of the immune system, allergic reactions to medications or foods, autoimmune diseases, and asthma.

What does an anesthesiologist do?

These specialists manage pain and administer anesthesia or sedation during surgical procedures.

What does a cardiologist treat?

Treats diseases and conditions of the heart and blood vessels.

What does a dermatologist treat?

Treats disorders of the skin, hair, and nails.

What does an endocrinologist treat?

Treats hormonal and glandular conditions, often including diabetes.

What does a gastroenterologist treat?

Treats diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, colon, etc.).

What does a gynecologist treat?

Treats disorders of the internal reproductive system and fertility issues.

What does a hematologist treat?

Treats blood and blood-producing organ disorders, including anemia, leukemia, and lymphoma.

What does a hepatologist treat?

Treats diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas.

What does a nephrologist treat?

Treats kidney diseases and disorders.

What does an obstetrician do?

These specialists provide care during and after pregnancy.

What does an oncologist treat?

These specialists treat patients who have cancer.

What does an ophthalmologist treat?

Treats diseases and conditions of the eye.

What does an orthopedist treat?

Treats injuries and diseases of the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

What does a neurologist treat?

Treats disorders of the brain and nervous system.

What does an otolaryngologist treat?

Treats diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.

What does a pediatrician do?

These specialists provide medical care for newborns through adolescents.

What does a psychiatrist treat?

Treat mental health disorders and emotional conditions.

What does a radiologist do?

These professionals use imaging (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, CT) to detect abnormalities and assist in diagnosis.

What does a urologist treat?

Treats disorders of the urinary tract.

What does a neonatologist do?

These specialists care for ill or premature newborns

What are ancillary services?

Additional healthcare services such as urgent care, labs, imaging, therapy, etc.

What is urgent care?

An alternative to the emergency department for non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses, offering shorter waits and lower costs.

What are laboratory services?

Facilities that perform diagnostic testing on blood, body fluids, and specimens to assist in diagnosis.

What is diagnostic imaging?

Use of imaging tools like X-ray, MRI, CT, and ultrasound to diagnose medical conditions.

What is occupational therapy?

Helps patients with developmental, emotional, mental, or physical disabilities improve or regain functional abilities.

What is physical therapy?

Helps patients improve mobility, strength, and range of motion after injury, accident, or disease.

What is acupuncture?

A therapy involving inserting thin needles into the skin to relieve pain and treat various conditions.

What is chiropractic medicine?

Treatment focused on pain relief and body function through spinal manipulation and alignment.

What is energy therapy?

A holistic practice using the body’s energy field to promote health, relaxation, and balance.

What are dietary supplements?

Products containing vitamins, minerals, herbs, or botanicals used for nutritional or therapeutic benefits.

What is the Fee-for-Service payment model?

A system where insurance carriers pay providers based on a fee schedule or service benefits for each exam, service, test, or procedure performed.

How are charges determined in a Fee-for-Service model?

Each procedure or service has an associated procedural code and charge sent to insurance or directly to the patient.

What is the main benefit of Fee-for-Service?

Patients pay only for the services they use.

What is a risk of the Fee-for-Service model?

It can lead to unnecessary visits, tests, and procedures motivated by profit.

What are the four main goals of Value-Based Plans?

Improved patient outcomes, improved patient satisfaction, lower costs, and healthcare professional well-being.

How do Value-Based Plans differ from Fee-for-Service?

They use a holistic approach that emphasizes prevention and early intervention rather than billing per service.

What is Managed Care?

An umbrella term for plans that provide healthcare through preset payments and coordinated care within a defined provider network.

What is Capitation?

A payment model where providers receive a per-member, per-month rate based on patient demographics and health factors, regardless of service frequency.

What is the incentive under Capitation models?

Providers are encouraged to help patients avoid costly procedures and tests to maximize compensation.

What is a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)?

A plan that contracts with specific providers for preventive and acute care, often requiring referrals and preauthorization for certain services.

What is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)?

A flexible plan allowing patients to see any provider, with lower costs for in-network care and no requirement for referrals.

What is a Point of Service (POS) plan?

A flexible plan where patients can self-refer to specialists; costs depend on whether care is in- or out-of-network.

How does a POS plan compare to a PPO?

Both allow self-referral and out-of-network care, but POS may still encourage coordination through a primary care structure.

What are primary care clinics?

These clinics are outpatient care settings where patients are seen for routine visits and minor acute needs.

What are specialty care clinics?

These clinics are outpatient facilities where patients with complex or severe diseases are seen by doctors who specialize in specific conditions.

What is home health care?

This type of care is care provided to patients who cannot easily leave their homes; includes physical, occupational, and speech therapy.