SkillsUSA Medical Assisting

Cells

The basic unit of life; responsible for carrying out functions such as energy production and waste elimination.

Tissues

Groups of similar cells performing a function (e.g., epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).

Organs

Structures composed of different tissues that perform specific functions (e.g., heart, lungs, liver).

Organ Systems

Groups of organs working together (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive).

Skeletal System

Supports the body, protects organs, enables movement, and produces blood cells.

Muscular System

Allows movement, maintains posture, and generates heat.

Nervous System

Coordinates body activities, responds to stimuli, and processes information.

Respiratory System

Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out).

Cardiovascular System

Pumps blood, delivers oxygen and nutrients, and removes waste.

Digestive System

Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.

Endocrine System

Produces hormones that regulate body processes.

Urinary System

Eliminates waste, and regulates water and electrolyte balance.

Reproductive System

Produces gametes (sperm and egg), and supports fetal development (female).

Lymphatic/Immune System

Protects against infection, and maintains fluid balance.

Physiological Needs

Oxygen, food, water, sleep, elimination, shelter.

Safety Needs

Security, stability, protection from harm, access to healthcare.

Love & Belonging Needs

Social interactions, emotional support, acceptance.

Esteem Needs

Confidence, achievement, respect from others.

Self-Actualization

Personal growth, self-fulfillment.

Carbohydrates

Primary energy source (e.g., grains, fruits, vegetables).

Proteins

Build and repair tissues (e.g., meat, beans, dairy).

Fats

Store energy, protect organs, assist with vitamin absorption (e.g., oils, nuts, fish).

Vitamins

Support body functions (e.g., Vitamin C for immunity, Vitamin D for bones).

Minerals

Essential for body processes (e.g., calcium for bones, iron for oxygen transport).

Water

Regulates body temperature, aids digestion, and transports nutrients.

Diabetes Diet

Low-sugar, high-fiber diet with complex carbs.

Hypertension Diet

Low-sodium, heart-healthy diet (e.g., DASH diet).

Celiac Disease Diet

Gluten-free diet.

Kidney Disease Diet

Low-protein, low-sodium diet with fluid restrictions.

HIPAA Privacy Rule

Protects patient health information.

HIPAA Security Rule

Ensures confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI).

HIPAA Breach Notification Rule

Mandates notification of breaches to individuals and authorities.

Standard Precautions

Treat all bodily fluids as potentially infectious.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Gloves, masks, gowns, eye protection.

Handwashing

Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds or alcohol-based sanitizer.

Sterile Field

Area free of microorganisms; only sterile items allowed.

Capillary Blood Specimen

Collected via fingerstick (adults) or heelstick (infants) for small blood tests.

Hematocrit Test

Measures percentage of red blood cells in blood after centrifugation.

Hemoglobin Test

Measures oxygen-carrying protein in RBCs (normal: 12–16 g/dL females, 14–18 males).

Order of Draw

1. Blood culture → 2. Light blue (citrate) → 3. Red → 4. Gold (SST) → 5. Green (heparin) → 6. Lavender (EDTA) → 7. Gray (fluoride).

Seven Rights of Medication

Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, technique, documentation.

PO (Oral Medication)

By mouth (e.g., pills, liquids).

Topical Medication

Applied to skin (e.g., creams, ointments).

Transdermal Medication

Delivered via patch (e.g., nicotine, pain patches).

CPR (Adult)

30 chest compressions : 2 rescue breaths.

First Aid for Seizures

Protect head, do not restrain, time the episode.

Insulin Shock Treatment

Administer fast-acting sugar (e.g., juice, glucose gel).

Clean Catch Urine

Midstream collection to avoid genital contamination.

Pap Smear

Cervical cell collection to screen for cancer/HPV.

Strep Test

Throat swab to detect Group A Streptococcus.

ICD-10 Coding

Diagnosis codes (e.g., E11.9 for diabetes).

CPT Coding

Procedure codes (e.g., 99213 for office visit).

SOAP Documentation

Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan.

Supine Position

Lying flat on back.

Fowler’s Position

Seated upright at 45–90 degrees.

Lithotomy Position

Legs in stirrups for pelvic exams.