HOSA Medical Assisting

tissue forceps

an instrument with one or more fine points at the tips of blades; used to grasp tissue

towel clamps

instruments with pointed ends that lock together; used to attatch surgical drapes to each other and/or clamp dissected tissue

Sim’s

patient lies on left side with right leg bent up near the abdomen

dorsal recumbent

patient lies on back with kneews flexed and seperated; used for vaginal and pelvic exams

knee-chest

patient rest body weight on knees and chest; used for sigmoidoscope and rectal exams

Fowler’s

patient lies on back with head elevated at an angle

supine (horizontal recumbent) position

patient lies flat on back, hands at sides and legs outstretched

lithotomy

the patient lies on back with feet in stirrups and knees flexed and seperated

proctologic (jackknife)

patient lies on stomach with the head and legs inclined downward and rectal area elevated

opthalmoscope

instrument used to examine the retina of the eye

ayer blade/cervical spatula

wood/plastic blade used to scrape cells from the cervix of the uterus, used for pap tests

needle holder

instrument to hold/support a needle while sutures are being inserted

otoscope

instrument to examine the ear

snellen charts

special charts that use letters/symbols in calibrated heights to check visual acuity

physician’s desk reference

reference book that contains essential information on medications

sphygmomanometer

instrument that measures blood pressure in mm of mercury (mmHg)

palpation

the acto of using hands to feel body parts during an exam

percussion

process of tapping various body parts during an exam

sigmoidoscope

instrument that examines the sigmoid, or S-shaped, section of the large intestine

leads

angles/views of the heart that is recorded in an electrocardiogram

suture removal set

set of instruments, including suture scissors and thumb forceps, used to remove sutures

papanicolaou

aka Pap test; a test to clarify abnormal cells obtained from the vagina/cervix

tuning fork

instrument with two prongs and is used to test hearing acuity

visual acuity

ability to perceive and comprehend light rays, seeing

sutures

surgical stitch used to join the edges of an incision or wound; also an area where bones fuse together

hyperopia

farsighted; defect in near vision

splinter forceps

instruments with sharp points used to remove splinters and foreign objects from the skin or tissues

stethoscope

instrument that listens to internal body sounds

civil law

dealing with legal relations (including healthcare)

stages of grief

1. denial
2. anger
3. bargaining
4. depression
5. acceptance

payroll

whatever gets held from your check, # of exemptons and deductions

afebrile

abscence of fever

contusion

bruise (blood under skin)

patient demographic

public info, age, SSN, address

coding systems are ALWAYS

alpha-numeric based

ICD books are used for

diagnosis

CPT books are used for

procedures

elderly and very young

sensitive to heat and cold, higher risk of falls, susceptible to infection

maslow

created hierarchy of needs

hierarchy of needs

1. self-actualization
2. esteem
3. love/belonging
4. safety
5. physiological

write it once system

eleminates typing, computerized bookkeeping

ALWAYS answer the phone

before three rings

making a derogatory statement about the practices of another medical group to a new patient is liable under the tort of

defamation

subpoena duces tecum is a legal order that

holds the physician responsible for the actions of the medical assistant

contractual

the relationship between the physician and patient in a legal sense

restricitve endorsement

the check endorsements that classify “deposit only”

procedure manual

medical office procedures and policies with complete details and instructions

SOAP

subjective, objective, assessment, plans

privleged communications

legal confidental information gained during the existence of the physician-patient relationship

administrative, clinical, general

three broad areas of practice for the medical assistant as identified by the role delineation study

electrocardiogram (ECG)

used to understand the electrical conduction pattern in the muscles of the heart

hemostats

curved/straight instruments, striated at the ends; use dto clamp blood vessels to stop bleeding/grasp tissue

laryngeal mirror

instrument with mirror on one end; used to examine larynx in the throat

auscultation

physician listens to sounds coming from within patient’s body

cheyne-stokes respiration

a breathing pattern marked by a period of apnea lasting 10 to 60 seconds, followed by gradually increasing depth and frequency of respirations

wet mount

a method of adding liquid, usually saline or formalin, to a specimen on a slide for examination and preservation

six Cs of charting

* clients words- the patients own phrasing must be recorded exactly. \n •Clarity—Use precise medical terminology. \n •Completeness—The chart must contain all pertinent information. \n •Conciseness—Use abbreviations where you can to save time and space. \n •Chronological order—Date all entries \n •Confidentiality—Protect the patient's privacy

personal information

information in the record that the patient supplies which includes routine information about the patient, family history, past medical history and chief complaint

mensuration

the act or process of measuring

hemocytometer

counting chamber used to perform a manual white blood count

cerumen

earwax; protects eardrum

asepsis

absence of disease-producing microorganisms or pathogens

culture specimen

obtained when a doctor wants to identify the causative agent of a disease

filing steps

1. inspect
2. index
3. code
4. sort
5. store

aerobe

organism that grows with oxygen

anaerobe

organism that grows without oxygen

nosocomial

infection is one acquired by an individual in a healthcare facility

ascariasis

live in small intestine and can cause obstruction

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

affords the patient the option of using network or non-network physicians and hospitals

autoclaving

•sterilization of instruments w steam under pressure \n • items remain sterile for 30 days (dry & intact) \n • 15 pounds of pressure per square inch \n • 250°-270° \n •wrapped in double thickness or muslin

repression

forcing of unacceptable or painful ideas, feelings and impulses into the unconscious mind without being aware of it

suppression

condition where the person becomes involved in a project, hobby, or work on purpose so that a painful situation can be avoided (relationships)

tort

any number of actions done by one person or group of people that cause injury to another

emancipated minor

individual no longer under the care, custody, or supervision of parents

copayment

a specified amount which the insured must pay toward the charge for professional services rendered

deductible

A predetermined amount that the insured must pay each year for the insurance company will pay for an accident or illness

claim

a request for payment under an insurance organization made by either the physician (medical assistant) or the patient

slander

someone tells one or more persons an untruth about another which untruth will harm the reputation of the person defamed

assault

deliberate attempt or threat to touch without consent

battery

unauthorized touching of another person

malingering

pretending to be sick in order to avoid dealing with situations that are unpleasant

suture scissors

Used to cut sutures during suture removal

thumb forceps

Special tissue forceps \n Hold and easily release tissue with a simple finger motion (tweezers)

myopia

nearsightedness; lack of foresight