patient preparation, Assisting with: Retrodictive and Ordinary Specialties, Pediatrics, and Geriatrics

week 6

Sign

objective information detected by the physician (e.g. vital signs and lab work)

Symptom

subjective information supplied by the patient (chief complaint)

Differential diagnosis

determining the correct diagnosis when two or more are possible

Prognosis

probable course and outcome of the disorder and the possibility of recovery

Role of medical assistant

assist the licensed practitioner and the patient

Sitting position

best for knee reflexes, listening to the lungs, and apical pulse

Supine position

lying flat on the back with arms at the side (best for EKG, abdominal exam, exams involving the front of body, and administering CPR)

Prone position

lying flat on the abdomen with arms above head (best for back procedures, exams involving the back of body, and examining the bottom of feet; this position cannot be used during pregnancy)

Fowler’s position

sitting with back of exam table at 90 degrees (best for exams of the eye, ear, nose, throat, and chest)

Semi-Fowler’s position

seating, leaning against exam table at 45 degrees (best for EKG, chest exams, patients experiencing shortness of breath (COPD, CHF), ear leverage)

Dorsal recumbent position

lying flat in back with knees bent ( best for EKG, abdominal exam, catheterizations, genital exam for younger children)

Knee-chest position

prone and bent at the waist, resting on knees, with arms above head (best for gynecologist and rectal exams, treatment of spinal adjustment, and enema)

Lithotomy positition

lying flat on the table with buttocks at the end, feet resting in stirrups (best for female pelvic exams)

Sims position

lying on the left side, left leg slightly flexed, right leg flexed at 90 degrees (best for exams involving rectum)

Jack-knife (proctology) position

lying over exam table that is lifted in the middle (best for rectal exams and sigmoidoscopy)

Trendelenburg position

legs elevated above head to force circulation to vital organs (best for shock)

Inspection

visual exam

Auscultation

listening to body sounds

Palpation

touch

Percussion

tapping or striking the body to hear sounds or feel vibrations

Mensuration

process of measuring

Manipulation

moving of patients body parts to check range of motion of joints

Gynecology

care of the female reproductive system

Menstruation

the process of discharging blood from the lining of the uterus (age 10-15)

Menopause

cessation of the menstrual cycle (age 45-55)

Vaginal speculum

tool used during pap smear or to examine inside the vagina

Obstertrics

the study of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum

HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)

the hormone that is look for to determine if pregnant

OB/GYN biopsy

tissue from the lining of uterus is removed and examined under a microscope for cancer and other cell irregularities

OB/GYN colpocopy

so doctor can see the surface of the cervix close if pap test shows abnormal cells

Amniocentesis

needle inserted through the lower abdominal wall to obtain fetal skin cells to examine for chromosomal abnormalities

D+C

dilation of the cervix and scrapping the uterine lining to diagnose and treat uterine conditions and clear after a miscarriage or abortion

Hysterectomy

removal of the uterus

Hysteroxalpingectomy

removal of the uterus and fallopian tubes

Hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy

removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries

Urology

focuses on surgical and medical disease of the male and female urinary tract system and the male reproductive organs

Pyelography

x-ray of the kidney area with an iodine-based contrast agent (used to diagnose renal disorder)

Urine test

urinalysis (most common test done for urology)

Semen analysis

determine fertility and evaluate success of vasectomy

Smears

to diagnose infection

Ectopic pregnancy

fertilized egg unable to move out of fallopian tube into uterus for implantation

Fibrocystic breast disease

benign, fluid filled cysts or nodules in breast

Ovarian cysts

sacs of fluid or semisolid material (usually benign)

Amenorrhea

absence of menstruation

Dysmenorrhea

painful menstrual period

Metrorrhagia

heavy prolonged menstrual bleeding

Impotence

inability to achieve or to maintain an erection

Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis)

chemical substance in the urine from crystals in the kidney, ureter, or bladder

Pediatrics

specialist for children up to the age of 18, some cases 21

Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development

guidelines for identifying psychosocial challenges (8 stages)

Erikson’s stages: Birth to 18 months

Trust and mistrust

Erikson’s stages: ages 2-3

autonomy and shame/doubt

Erikson’s stages: Ages 3-6

Initiative and guilt

Erikson’s stages: ages 7-12

Industry and inferiority

Erikson’s stages: ages 12-20

Identity and Role confusion

Erikson’s stages: ages 20-35

intimacy and isolation

Erikson’s stages: ages 35-65

Generality and stagnation

Erikson’s stages: ages 65 and older

ego integrity and despair

Well child examination for infants

(7 check ups)

2 weeks, 1 month, 2 month, 4 month, 6 month, 9 month, 1 year

Well child examination 1+

15 and 18 month, 24 and 30 months, annually after 3 years old

Taking temperature for children under the age of 5

Use tympanic temporal, rectal, axillary (do not use oral)

A crying child can cause temperature to become elevated

Pulse for infants

use Apical

Failure to thrive

infants or a child below the 3rd percentile on standardized growth charts

Snellen

big E chart or symbols for eye exam

Informed consent

explain the side effects of immunizations, review with the parent the vaccine information statement, advice parents of benefits of immunity, obtain informed consent for the child immunization (if patent refuses; document and dispose of vaccines)

Document vaccines

by type, manufactures, and lot number

Otitis Media

middle ear infection

Bronchitis

airways in the lung swell and produce mucus in the longs (viral)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

mild cold like symptoms including fever, coughing, runny nose, and sneezing (can result in pneumonia)

Hand, foot, mouth disease (HMFD)

very contagious; symptoms include skin rash, fever, mouth, sores, and flu like symptoms

Conjunctivitis

pink eye

Gastroenteritis

stomach flu (viral)

Sinusitis

sinus infection

Strep throat

caused by bacteria called streptococcus pyogenes that cayuse sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils, and stomach pain

Impetigo

bacterial akin infection with crusting

Ringworm

fungal skin infection

Anorexia nervosa

starving oneself by not eating

Bulimia nervosa

a pattern of binge eating and purging

Geriatrics

field of medicine concerned with the problems of aging (65+)

Osteoporosis

weakened bones

Osteoathritis

degenerative joint disease

Kyphosis

hunched back

Arteriosclerosis

narrowing of the arteries

Presbyopia

impaired vision related to aging

Presbycusis

impaired hearing related to aging

Atherosclerosis

build up of fat and cholesterol on artery walls

Hypertension

high blood pressure

Hypotension

low blood pressure

Myocardial infarction

heart attack

Stroke

blood flow to brain is interrupted

Syncope

fainting or passing out

Hyperlipidemia

high cholesterol and triglycerides

To reduce risk of drug-drug interactions

obtain an accurate list of current medication at every visit