Medical Assisting: Clinical Skills, Safety & Procedures

What position is used for a pelvic examination?

Lithotomy position

What type of shock results from severe blood or fluid loss?

Hypovolemic shock

Which characteristic of pulse describes the strength of blood flow?

Volume

How do you calculate heart rate on a regular ECG rhythm using small boxes?

Divide 1,500 by the number of small boxes between R waves

How far should a patient stand from the Snellen eye chart?

20 feet (or 10 feet with a calibrated chart/mirror setup)

What test screens for red-green color vision deficiency?

Ishihara test

Which instrument is used to cut sutures?

Scissors

What process removes visible dirt and reduces microbes on instruments before disinfection?

Cleaning or sanitization

What type of room is appropriate for discussing private patient concerns?

Consultation office

What can cause pale or clay-colored stool?

Bile duct obstruction

What should a patient do during a hearing test when a tone is no longer audible?

Signal that the sound can no longer be heard

What does an arrhythmia mean?

Irregular heartbeat

How long should hands be scrubbed with soap and water according to CDC guidance?

At least 20 seconds

What process destroys many disease-causing microorganisms on surfaces, but not necessarily spores?

Disinfection

What coding system describes medical procedures and services?

CPT

What formatting is generally appropriate for a sender name on a business envelope?

Use standard capitalization rather than all capital letters unless required by format

Which areas commonly transmit microorganisms if personal hygiene is neglected?

Hands and hair

What type of medical practice generally has one physician owner?

Single-provider practice

Why should distilled water be used in equipment that requires it?

To prevent mineral deposits from tap water

What condition causes excessive iron accumulation in the body?

Hemochromatosis

Which federal program primarily covers people age 65 and older?

Medicare

What imaging test evaluates blood flow in vessels?

Doppler ultrasound

Which eye examination uses drops to widen the pupils?

Dilated eye exam

How many minutes are in one hour?

60 minutes

What is the first step in reprocessing reusable instruments?

Cleaning or sanitization

Which task helps patients understand diagnoses, procedures, and self-care?

Patient education

When should a routine message from a patient be routed according to common office expectations?

The same day, according to office policy

What can cause hemolysis of a blood specimen?

Shaking the collection tube vigorously

Which healthcare professional practices medicine under a collaborative or supervisory arrangement as required by state law?

Physician assistant

Which condition is commonly associated with elevated blood glucose?

Diabetes mellitus

How long should certain medical records be retained?

Follow applicable state/federal law and facility policy; there is no universal 3-to-5-year rule

What is the main message portion of a business letter called?

Body of the letter

A female patient has a hematocrit of 32%. Is this generally low or normal?

Low; may indicate anemia

What does hematocrit measure?

Percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells

What should be used for handwashing when hands are visibly soiled?

Soap and water

What linens should be handled with appropriate biohazard precautions?

Linens soiled with blood or other potentially infectious bodily fluids

Where in the medical history are prior illnesses and surgeries recorded?

Past medical history

What is the medical term for fainting?

Syncope

Which patient position involves lying face down?

Prone position

Why is patient education about prevention important?

To avoid future recurrences and complications

Which cardiac region is commonly assessed by lateral precordial ECG leads?

Left ventricle

Which size speculum might be selected for a particular examination?

Size 2 (depends on instrument and patient; follow clinician direction)

What route is used for a tuberculin skin test?

Intradermal

Which vitamin is essential for normal vision, especially in low light?

Vitamin A

How can skin irritation from transdermal patches be reduced?

Rotate the patch application site as directed

What is a common raised skin lesion caused by human papillomavirus?

Wart

What method does an autoclave use to sterilize instruments?

Moist heat under pressure

Whose instructions should be followed when operating and maintaining medical equipment?

Manufacturer instructions

What should a patient avoid while wearing a Holter monitor to prevent interference?

Electric blankets and other sources of electromagnetic interference, as instructed

What color is the sodium citrate coagulation blood collection tube?

Light blue

Which process includes assessing, cleansing and dressing a wound?

Wound care

Which organ stores urine?

Bladder

Is a respiratory rate of 19 breaths per minute normal for a resting adult?

Yes; usual adult range is 12-20/min

What Erikson developmental stage is associated with adolescence?

Identity vs. role confusion

How can patients securely view lab results and communicate with their care team online?

Patient portal

Which vascular disease involves narrowing of arteries supplying the brain?

Carotid artery disease

What is a strong, forceful pulse called?

Bounding pulse

What is an exaggerated immune response to a substance called?

Hypersensitivity

What federal law provides protections for certain employees who report wrongdoing?

Whistleblower Protection Act

What device helps support a patient while walking or transferring?

Gait belt

How far above the pressure at which the radial pulse disappears should a blood pressure cuff typically be inflated?

About 20-30 mm Hg

Which isolation precaution is used for pulmonary tuberculosis?

Airborne precautions

What rapid test can measure hematocrit in urgent situations?

STAT or point-of-care hematocrit test

What is the immediate response to a chemical splash in the eye?

Flush with water for at least 15 minutes and follow emergency protocol

Is a blood pressure of 150/95 mm Hg elevated?

Yes; it meets stage 2 hypertension range

What service provides medical care in a patient's residence?

Home health care

What should an assistant do if a patient is receiving a nonurgent visit from clergy when blood collection is due?

Respect privacy and return after caring for other patients if clinically appropriate

What is needed to monitor temperatures in a medication refrigerator and freezer?

A suitable thermometer or temperature monitoring device in each compartment

Which type of information is included in a patient's medical record?

Laboratory test results

What disease is commonly screened for with a tuberculin skin test?

Tuberculosis

What is a common responsibility of a histology laboratory?

Receive and prepare tissue specimens for processing

Convert 37.6°C to Fahrenheit.

99.7°F (approximately)

What document explains how an insurance claim was processed and paid?

Remittance advice

What therapeutic communication technique restates the patient's message?

Reflection

What is a useful feature of electronic practice-management software?

Ability to generate reports

What abbreviation historically meant once daily?

QD; avoid using it in prescriptions because it is error-prone—write daily

What instrument measures joint range of motion?

Goniometer

Which allergy test uses allergens applied to the skin under patches?

Patch testing

Who can authorize prescription refills?

An authorized prescriber; office staff must follow the prescriber's directions

How should contaminated linens be handled?

Use appropriate PPE and place in designated leak-resistant laundry bags; do not automatically discard as biohazard waste

What is bank reconciliation?

Matching practice financial records against the bank statement

What communication technique repeats or rephrases a patient's feelings?

Reflection

What does QD mean in older medical abbreviations?

Every day

Which treatment is used for Graves' disease?

Radioactive iodine therapy targeting the thyroid gland

What defense mechanism uses plausible explanations to justify upsetting facts?

Rationalization

Which defense mechanism involves refusing to accept a diagnosis?

Denial

A patient's hemoglobin is 7 g/dL. What should the assistant do first?

Notify the provider immediately

Within what time should a fresh urine specimen generally be analyzed if not refrigerated?

Within 1 hour when possible; many protocols allow up to 2 hours

In which abdominopelvic quadrant is most of the duodenum located?

Right upper quadrant

Which intake form contains patient demographic information?

Patient registration form

What is the first step in the RACE fire-response acronym?

Rescue or remove people in immediate danger

Which agency regulates controlled-substance prescriptions, including electronic prescribing rules?

DEA

What is the correct order of RACE in fire safety?

Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate

What does a low hemoglobin value commonly suggest?

Anemia or blood loss; urgent evaluation may be needed

What are the five rights of medication administration?

Right patient, medication, dose, route, and time

What is the usual angle for an intradermal injection?

5-15 degrees

What is the usual angle for an intramuscular injection?

90 degrees

What is the usual angle for a subcutaneous injection?

45-90 degrees depending on needle and tissue

What is the standard order of draw for evacuated blood collection tubes?

Blood cultures, light blue, serum, green, lavender/pink, gray

What does the P wave represent on an ECG?

Atrial depolarization