Clinical Medical Assisting Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering clinical procedures, legal standards, and administrative duties for a medical assistant.

Hematology

The department that performs a Complete Blood Count (CBC).

Ear

The anatomical location where a tympanic temperature is taken.

Brachial

The site used for a pulse when taking blood pressure (BP).

Mask

The type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to use when taking a medical history for a patient with tuberculosis (TB).

Accidental needle sticks

The most common cause of Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposures in healthcare.

Hyperpyrexia

The medical term for a patient having a temperature of $104\,^\circ\text{F}$.

Antimicrobial soap

A requirement for hand asepsis.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

The agency that regulates the controlled substances act.

Abandonment

When a provider withdraws from the care of a patient without reasonable discharge or notice.

Slander

Defamation through a spoken statement.

Basal State

The state of the body when it has had rest and no food for at least $12\,\text{hours}$.

Third party check

A type of payment that can be accepted from a patient only when it is from their insurance.

PPE (Main Purpose)

To protect healthcare workers from bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases.

Good Samaritan law

The law that protects health care workers who give aid during a time of an accident or emergency.

Lavender topped tubes

The type of tube commonly used for Hematology testing.

Antagonist

A drug that prevents the action of another drug.

Immunizations

Medical interventions that provide protection against deadly disease.

Bilirubin

A type of specimen that requires protection from light.

Radiation exposure protocol

A clinical medical assistant should ask a female patient if they might be pregnant before exposing them to radiation.

Privacy regulations

The reason a clinical medical assistant must advise family members that they cannot release patient information without a release form on file.

Day sheet reconciliation

An administrative task that should be performed at the end of each day.

New patient appointment collection

Information, including insurance details, that must be collected before scheduling the appointment or ending the call.

Warm washcloth

Used on the antecubital surface prior to phlebotomy to increase blood flow and visualization of veins.

CDC (Center for Disease Control)

The organization to which notifiable infections must be reported.

OSHA

The organization that published the bloodborne pathogens standard.

$$6\text{-}0$$

The smallest suture size among standard options (where a larger number denotes a smaller size).

Palpation

The method used to check for nodules on a patient's neck.

Phone calls protocol

Identify yourself, pay undivided attention, provide willingness to help, and take clear and concise messages.

Expired Medical Release Form

A situation where a medical assistant must ask the patient to fill out a new form before obtaining lab results from another facility.

Clinical medical assistant attire

Acceptable dress consists of clean scrubs and comfortable shoes.

Demanding patient protocol

Refer a patient who demands to see a physician immediately to the medical office manager.

Sign of infection

A clinical indicator such as a temperature of $101\,^\circ\text{F}$.

CMS 1500

The billing form used for billing at a physician office.