CCMA Certification Exam Study

Specifically Difficult Concepts

atrial depolarization (contraction)

p wave

ventricular depolarization (contraction)

QRS wave complex

atrial depolarization (contraction)

p wave

ventricular depolarization (contraction)

QRS wave complex

ventricular repolarization (relaxation)

t wave

often not seen on an EKG, further repolarization of ventricles

u wave

two upper chambers of heart

atria

two lower chambers of heart

ventricles

similar patients grouped for appointments (ex: all immunizations booked on Wednesday afternoons each week)

cluster scheduling

patients are seen in the order of arrival during set hours, no scheduled appointments, also known as “first come, first served” or “walk-in clinic”

open hours

two patients are assigned the same time slot

double-booking

multiple patients are booked at one time (a “wave” of patients), seen in order of arrival

wave scheduling

more patients are scheduled at beginning of a wave, fewer patients are scheduled towards the end of a wave

modified wave scheduling

patients are assigned individual appointment times at set intervals

stream scheduling (time-specific scheduling)

In the EHR, chief complaint, history of present illness, review of systems, allergies, and medications reported by patient belong in what section?

subjective

In the EHR, vital signs, lab results, imaging results, and other diagnostic data, as well as medications verified by provider belong in what section?

objective

In the EHR, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and summary of patient’s health status belong in what section? This is also the provider’s interpretation of the patient’s condition, based on the subjective and objective information.

assessment

In the EHR, medication orders, treatment plan, referrals, and follow-ups belong in what section?

plan

When opening a sterile pack, the final flap should be opened ____ the body to maintain sterility.

towardthe body to maintain a sterile field.

In proper sterile pack flap opening, the first flap should be opened _____ the body, and the final flap should be ____ the body

away from; towards

In a sterile field, there is a ___-inch margin around the edge of the drape of the sterile field that is considered unsterile.

1

position involving the patient lying on their back with their feet supported by stirrups. Often used for pelvic exams and Pap smears

lithotomy

position where the head and upper body are elevated at an angle of 15-45 degrees (30 is common). this position is used for patients who need to be elevated for comfort or who have some difficulty breathing.

semi-fowler’s

position that refers to a bed that is elevated to an angle of 90 degrees (the patient is seated fully upright). this position is often used for patients who are having significant trouble with breathing, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

(high) fowler’s

formerly referred to as the Sims’ position; the patient is lying on the left side, the left hip and left leg are straight, and the right hip and right knee are bent. this position is often used for rectal exams.

left lateral position

position involving the patient lying on their back with their arms by their sides. this position is often used for general exams or procedures.

supine

health insurance plan that requires a patient choosing a primary care physician and receives referrals for specialist care, but generally has lower out-of-pocket costs.

HMO (health maintenance organizations)

health insurance plan that offers more flexibility in choosing healthcare providers (can see providers out of network if wanted), but may come with higher out-of-pocket costs.

PPO (preferred provider organization)

a network of healthcare providers that work together to coordinate and provide care to patients with a focus on improving the quality of care and reducing healthcare costs through coordinated and preventive care.

ACO (Accountable Care Organization)

health insurance plan that is similar to an HMO, but allows patients to see out-of-network providers for a higher cost. it also requires a primary care physician and referrals to specialists.

POS (point of service)

symptoms: shortness of breath, fluid in lungs and swelling of abdomen, fatigue, heart pumps blood weakly, and swelling of ankles and legs

diagnosis: ____

congestive heart failure (CHF)

the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs (the heart pumps too weakly).

CHF (congestive heart failure)

location: 4th intercostal space, right sternal edge

lead: ____

V1

location: 4th intercostal space, left sternal edge

lead: ____

V2

location: midway between V2 and V4

lead: ____

V3

location: 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line

lead: ____

V4

location: left anterior axillary line, horizontal to V4

lead: ____

V5

location: left mid-axillary line, horizontal to V4

lead: ____

V6

ideal position for a patient who is at risk for or is in syncope; position that is on back with feet elevated

trendelenburg

symptoms: fatigue, blurring of vision, dry skin, sweating, polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria

diagnosis: ____

hyperglycemia

symptoms: sweating, trembling, irritability, fatigue, tachycardia, dizziness

diagnosis: ____

hypoglycemia

correct order of draw for venipuncture

yellow, light blue, red, gold/tiger, green, lavender, gray

mnemonic for order of blood draw for venipuncture

young lady bell rarely gets to greet lucy gray

ac

before meals

pc

after meals

po

(medications administered) by mouth

prn

as needed

symptoms: excessive fear of gaining weight, distorted body image, self starvation, preoccupation with food and weight, irregular or absent menstrual cycle, excessive exercise

diagnosis: _____

anorexia

symptoms: binge eating, purging (vomiting, laxative abuse), secretive behavior around food, erosion of enamel of teeth, swollen cheeks, calluses on knuckles, excessive fear of gaining weight, distorted body image

diagnosis: _____

bulimia

laxative abuse is a common purging behavior in individuals with _____

bulimia nervosa

self-starvation is a hallmark symptom of _____

anorexia nervosa

an enlarged thyroid gland is a sign of ___ which can occur in hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

goiter

enlarged cheeks are a common sign of _____

bulimia

ritualistic behavior is prevalent in individuals with ____

anorexia

also known as 60-cycle interference. this occurs when there is electrical interference from other electrical equipment in the exam room, the patient is too close to the wall (where electrical runs through), or there is no proper grounding of the right leg electrode. may see a consistent thick and fuzzy tracing

AC interference

this occurs when the patient is moving. both voluntary movement or involuntary movement can lead to a somatic tremor artifact. may see jagged peaks with irregular height and spacing.

somatic tremor artifact

this is caused by movement associated with breathing, a poorly attached electrode, defective electrodes, wire issues, electrodes applied too loosely, dirty leads, poor gel paste, unclean skin, or anything that interferes with electrical impulse transmission. may see tracing that wanders away from the center of the paper.

wandering baseline

can be caused by a disconnected electrode. may be seen as a sudden disruption of tracing.

interrupted baseline

another term for a stroke

cerebrovascular accident

another term for a heart attack

myocardial infarction

removes organic material from items and reduces the number of microorganisms to a safer level

sanitization

kills or eliminates most pathogenic organisms, but it does not kill all forms of life, and it does not destroy spores

disinfection

completely destroys all forms of life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores

sterilization

running instruments under water and scrubbing is one method of performing ____.

sanitization

UV radiation can be used as a ______ method, though it is less common than using an autoclave.

sterilization

____ is a chemical that kills most harmful microorganisms (not including bacterial spores), and is used as a disinfection method.

alcohol

autoclaving is a ____ method that uses high-pressure steam to kill all microorganisms (including bacterial spores) present on instruments.

sterilization

____ is performed after sanization.

sterilization

minimum temperature for an autoclave

121 degrees Celsius, 250 degrees Fahrenheit

symptom management for serious but not life-threatening illnesses (for example, chronic back pain). provides comfort and quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.

palliative care

symptom management for terminal illnesses (for example, a cancer that will eventually kill someone). provides comfort and quality of life for terminal end-of-life patients.

hospice care

wait ___ minutes to detect any allergic reactions after injecting.

15-20

intradermal injections are administered at a ____ degree angle and the solution is injected slowly.

5-15

wrap a tourniquet _____ inches above the venipuncture site

3-4

a tourniquet should be removed within ____ minute of being applied.

1

mnemonic for chain of infection

I remember exiting today entering home

Chain of infection

infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host

blood pressure: less than 90/60 mmHg

hypotension

blood pressure: 90-119 / 60-79 mmHg

normal blood pressure

blood pressure: 120-129 / less than 80 mmHg

elevated blood pressure

blood pressure: 130-139 / 80-89 mmHg

stage 1 hypertension

blood pressure: 140 or higher / 90 or higher mmHg

stage 2 hypertension

blood pressure: higher than 180 / higher than 120 mmHg

hypertensive crisis

123/85 mmHg

stage I hypertension

135/95 mmHg

stage II hypertension

127/79 mmHg

elevated blood pressure

151/92 mmHg

stage II hypertension

the middle or ring finger on the nondominant hand is used for _____ puncture.

capillary

when measuring respiratory rate, count the breaths for ___ seconds and multiply by ___.

30; 2

nosebleed medical term

epistaxis

nonliving objects or surfaces that can harbor infectious agents and potentially facilitate transmission. here, the medical assistant has touched a contaminated surface and then introducing the virus into his respiratory tract through the nose or mouth.

fomites

living organisms, such as mosquitoes or ticks, that can transmit pathogens from one host to another. example: malaria

vectors

___ hands and fingers cause blood vessel constriction, which results in reduced perfusion and inaccurate measurements

cold

normal oxygen saturation levels range from ____%

95-100

a lack of blood flow to a particular body part or organ. this can occur when the blood vessels that supply blood to the area become narrowed or blocked.

ischemia

nearsightedness; difficulty seeing objects that are far away, but can see objects that are close up clearly

myopia

the kidneys play a crucial role in the ____ of drugs from the body

excretion

autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells

type I diabetes

diabetes related to lifestyle factors including obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise

type II

letter style that has all text left aligned, no salutation (subject line is put in its place in ALL CAPS), and no complementary closing and no-hand written signature (type the sender’s name in ALL CAPS)

simplified style

fluctuating fever temperature that does not return to normal

remittent

fever spikes between periods of normal temperature

intermittent