NHA CCMA Certification Exam

adverse reactions

unwanted or undesired effects that are possibly related to taking a medication, usually secondary to the main effect of the medication

capitation

a managed care method of monthly payments to the provider based on the number of enrolled patients, regardless of how many encounters a patient may have during the month

certification

verification by an outside agency that an employer is following established guidelines and standards of care and providing the highest quality of care for their patients

Controlled Substances Act

statute that identifies all regulated substances into one of five schedules depending on potential for abuse

fee for service

system used by private insurance companies and not-for-profits in which insurance carriers determine the allowed charge either by a fee schedule or through service benefits that define covered services but not necessarily the exact payments

health maintenance organization (HMO)

medical insurance group that provides coverage of health care services for a period of time and a fixed annual fee

managed care

system used by private and public insurance plans that controls health care cost and improves preventative care for its patients by having contracts with providers and medical organizations

3 types of managed care plans

• health maintenance organization (HMO)

• preferred provider organization (PPO)

• point of service (POS)

nutrition

field of study focused on food and the substances in food that help people grow, recover from illnesses, and stay healthy

patient-centered medical home (PCMH)

a partnership between a patient and their care team in which total health is the focus and not just a single condition

health care team positions

• provider (physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant)

• CMAA

• CCMA

• nurses

• pharmacist

Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR)

reference book that provides a guide to prescription medication information

point of service (POS)

type of managed care health insurance plan that is based on lower medical costs in exchange for more limited choice

preferred provider organization (PPO)

a network of physicians, other health care practitioners, and hospitals that have joined together to contract with insurance companies, employers, or other organizations to provide health care to subscribers for a discounted fee

scope of practice

specific set of standards that a medical professional may perform within the limits of the medical license, registration, and/or certification

side effects

secondary reactions to the one intended

telehealth

the virtual delivery of health care services remotely

therapeutic effects

the helpful effect that the provider is hoping will help the patient feel better

value-based plan

insurance coverage that changes the amount of reimbursement based on health outcomes of patients and the quality of the service they received

administrative duties

• scheduling patient appointments

• patient registration

• updating and working in patient records

• sending claims to insurance

• collecting patient responsibility amounts

clinical duties

• collecting and processing lab specimens

• performing diagnostic testing

• preparing and cleaning exam room

• preparing the patient for evaluation and procedure

• measuring vital signs

• preparing medications and administering immunizations

MA scope of practice

MA works under the supervision of the provider and performs tasks allowed by state and provider approval; does not include the practice of medicine

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Holistic approach to medicine; training on osteopathic manipulative treatment

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Scientific focus on diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions

endorsement

the process of a state/territory granting a license to an applicant who is licensed in good standing at the equivalent designation in another jurisdiction

reciprocity

agreement of arrangement that allows resident licensees of one reciprocal state to obtain a license in another reciprocal state

pros and cons of fee for service model

pros:

• patients only pay for services they use

cons:

• can lead to unnecessary visits, tests, and procedures for the profit of those providing care

goals of value-based care

• improved patient outcomes

• improved patient satisfaction

• lower cost

• health care professional well-being

general practitioners (GPs)

medical doctors who treat acute and chronic illnesses and provide patients with preventive care and health education; take a holistic approach to general practice

analgesics

relieve pain
ex. acetaminophen, hydrocodone, codeine

antacids/anti-ulcer

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
ex. esomeprazole, calcium carbonate, famotidine

antibiotics

bacterial infections

ex. amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole

anticholinergics

smooth muscle spasms

ex. ipratropium, dicyclomine, hyoscyamine

anticoagulants

delay blood clotting

ex. warfarin, apixaban, heparin

anticonvulsants

prevent or control seizures

ex. clonazepam, phenytoin, gabapentin

antidepressants

relieve depression

ex. doxepin, fluoxetine, duloxetine, selegiline

antidiarrheals

reduce diarrhea

ex. bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide

antiemetics

reduce nausea, vomiting

ex. metoclopramide, ondansetron

antifungals

fungal infections

ex. fluconazole, nystatin, miconazole

antihistamines

relieve allergies

ex. diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine

antihypertensives

lower blood pressure

ex. metoprolol, lisinopril, valsartan, clonidine

anti-inflammatories

reduce inflammation

ex. ibuprofen, celecoxib, naproxen

antilipemics

lower cholesterol

ex. atorvastatin, fenofibrate, cholestyramine

antimigraine agents

relieve migraine headaches

ex. topiramate, sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan

anti-osteoporosis agents

improve bone density

ex. alendronate, raloxifene, calcitonin

antipsychotics

psychosis

ex. quetiapine, haloperidol, risperidone

antipyretics

reduce fever

ex. acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin

skeletal/muscle relaxants

reduce or prevent muscle spasms

ex. cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, carisoprodol

antitussives/expectorants

control cough, promote the elimination of mucus

ex. dextromethorphan, codeine, guaifenesin

antivirals

viral infections

ex. acyclovir, interferon, oseltamivir

anxiolytics

reduce anxiety

ex. clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam

bronchodilators

relax airway muscles

ex. albuterol, isoproterenol, theophylline

central nervous system stimulants

reduce hyperactivity

ex. methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine

contraceptives

prevent pregnancy

ex. medroxyprogesterone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone

decongestants

relieve nasal congestion

ex. pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline

diuretics

eliminate excess fluid

ex. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, bumetanide

hormone replacements

stabilize hormone deficiencies

ex. levothyroxine, insulin, desmopressin, estrogen

laxatives, stool softeners

promote bowel movements

ex. magnesium hydroxide, bisacodyl, docusate sodium

oral hypoglycemics

reduce blood glucose

ex. metformin, glyburide, pioglitazone

sedative-hypnotics

induce sleep/relaxation

ex. zolpidem, temazepam, eszopiclone

Schedule I

substances with a high potential for abuse and currently no approved medical use in the U.S

ex. heroin, mescaline, LSD, cannabis (marijuana)

Schedule II

substances that have a high potential for abuse, are considered dangerous, and can lead to psychological and physical dependence

ex. morphine, methadone, oxycodone, fentanyl, amphetamine

Schedule III

substances with moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence

ex. ketamine, anabolic steroids, acetaminophen with codeine

Schedule IV

substances that have a low potential for abuse and dependence

ex. tramadol, benzodiazepines

Schedule V

substances that contain limited quantities of some narcotics

ex. diphenoxylate with atropine, guaifenesin with codeine

indications

problems for which the provider prescribes a particular medication

contraindications

symptoms or conditions that make a specific treatment or medication inadvisable or even dangerous

four actions of pharmacokinetics

absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion

absorption

the body converts the medication into a form the body can use and moves it into the bloodstream

factors that affect absorption

route, fat solubility, surface area, food

distribution

transportation of medication throughout the body; blood stream carries the medication to the body’s tissues and organs

metabolism

changes active forms of the medication into harmless metabolites ready for excretion through urine or feces; primary organ is liver, but sometimes kidneys

factors affecting metabolism

patient’s age, how many medications they take, the health of various organs and tissues, genetic makeup

excretion

removal of a medication’s metabolites from the body through urine, feces, saliva, bile, sweat glands, breast milk, or exhaled air

rights of medication administration

collection of safety checks that everyone who administers medications to patients must perform to avoid medication errors; right patient, medication, dose, time, route, technique, documentation

angles of insertion for injections

intramuscular: 90 degrees

subcutaneous: 45 degrees

intradermal: 10-15 degrees

functions of water

transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, helping remove waste, regulating body temperature through perspiration, providing basic component of blood and other bodily fluids

protein

large, complex molecules the body makes from amino acids; contribute to body structure, fluid balance, and creation of transport molecules

carbohydrates

organic compounds that combine carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into sugar molecules and come primarily from plant sources; used primarily for energy for cells and their functions

fats

highly concentrated source of energy the body can use as backup for available glucose; provide structure for cell membranes, promote growth in children, maintain healthy skin, assist with protein functions, help form various hormone-like substances

unsaturated fatty acids

oils; less dense and heavy; less potential for raising cholesterol levels; double bonds

trans fat

fatty acid used to preserve processed food products; byproduct of solidifying polyunsaturated oils and raises LDL cholesterol levels

saturated fatty acids

solid at room temperature; primarily from meat products, palm and coconut oil; also raises LDL

vitamins

organic substances the body needs for various cellular functions

solubility of vitamins

fat soluble: A, D, E, K

water-soluble: B1, B2, B3, B6, folate, B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, C

minerals

inorganic substances the body needs in small quantities for building and maintaining body structures

vitamin A

night vision, cell growth and maintenance, health of the skin

vitamin D

calcium absorption, bone and tooth health, heart and nerve function

vitamin E

protection of cells, formation of blood cells

vitamin K

blood clotting, bone growth

vitamin B1

carbohydrate metabolism, heart, nerve, and muscle function

vitamin B2

fat and protein metabolism

vitamin B3

carbohydrate and fat metabolism

vitamin B6

enzyme assistance in the amino acid synthesis

vitamin B12

protein and fat metabolism, nerve-cell maintenance, cell development

vitamin C

immunity, iron absorption, structure of bones, muscle, and blood vessels

St. John’s wort

treatment for depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders

black cohosh

relief of menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, heart palpitations, and mood changes

melatonin

naturally occurring hormone in the brain; can be taken as a supplement to potentially help with sleep regulation

willow bark

pain relief; source of one of the main ingredients of aspirin